History of Iberico Sausages
To understand the historical origin of Iberico sausages, we need to look back across centuries of Iberian history as a slow process of development occurred across the peninsula. It's quite likely that the Iberico ham we know today is the most important gastronomic heritage we have from ancient times, predating even classical antiquity.
It's impossible to think of Iberico sausages and ham without thinking of salt. It's known that the use of salt dates back at least to the 3rd millenium BC in Egypt, though it's probably even older. The discovery of salt was a revolution in food because it allowed for preservation with much more flavor. Prior to this, it was only possible to preserve foods by smoking them, which didn't make for nuances of aroma.
Once the technique of salt preservation reached the ears of Iberian herders and traders, it took off in a big way!
Iberico sausages: famous the world over
The first document we have that mentions Iberico sausages - pernae, in Latin - was written by Cato in the third century BC. Cato described the procedure for curing hams and sausages in some detail, discussing salting, marinating and curing practices similar to those we see today.
It's clear that the ham culture Cato was describing was new to him, but already ancient to its practitioners, and we know that to the ancient Celtic inhabitants of the Iberian peninsula, pork was one of the most highly valued table meats and had high economic value.
Spanish hams curing in a cellar
Later documents make clear that ancient Romans were great fans of Iberico sausages and ham, and regularly consumed Iberico sausages and hams from the Iberian peninsula with great relish.
After the fall of Rome, it turned out that the Visigoths, too, were partial to ham, and with the arrival of Christianity, ham and pork products generally took on new significance, being forbidden to the two main other religious groups in the Iberian peninsula, Jews and Muslims. As a result of this division, pork butchers were sometimes elevated to the status of defenders of the faith!
Chorizo lightens up
Other sausages like chorizo, salami or loin sausage show up in ancient texts to: we can find references to them in Aristophanes, for instance. However, they did not become truly popular until the sixteenth century, when previously unknown spices from the East began to arrive in Spanish ports,including pepper and paprika.
Paprika, a vital ingredient in many Iberico sausages
It is from this moment that Spanish chorizo began to stand out from the similar products of other countries in Iberia. The innovative flavor, aroma and red color that accompanied the use of paprika as a major ingredient meant that these products became much sought-after. Regions also began to diversify and specialize, each one being famous for its own unique sausages, something that is still true today.
There are numerous historical anecdotes referencing the popularity of Iberico sausage, including one about Alfonso XII who was passionate about Iberico salchichon and always made sure to buy several kilos whenever he was in Vic.
New discoveries, new flavors
With the advent of the Industrial Revolution and the emergence of devices such as the grinder and stuffer, together with the discovery of techniques to improve the preservation of raw meat and other materials, the Iberico sausage industry was transfigured. Most of the change was in quality rather than speed, however, since it's impossible to make a real Iberico sausage fast! If the traditional steps aren't followed, the result simply isn't up to standard.
A grinder and stuffer for making Iberico sausage
In fact, scientific and technical advances have allowed producers to create ever-better sausages. Partly this is due to scientific study of traditional methods, enabling producers to streamline and focus their methods on the practices that work the best. Now, from field through slaughterhouse to sausage, the best combination of species, time and seasonings are known far better than before.
However, it's still the traditional curing process that makes an Iberico sausage the product that millions love all over the world and a hallmark of Iberico culture.
Tout sur le jambon
Contenu
- 1 Types de jambon Pata Negra
- 2 Comment consommer du jambon Pata Negra
- 3 Couper le Jambon Pata Negra
- 4 Comment conserver le jambon Pata Negra
- 5 Association du jambon Pata Negra
- 6 Loi sur la qualité du jambon Pata Negra
- 7 La Dehesa
- 8 Appellations d'origine du jambon Pata Negra
- 9 Les propriétés nutritionnelles du jambon Pata Negra de bellota
- 10 Recettes avec du jambon ibérique
- 11 Différences entre le jambon Pata Negra et le jambon Serrano
- 12 Différences entre épaule et jambon Pata Negra
- 13 Différences entre jambon Pata Negra et jambon serrano
- 14 Jambon Pata Negra et ses concurrents dans le monde
- 15 Propriétés nutritionnelles du jambon Pata Negra
- 16 Appellation d'origine contrôlée du jambon Pata Negra
- 17 Zones de production du jambon espagnol et du jambon Pata Negra
- 18 Jambon coupé à la main ou à la machine
- 19 Musées du jambon Pata Negra dans le monde
- 20 Dégustation de jambon Pata Negra : tous les secrets
- 21 Route du jambon Pata Negra
- 22 Le jambon Pata Negra ibérique nourri aux glands et son accompagnement idéal
- 23 Processus de production de la charcuterie ibérique
- 24 Histoire de la charcuterie ibérique
- 25 TVA du jambon espagnol: questions et réponses
- 26 Le jambon espagnol dans la littérature
- 27 Curiosités du jambon pata negra
- 28 Comment conserver le jambon serrano
- 29 Réglements sur la qualité du jambon serrano
- 30 Fabrication du jambon serrano
- 31 Appellations d'origine du jambon serrano
- 32 Propriétés nutritionnelles du jambon serrano
- 33 Recettes avec du jambon serrano
- 34 Types de jambon serrano
- 35 Association du jambon serrano
- 36 Comment consommer le jambon serrano
- 37 Découper le jambon serrano
- 38 Tous les secrets sur la dégustation du jambon pata negra
- 39 Comment choisir un bon porte jambon
- 40 Quel est le meilleur jambon pata negra ?
- 41 Le terme jambon pata negra est-il correct ?
- 42 Jambon pata negra et la Dehesa
- 43 Les secrets de l'association du jambon pata negra
- 44 Comment savoir quel jambon acheter ?
- 45 Pourquoi le bon jambon est-il si cher ?
- 46 Comment acheter du jambon sur des boutiques en ligne ?
- 47 Mythes et réalités, les bienfaits du jambon et ses préjugés
- 48 Le jambon ibérique pata negra fait-il grossir ?
- 49 Que faire de l’os du jambon ?
- 50 Pourquoi les jambons sont-ils suspendus ?
- 51 Jambon et grossesse : Peut-on inclure le jambon ibérique pata negra dans l’alimentation des femmes enceintes ?
- 52 Le rôle du jambon dans la croissance et le développement des enfants
- 53 Les conseils pour conserver le jambon
- 54 Qu’est-ce que l’affinage du jambon et pourquoi le pratique-t-on ?
- 55 Nouvelles technologies et jambon – La résonance magnétique dans la dégustation du jambon
- 56 Le porc ibérique commence à migrer
- 57 Charcuterie : origine, composition et classification
- 58 Préparation des jambons et des épaules
- 59 Guide de dégustation du jambon ibérique
- 60 Les éléments qui différencient la qualité des jambons et des charcuteries « ibériques »
- 61 La carte du jambon en Espagne
- 62 Propriétés de la graisse du jambon ibérique
- 63 Comment transporter du jambon ibérique et d’autres aliments sur les vols internationaux ?
- 64 Prévalence des agents pathogènes et avantages des acides organiques dans la production porcine