Anything that’s not Iberian pork is known as white pork. Excellent quality ham can also be produced with a white pig. Physically, white pigs are usually larger whereas Iberian pigs have a much slenderer figure due to all the exercise done while developing.
As far as their breeding, an Iberian pig can only be found on the Iberian Peninsula while a white pig can be found anywhere in the world.
White pigs live on farms where intensive livestock rearing is carried out. Their diets are based on enriched feed. Products made from these pigs, specifically ham, is usually referred to as Serrano ham or cured ham with different names depending on the curing time: Serrano ham – minimum of 7 months Bodega (Cellar) ham – minimum of 9 months Reserva (Reserve) ham – a minimum of 12 months Gran reserva (Deluxe Reserve) ham – a minimum of 15 months
When it comes to Iberian pigs, there are two types: Iberico Cebo (Fodder-Fed) – a minimum of 24 months Iberico Bellota (Acorn-Fed) – a minimum of 24 months (although usually up to 36 months
Share it