The term "Dehesa" (pasture) refers to any forest area occupied by a wooded stratum, with a fraction of the ground area covered by the projection of the tree canopy of between 5% and 75%, composed mainly of holm oaks, cork oaks, gall oaks or wild olive trees, and occasionally by other trees, which allows the development of an essentially herbaceous stratum (pasture), for the use of livestock or game species. The dehesa is a characteristic agro-ecosystem and practically endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, occupying about 1.3 million hectares in Portugal, where it is called montados, and about 2.4 million hectares in Spain. The extension in Andalusia is around 1.2 million hectares (10-15% of the area of the community), located mainly along the Sierra Morena, where they have a high level of spatial continuity, which facilitates the connectivity of habitats; and to a lesser extent in the mountains of Cadiz and Malaga. Given their great ecological, economic and social value, their great extension and the threats that threaten them, a large part of this area also has some degree of protection, being included as a habitat of community interest in the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and forming part of the Natura 2000 Network. The Natural Parks Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche, Sierra Norte de Sevilla, Sierra de Hornachuelos, Sierra de Cardeña y Montoro, Sierra de Andújar, Los Alcornocales and Sierra de Grazalema stand out for their extension. International figures include the Dehesas de Sierra Morena Biosphere Reserve, the largest in Spain, and the Intercontinental Reserve of the Mediterranean, between Andalusia and Morocco, as well as the Geoparks of the Sierras Subbéticas and the Sierra Norte de Sevilla. The term "dehesa" appears in the Middle Ages, probably between the 10th and 12th centuries, used to designate those lands protected from the grazing of transhumant livestock and destined for the rest and grazing of the livestock of human settlements or feudal lords. However, most of today's wooded pastures were created between the 19th and 20th centuries from the clearing of the Mediterranean forest or from previously abandoned pastures to cover human food needs in an environment with seasonal and scarce resources.
Nowadays, the pasture is a system of multiple use of the territory originated by man, the result of experience and local knowledge. Through the clearing of the Mediterranean forest, the control of scrub and the promotion of a diverse herbaceous stratum, it has been possible to harmonize, in a fragile balance, the use of agriculture, livestock and forestry in an environment with not very fertile soils, not suitable for permanent agriculture, and a markedly seasonal climate, with critical periods for plants and animals. Within this difficult scenario, the dehesa has historically been a compromise between production and conservation, meeting human needs while generating biodiversity and many other ecosystem services.
Jamón Ibérico dry ham is a type of ham from the Iberian pig, much appreciated in the gastronomy of Spain often considered as an article of haute cuisine and gastronomic luxury. They are a star ingredient in the famous tapas.
Check our pata negra price and jamón iberico ham price here. Choose back (ham/jamón) or front (shoulder/paleta) from pigs reared in Jabugo/Huelva and Guijuelo/Salamanca.
The sausages are classified within the smoked products, and those of the Iberian pig result from a exceptional quality, texture and flavor. Pantanegra-Schinken.ch has selected for you three varieties of Iberian sausage with clearly differentiated characteristics, which will allow you to enjoy of its exquisite variety: Iberian lomo, Iberian chorizo and Iberian salchichón.
Olive oil is considered the cornerstone of the Mediterranean Diet, one of the most Healthy and varied in the world. A good olive oil, is not only capable of enriching with its flavor a great variety of dishes, but that, also, will contribute to your food important nutrients with great value for both your diet and your health.
Beyond the cured Iberian products, there is a great selection of Iberian meats of excellent quality to cook all kinds of tasty and healthy dishes. Minimum 100kg of Iberisches Schweinefleisch per order. Minimum 100kg of Iberian pork mean per order.
Based in Spain, the online spanish specialities shop of PataNegra-Schinken.ch, PataNegra-Jamon.es, PataNegra-Schinken.de, PataNegra-Jambon.fr, PataNegra-Prosciutto.it offer you the possibility to buy high quality Iberian ham from Switzerland, Spain, Germany, France and Italy. Now you have the possibility to delight yourself with products of recognized prestige and D.O. exclusive in Spain.
The differences of each product's classification are the following: