Frequently Asked Questions
Browse our FAQs for quick answers about our products, ordering process, shipping options, and more. If you don't find what you're looking for, please don't hesitate to contact us.
ORDERS
If your order hasn't been shipped, no problem! Just let us know by email or WhatsApp and we'll fix it.
If it's already been shipped, it's a bit more complicated, especially if the delivery postal code needs to be changed. In any case, you can contact FedEx using the tracking email you receive when your order is shipped.
If you have any further issues, please contact us at info@jamonarium.com
We have several payment methods available: Credit or debit card, Bank Transfer, PayPal or Bizum (only for Spain)
To place an order and pay by bank transfer, simply select this method as your payment option.
Once you confirm your order, we will send you two emails: one confirming your order (please check that everything is correct) and another with our bank details so you can make the transfer.
As soon as the transfer is received in our bank account, we will ship your order.
When you have a discount coupon, you must add it in the first step of the Shopping Cart.
You must click on the text "Add your discount code", enter your coupon in the box that appears, and click the "Add" button.
SHIPPING AND DELIVERY
We ship to all of Europe: Spain, Portugal, Germany, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, Austria, Luxembourg, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Slovakia, Croatia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Malta, Monaco, Cyprus, Switzerland and Norway.
Orders to mainland Spain are delivered within 24 to 48 business hours from the shipping date.
Shipments to other European Union countries (including Switzerland and Norway) take between 2 and 8 business days from the shipping date with our Standard service. With our Express service, you will receive your order within 24-48 business hours from the shipping date (not available for Portugal, the Balearic Islands, Switzerland, and Norway).
You can see approximate shipping times and costs HERE.
Shipping costs are automatically calculated in the shopping cart on our website based on the total weight of your order and the destination country.
If you want to see an estimate of what it might cost, click HERE.
Since both countries are outside the European Economic Area, all orders are considered exports, so you won't pay Spanish VAT when ordering from Jamonarium.
Before delivery to the destination country, the shipping company or import services in the destination country will contact you to arrange payment of any applicable taxes and customs duties.
Export processing costs are included in our shipping price.
TYPES OF HAM
The main difference lies in the breed of pig, its diet, and the curing time: Jamón Ibérico comes from native Iberian pigs cured for 24 to 48 months, while Jamón Serrano comes from white pigs (the pink ones) cured for 12 to 18 months. The Iberian pig has the unique genetic ability to infiltrate fat within the muscle, giving the ham an incomparable juiciness, aroma, and flavor compared to the leaner, more uniform meat of Jamón Serrano.
The *Bellota* (acorn-fed) ham comes from pigs that fatten up exclusively on acorns and natural pasture in the *dehesa* (oak woodland) during the *montanera* season. The *Cebo de Campo* (field-fed) variety combines free-range grazing with selected feed.
The Iberian Quality Standard (ASICI) classifies hams using four tamper-proof colored seals that guarantee their breed purity and diet:
Black Label: 100% Ibérico de Bellota (Acorn-Fed Iberian). 100% purebred Iberian pigs, raised free-range in the dehesa (pastureland) and fed exclusively on acorns during the montanera (acorn season) and pastures.
Red Label: Ibérico de Bellota (50% or 75% Iberian breed). Crossbred pigs, raised free-range and fed on acorns during the montanera season and on pasture.
Green Label: Cebo de Campo (50%, 75%, or 100% Iberian breed). Pigs raised on farms and in the fields and fed on natural pastures, cereal feed, and some acorns.
White Label: Cebo Ibérico (50%, 75%, or 100% Iberian breed). Pigs raised on intensive farms and fed exclusively on cereal feed.
Legally, the designation "Pata Negra" is reserved exclusively for hams and shoulders with a Black Label, meaning they are 100% Ibérico de Bellota. No other ham, however cured or excellent it may be, can use the term "Pata Negra" on its label or in its marketing if it does not meet the 100% breed purity and acorn-fed diet for free-range pigs.
BUY HAM
The choice of format depends on how often you consume it and the tools you have at home:
Whole Piece: Recommended for families who eat it daily, for special occasions, or for those who enjoy the ritual of hand-carving with a ham holder. If there are up to two people in your household, a shoulder ham (paleta) would be the recommended piece. If there are three or more of you, a leg ham (jamón) should be your choice.
Boneless Piece: Perfect for those who have a deli slicer at home (although it can also be easily sliced by hand with a sharp knife) or are looking for compact storage in the refrigerator.
Vacuum-Packed Slices: The ideal format for those who want hassle-free, open-and-serve. Zero waste, precise 100g portions, and preservation for months. It's the most versatile format and the easiest to store and consume.
The net meat yield in a whole Iberian ham is around 50% of its total weight, while in an Iberian shoulder ham (paleta Ibérica), the yield is around 40%. The remaining percentage corresponds to the bone, hoof, and outer rind or protective fat, which is not suitable for direct consumption (although some of the bones and trimmed fat can be used for flavorful broths).
- Whole: Perfect if you want the traditional hand-carving ritual and plan to consume it within 1–2 months.
- Boneless: Ideal if you have an electric slicer at home or want to make the most of the boneless piece. It can also be sliced on a board using a very sharp knife.
- Sliced / Whole Sliced: The most practical option for consuming at your own pace; it comes in 100g packs so you don't have to worry about it drying out.
The shoulder ham comes from the front legs of the pig (average weight of 4 to 6 kg and 18-36 months of curing), while the ham comes from the hind legs (average weight of 7 to 9 kg and 24-48 months of curing).
Due to its smaller size and closer proximity to the bone, the shoulder ham has a higher percentage of fat, which gives it a powerful, direct, and cured flavor; the ham, on the other hand, is easier to carve, offers a greater variety of flavor profiles (maza, babilla, punta), and a higher quantity of lean meat.
Iberian ham has a higher cost per kilo due to its longer curing process and superior yield.
PRESERVATION AND CONSUMPTION OF HAM
A whole, uncut ham or shoulder should be removed immediately from its shipping packaging and stored hanging or on its ham holder in a cool, dry, and dark place at a temperature between 15°C and 20°C. It should not be stored inside the cardboard box, in plastic bags, or in places exposed to direct sunlight or near heat sources (ovens, radiators, etc.).
Once opened, the cut surface should be covered with a clean, opaque cotton cloth to protect it from light. It can also be covered with plastic wrap, but not for long, as mold may develop since it does not breathe.
We recommend consuming a whole ham within 6 to 8 weeks of opening (3 to 4 weeks in the case of shoulder hams) to enjoy its freshness and original flavor notes without organoleptic loss due to excessive drying.
(Technical note: We advise against the popular myth of covering the cut with the ham's own yellow fat, as this fat quickly turns rancid in open air and imparts an unpleasant flavor to the fresh meat.)
Once opened, the sachets should be kept in the refrigerator for 4-6 days. They can be stored in the same sachet with a clip or, better yet, in a Tupperware container to allow for slower drying.
The recommended time depends on how quickly you consume the ham at home:
If consumption will be slow (more than 4 weeks at home): Place the ham on the stand with the hoof facing down, starting with the shank (the narrowest and most cured part). This will prevent this drier area from becoming excessively hard while you consume the main part.
If the ham will be consumed quickly (events, parties, or large families in less than 2-3 weeks): Place the ham with the hoof facing upwards to start with the maza (the widest, juiciest, and most marbled part), serving the best slices at the peak of the event.
ABOUT SAUSAGES
If you consume it regularly, enjoy hand-slicing it, and want to control the thickness, the whole piece is ideal. If you prioritize convenience—with ready-to-open 100g packs and long-lasting freshness without the risk of drying out—choose the vacuum-packed, pre-sliced option.
High-quality cured sausages use natural casings (from pigs or cattle), making them technically edible. However, it is best to peel them before slicing or eating to fully enjoy the pure texture of the meat and spices.
*Salchichón* and *lomo ibérico* (cured pork loin) are the mildest options, seasoned primarily with salt, pepper, and garlic. *Chorizo* and *morcón* contain paprika, giving them a more intense, spicy flavor.
They are distinguished by their curing climate (cold and dry, due to high altitude) and a traditional smoking process using oak or holm oak wood. This imparts a distinctive, rustic aroma; *Chorizo de León* and beef *cecina* are the standout products in this category.
ABOUT THE CHEESES
The difference lies in the aging time in the cellar. *Semicurado* (semi-cured) ages for 2 to 3 months (soft, creamy texture); *curado* (cured) for 4 to 7 months (intense flavor); *viejo* (aged) for 7 to 12 months; and *añejo* (extra-aged) for over 12 months (hard, crumbly texture and sharp flavor).
To be classified as Manchego, it must be made exclusively from the milk of Manchega sheep, aged in the Castilla-La Mancha region, and bear two mandatory marks: a casein plaque embedded in the rind and the numbered back label from the Regulatory Council.
Ideally, store it in the lower section (vegetable drawer) of the refrigerator at temperatures between 4 and 8°C. Wrap only the cut surface in wax paper or plastic wrap, leaving the rind exposed so the cheese can "breathe." An airtight cheese container with a piece of dry bread inside also helps regulate humidity.
With hard cheeses (cured, sheep's milk), the appearance of surface mold is a natural process. Simply remove a thin layer (approximately half a centimeter) of the affected area with a knife; the rest of the wedge is perfectly safe and ready to eat.
ABOUT THE GOURMET PRODUCTS
Foie gras is made exclusively from duck or goose liver, offering a delicate, rich flavor and a completely buttery texture. Pâté, on the other hand, is a paste that combines various meats (such as pork or poultry), liver, spices, and other ingredients.
Store it in the refrigerator, but take it out about 15–20 minutes before serving so it can come to room temperature and release its aromas. Unlike pâté, foie gras should not be spread; ideally, cut small portions with a smooth-bladed knife (dipped in hot water beforehand) and place them gently onto toasted bread.
*Ventresca* (belly fillet) comes from the fish's belly and is characterized by higher fat marbling (rich in Omega-3s). This gives it an exceptionally tender, melt-in-the-mouth texture. The loin, by contrast, is the upper section; it is leaner and firmer, with a milder flavor.
This is a completely natural phenomenon and a mark of quality. Extra virgin olive oil (or the fish's own fat) solidifies or "congeals" at low temperatures. Simply leave the tin at room temperature for about 15 minutes before opening so the oil returns to its liquid, glossy state.
ABOUT OLIVE OILS
Arbequina oil is mild, sweet, and fruity, with barely any bitterness or pungency; it is ideal for delicate salads, mayonnaise, and baking. Picual oil has an intense character, featuring herbaceous notes and a slight peppery kick and bitterness on the finish; it is perfect for toast, stews, and frying due to its high heat resistance.
A *coupage* is a master blend of two or more olive varieties (such as Hojiblanca and Cornicabra). The goal of the oil mill is to combine the best qualities of each type to create a balanced, complex oil with a unique flavor profile.
For raw consumption, intense varieties like Picual or the elegant Manzanilla add plenty of character. For frying and slow-cooked stews, Picual and Cornicabra are exceptional because they do not break down at high temperatures. Arbequina shines in dishes where you do not want to mask the flavor of the main ingredient.
This guarantees that the olive trees have been cultivated without pesticides or synthetic chemical fertilizers, respecting the land's natural cycles. It ensures the utmost purity of the olive juice and a total commitment to sustainability.
ABOUT THE ACCESSORIES
The rotating holder features a bushing that allows the leg to be turned 360° without loosening the clamp or dismantling the unit. A fixed holder requires unscrewing the clamp to manually rotate the ham when switching cutting areas.
The tilting holder allows you to adjust the longitudinal angle of the ham. It is ideal if you want to ergonomically adapt the cutting height to your posture or if you slice ham frequently.
Wipe down the exterior with a cloth dampened with warm water and mild soap to remove any grease residue. For natural wood ham holders, avoid submerging them in water to prevent the wood from absorbing moisture or warping.
Wood provides an aesthetic, warm, and traditional look for the home. Stainless steel and high-density polyethylene offer superior base stability, extreme durability, and impeccable hygiene, making them the preferred choice for the hospitality industry or heavy use.
ABOUT THE GIFTS CATEGORY
No, never. All orders are shipped without sales receipts or price tags. Invoices are generated digitally only and are sent to the buyer's email or made available for download via their customer account.
Yes. During the checkout process, you can write a personalized message or card at no extra cost. We print the text neatly and include it inside the gift box so the recipient sees it upon opening.
Products are presented in high-quality boxes, arranged elegantly and securely. Fragile items (such as wine bottles or glass jars) are anchored and immobilized to ensure they arrive in perfect condition.
Yes. For corporate gift sets sent to multiple clients or employees, we offer a personalized logistics management service. You simply need to provide us with the list of addresses, and we coordinate all individual shipments.
