Jamón Serrano is a category of cured hams from the white pig (unlike Iberian jamón), represented by the brands Montesano, Jamón Serrano Del Abuelo, Pesón and Juvilles. A particular feature of the range is Jamón Serrano Trevélez from the Sierra Nevada mountains, a region renowned for cold mountain air ideal for the slow curing of hams. The range includes whole bone-in hams weighing 6-7.8 kg, the smaller paleta of 4-4.5 kg and packaged 100 g slices, in the Reserva and Gran Reserva ageing categories. A number of the products are sold directly in a set with a stand and a knife, which makes slicing at home for the first time easier.
How to find your way around this category
Jamón Serrano does not follow a colour standard like Iberian jamón, but is designated according to ageing time. Reserva ages for a shorter time, while Gran Reserva ages longer and has a more complex flavour. Trevélez is a speciality from the Alpujarra region in the Sierra Nevada, where the altitude and cold mountain climate create ideal conditions for slow curing.
For a first experience of slicing a whole ham at home, the sets with a stand and a knife are a good fit, and for quick consumption the packaged slices.
Jamón Serrano - how to choose
Product
Weight
Ageing
Recommended use
Jamon Serrano Gran Reserva Extremadura, Montesano
7-7.8 kg
Gran Reserva
Slicing at home, longer use
Jamon Serrano Reserva, Jamón Serrano Del Abuelo
6-6.5 kg
Reserva, 14-18 months
Slicing at home, set with a stand
Paleta Serrana, Pesón
4-4.5 kg
Reserva
Smaller households
Jamón Serrano Trevélez
according to packaging
Traditional mountain curing
Tasting a regional speciality
You will always find the exact ageing time and weight of a particular piece in the product description, because this is a natural product with natural variations.
Why Trevélez is exceptional
Trevélez is a mountain village in the Sierra Nevada range in the Alpujarra region, renowned for the traditional production of cured hams for centuries. The high altitude and dry, cold mountain climate create natural conditions for the slow curing of meat without the need for artificial refrigeration, which gives the hams their characteristic flavour. Jamón Serrano Trevélez is one of the regional specialities with a protected geographical indication.
Sets with a stand and a knife are a practical choice if you want to slice a whole ham at home for the first time - they contain everything you need to get started.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between jamón serrano and jamón ibérico?
Jamón serrano is made from the white pig and does not follow the colour standard of labels like Iberian jamón. It is usually more affordable and less fatty, with a milder, less nutty flavour.
What does Gran Reserva mean on a jamón serrano?
Gran Reserva designates a longer ageing time than the basic Reserva version, which gives the ham a more complex and more intense flavour.
Why is Jamón Serrano Trevélez special?
It comes from the Sierra Nevada mountains, where the cold mountain climate and high altitude create ideal natural conditions for the slow curing of hams without artificial refrigeration.
What does the set with a stand and a knife contain?
A complete set for slicing at home - the whole ham, a stand (jamonero) to hold it and a knife for thin slices.
Does Jamón Serrano keep as long as Iberian jamón?
Once cut into, it keeps for a similar length of time with correct storage (a dry, cool place, the cut surface covered), a matter of weeks, just like Iberian jamón.
The ageing time (Reserva vs. Gran Reserva) and the weight. Also: longer ageing means a more complex flavour and usually a higher price.
What we base this on
On the tradition of curing hams in the Sierra Nevada region and on information from the producers Montesano and Jamón Serrano Del Abuelo. Also: we verify the specific ageing time on the individual products.
Where the limits are
The exact weight varies from piece to piece, as this is a natural product. Also: you will always find the current parameters in the product detail.
What this category does not cover
Neither Iberian hams nor accessories outside the sets with a stand. Also: you will find those in the Jamón Ibérico de Bellota, de Cebo and Accessories categories.