We already know that they are one of our star products, the 100% acorn-fed Iberian ham. But for us, the products are like the people who make them, and Ibéricos Maldonado are exactly as they should be, the best of the best.

• Ibérico Maldonado: Unbeatable, Wonderful
• An artisan and ancestral elaboration
• The ham, simply the best

Spain is a very lucky country, because it has no more and no less than four zones of the highest Iberian quality for its sausages, hams and meats. Guijuelo (Salamanca), Sierra de Huelva-Jabugo (Huelva), Pedroches Valley (Córdoba) And Extremadura meadow (Badajoz and Caceres). Let us imagine that France had four regions of the BURGUNDY, it would be awesome. Well, we have that blessing. And despite everything, our Iberians have not yet conquered the world, and it seems impossible that this has not already happened. They are unique products, of unparalleled quality and are also highly recommended (although like everything, in moderation).

Well that's what we're in for Made in Spain Gourmet, to help the best Spanish brands, those that do things very well, to get the recognition they deserve.

Ibérico Maldonado: Unbeatable, Wonderful

We are lovers of the Iberian pig, because of my Huelva roots (my parents are from the Sierra de Huelva) and xavi lahuerta, our Chef & Gastronomy Ambassador, had a professional journey in Badajoz that marked him forever. And the decision to choose a brand that would combine all the values ​​that we demand of our partners: quality, values, respect for the territory, the packaging, it was not easy at all.

In my case, I knew the product very well, but not the people, and that initially worried me, because we don't just want an excellent product, we want it all, that is, if there aren't people behind with human values ​​like professionalism, honesty and transparency, we understand that someday the product may fail. And we couldn't afford it. And that's when Xavi told Svetlana and me that the Iberian products that we should have in our online store were in Albuquerque, Badajoz, and they were called Iberico Maldonado. The best thing about the relationship with Xavi is that we understand each other almost with our eyes, and his smile after making the choice was enough to understand that we already had an Iberian brand in our project.

I was fortunate to meet Manuel Maldonado placeholder image, its CEO and owner in mid-2020, and then I understood Xavi's calm. His way of talking about pigs, about how important their lineage and their diet were, and that in Spain the 100% Iberian pig was still not really valued. He impressed me. He wished with all his soul to have that opportunity to market his products on our website. And Manuel granted it to us. It was an important moment for us, because we established a first-class relationship with the person who treasures highly recognized national and international prestige. As I always remember, life is about relationships and people, and finding the Iberian guru and being a businesses recognized for his he and his brand moved us. And now it was time for the best, to spread their products and their story on our channel.

An artisan and ancestral elaboration

What do we have in common with Iberico Maldonado? The most important thing is the origin of the products and in our case that of the relationship with people as well. La Dehesa Extremeña is a natural space touched with the divine barite, a perfect and balanced ecosystem, unique in the world, essential for superior quality production, such as that offered by Embutidos Maldonado.

Handmade products following ancient methods. Behind Manuel, we could say that there were up to 3 generations that have worked with the Iberian pig before him, and what he learned above all from his father Sebastian Maldonado, the importance that pigs contributed to the balance of the dehesa. And just in this 2022, 20 years ago he took the reins of the company, raising it to a professional level that is a reference in its sector in Spain.

Maldonado's facilities are in Alburquerque, Badajoz. And that includes the workshop and dryer, as well as its own slaughterhouse. In its own meadow it has different types of native species beyond the Iberian pig of selected lineage; It also has merino sheep and pronghorn oxen.

Maldonado acts, in fact, as a "loose verse" of those that contribute so much to the prestige of food quality in Spain, although his career and his approaches are not always understood by everyone. Manuel claims the extreme quality of the best lineages of pure Iberian breed, some ancestral, and with controlled DNA so as not to lose that lineage, a whole declaration of principles to simply offer the best product

Their sausages are easy to recognize, in the mouth of course, they have a different flavor, not only the quality of the meat is noticeable, but also the care with which those kings of the Dehesa have been cared for. That fat that is simply, blessed glory, and that differentiates its pigs from the rest. That is where it is understood how that pig has lived, in freedom, with the best food and in an unbeatable climate.

We chose for our website the candle sausage and sausage candle, which are made with the leanest and highest quality parts of the pig, to which seasonings and spices are added. The back in all its variants, bent, integer and tenderloin, as well as the sausage and campaign sausagewhat are some bestsellers!!

The ham, simply the best

Su ham 100% Iberian breed, they are our own “Stradivarius”, 100% Iberian breed, with a minimum curing time of 42 months. A great reserve that when you put it in the mouth, finite on the tongue and make it touch with the palate... its explosion of flavors leaves you speechless. With a process of craftsmanship always at the service of excellence. It's a ham awarded in the most prestigious international competitions. It is characterized by a delicious, slightly sweet and very balanced flavor. With an excellent texture and a special aroma of authentic pure acorn-fed ham. The Maldonado ham is one of our most outstanding gastronomic exponents, a true product delicatessen Spanish.

In addition, its presentation is at the same level as its interior, where we recommend it as a gift, in its 100-gram box, in two 50-gram envelopes cut with a knife.

The Spanish countryside where there is acorn is small, so there cannot be a market for 100% Iberian pigs that can grow exponentially. Because quality would be sacrificed (the food will not be the same, because other foods such as feed should be added and we would already talk about purity).

The brightness, the texture, the mellowness and that flavor are unique; are unique to these Maldonado pigs. Some pigs that fatten up to 180 kilos, and that are then dried and cured for 4 years. For what Maldonado has done and continues to do, a sacrifice to offer a product that makes others happy, that is professionalism and passion!

Long breeding and low productivity is, from the point of view of Maldonado, how to ensure quality. So it only remains to try it. You will not regret it.