How to choose the best Iberian ham First of all, when choosing ham, it is the simplest and most clear to look at the color of the label on the ham sausage. Black, red, green and white represent from good to bad in turn.
Black label: absolutely superior meat, 100% pure Iberian pork, grown up eating acorns.
Red label: It is not pure Iberian pork, but maybe 75% or 50% Iberian hybrid pig, but it is completely free-range and grows up eating acorns.
Green label: The meat quality of artificially raised Iberian pork may be 100% pure Iberian pig, 75% or 50%, and the feeding environment is open and free-range.
White label: Iberian pigs are still raised artificially. The only difference from the green label is that these pigs are kept in captivity.
Another criterion for judging ham is the color of trotters. It would be nice if it were black, but it's not the only criterion for testing fine pork. Another criterion is to look at the diameter between pig's trotters and pig's ankles. This part is thin, indicating that the pig breed is good and the quality is higher.
Another way is to look at the origin of these hams. There is no doubt about it. When you get the ham, if the label says D.O Guijuelo, D.O. Estremadura, D.O. Jabugo, Y or C? Rdoba (D.O Los Pedroches Chess), these places are famous areas that produce high-grade Iberian ham, so they represent high quality.
Another way to identify whether it is good pork is to look at the texture of fat. Gently press the fat surface with your thumb. Be careful. If the fat surface is soft and sinks at once, it means that the pig grew up eating acorns.
If it is sliced ham, it can also be identified by looking at the texture of fat: tear off a little fat and put it in the palm of your hand. If the fat melts with the body temperature, it means that it is an excellent Iberian pig that grew up eating acorns.
And from the color point of view, the darker the ham, the better the quality of the pig.
If you are really too lazy to read my advice, then, local tyrants, you will choose the most expensive one, absolutely!