Bellota, cebo de campo and cebo: the four label colours explained

Since 2014 Spain has had a quality standard for everything called “ibérico”: ham (jamón), shoulder (paleta) and loin (lomo). That standard, Real Decreto 4/2014, sets which names may be used and requires a coloured label, so you can see at a glance what the pig ate and how Iberian it was.

The label has two parts

Every Ibérico ham label always states two things:

1. The feeding: de bellota, de cebo de campo or de cebo.
2. The breed percentage: 100% ibérico, or ibérico with the percentage of Iberian breed (75% or 50%).

So a full name reads, for example, Jamón de bellota 100% ibérico or Jamón de cebo de campo ibérico 50% raza ibérica.

The four colours

Black: bellota 100% ibérico

Purebred Iberian pigs that, in their final months, the montanera (roughly October to March), roam the dehesa freely and feed on acorns and grass. This is the top quality and the only ham that may be called pata negra under Spanish rules.

Red: bellota ibérico

The same diet in the dehesa, but from a cross: the pigs are 50% or 75% Iberian. Also an exceptional ham, often a little more affordable.

Green: cebo de campo ibérico

Iberian pigs raised outdoors on grains and legumes, plus grass and whatever they find in the field. A lot of flavour for a fair price.

White: cebo ibérico

Iberian pigs raised on the farm and fed grains and legumes. The entry into the world of Ibérico: mild and soft.

What the label does not tell you

• Where in Spain it comes from. That is what protected designations such as Guijuelo, Jabugo, Dehesa de Extremadura and Los Pedroches are for. They add their own rules on top of the colour code.
• The curing time. For a whole Ibérico ham it is at least 600 days, or 730 days at 7 kg or more. Many producers cure for longer.
• Whether the ham was sliced by hand or by machine.

Sliced ham in a pack

Sliced Ibérico ham must also carry the full name, with feeding and breed percentage. Always look at the full name on the pack, not just words like “ibérico” or “premium”.

Our Ibérico ham

• Jamón ibérico de bellota: black or red label
• Jamón ibérico de cebo de campo: green label
• Jamón ibérico de cebo: white label

Frequently asked questions

What does the black label on Ibérico ham mean? +

The black label stands for jamón de bellota 100% ibérico: a purebred Iberian pig that ate acorns and grass in the dehesa. It is the highest category and the only one that may be called 'pata negra'.

What is the difference between a black and a red label? +

Both are bellota: the pig ate acorns and grass in the dehesa. Black means the pig is 100% Iberian, red means 50% or 75% Iberian.

Is cebo de campo a good ham? +

Yes. Cebo de campo (green label) comes from Iberian pigs raised outdoors. It is full of flavour and the best value for everyday use.