Duroc: an on-trend breed of pigs used in Jamón de Teruel

Duroc This breed of pigs from the United States has been widely used throughout Europe for quite a while now. Back in 1988, it was included in the Official Breeds Catalogue for Spain. This pig is characterised by how well it adapts to warm climates and it is very productive with high quality meat that provides infiltrated fat in crossbreeds with other races. Consequently, for many years it has been used for Iberian crossbreeds and, according to the standard in force on cured ham, it is the only breed currently accepted for this purpose. In short, for a great many years, Duroc has been a very well-known breed in our country among both livestock breeders and meat producers.
However, the general public was not aware of its existence until recently when demand for Duroc products rose due to the quality of its meat. It originates from crossing the Red Jersey and Old Duroc races in the 19th century in the United States. These two lines have very different origins, such as the European Berkshire, the Colorado from Guinea and in all likelihood, from the ‘dark-skinned’ Iberian pig, giving it a quality that makes it stand out from other ‘white-skinned’ pigs. However, the lack of specific standard regarding this breed means that many products are sold on the market under the name Duroc without any specific commercial control.
Since 1984, the Teruel Designation of Origin has backed a Duroc crossbreed featuring a Large White father or a Landrace mother (or a crossbreed of them), that should be monitored by the Control Board, and certified in turn by ENAC. Consequently, Jamón de Teruel PDO could use the commercial name of Duroc ham and also make the most of its popularity. However, Jamón de Teruel PDO is so much more than a controlled breed. Control Board specifications set out everything from the fat thickness to the minimum curing times in months, including the maximum quantity of salt or the weight of the final product. In addition, the fact that it is a Protected Designation of Origin product helps to boost a territory like Teruel by generating investment and jobs. In short, it might be said that Jamon de Teruel PDO is a Duroc ham with a plus in terms of quality and certification.