Specialty Food Magazine

extra virgin olive oils, and in fact, five of the top 10 EVOOs in last year's edition of the EVOOLEUM guide's World's Top 100 Extra Virgin Olive Oils were from Spain. Of the Top 100 EVOOs on the list, 61 were from Spain. The country's EVOOs include more than a dozen with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) or Protected Geographical Indicator (PGI) status, including Aceite de La Rioja, Aceite de Campo de Calatrava, and others. The value of olive oils imported to the U.S. from Spain has more than tripled in the last 10 years, reaching $679 million in 2023, according to data from the USDA. It is by far the largest product category imported from Spain. Cheeses From Spain Take Top Prizes Spanish cheeses are celebrated as some of the finest in the world, and include a wide assortment of on-trend, well-known and well-loved varieties. Spain produces more than 200 different types of cheese, including more than 20 that have their own designation of origin. Spain's diverse geography and climate, and its combination of both large dairies and numerous smaller, artisanal cheesemakers contribute to the enormous variety of cheeses produced in the country. The value of cheese imports to the U.S. from Spain totaled $145 million in 2023, up more than 30 percent year-over-year, and nearly double the value from 10 years ago, as consumers have gained an understanding and appreciation for the quality of cheeses from Spain. In fact, at last year's Concours International de Lyon cheese competition, Spain came in second only to France in terms of the number of awards for its cheese. Spain brought home 63 awards, including 38 gold and 25 silver medals in a field that included 10,000 samples from 48 different countries. In addition, at the prestigious 2023 World Cheese Awards in Trondheim, Norway, 17 Spanish cheeses won Super Gold awards, the most of any country. Another 68 Spanish cheeses won gold medals, 200 won silver medals, and 276 won bronze medals. Several native Spanish sheep breeds—such as Manchega, Zamorana, and Merino—have become known for their cheeses, such as Manchego, Zamorano, Torta de la Serena, and Torta del Casar, all of which are covered by PDO status. In the rainy mountains of northern Spain, farmers produce a variety of cow's milk cheeses, including several that have PDO designations. These include Tetilla, San Simon, and Arzua Ulloa in Galicia, and L'Alt Urgell and La Cerdanya in Catalonia. On the island of Menorca, a cow's milk cheese named Mahón-Menorca is also covered by a PDO. Goat's milk cheeses from Spain include Ibores, which is made using Retinta goat's milk, and Murcia al Vino, made from the milk of the Murcian goat and then soaked in red wine. Both are protected by PDOs, as are two goat cheeses from the Canary Islands: Palmero, from the island of La Palma, and Majorero from Fuerteventura. Mixed-milk cheeses are abundant in Spain, including the popular Ibérico, a mild semi-firm cheese with a touch of acidity from the cow's milk, slight piquancy from the goat's milk, and buttery flavors and aromas from the ewe's milk. Spain's mountain caves also yield some well-regarded soft, blue-veined cheeses, such as Cabrales, Picón Bejes-Tresviso, and Valdeón, all of which are designated PDOs. Cured Meats and Sausages Stand Out Spain has emerged as a global leader for some of its meat products, especially its gourmet cured hams, such as Jamon Ibérico and Jamon Serrano. The Consorcio del Jamon Serrano Español (The Consorcio for Spain's Serrano Ham), which works alongside Foods and Wines From Spain to promote Jamon (ham) Serrano says the country exported more than 730,000 hams with the Consorcio seal last year, up almost 4 percent over 2022. The seal guarantees that the ham was produced in accordance with the Consorcio's rigorous quality standards, using traditional methods and 100 percent Spanish ingredients. Jamon Serrano comes from white pigs, and it is usually cured for about 14 months. It is an extremely versatile and popular product, both in Spain and around the world. Jamon Ibérico, Spain's gastronomic jewel, made from the Iberico breed of pigs that roam free and dine on fallen acorns, is considered the best of the best. SPONSORED ARTICLE 52 SPECIALTY FOOD SPECIALTYFOOD.COM

• Cover