With January now over the time has come to truly appreciate and evaluate this campaign’s Fabulous Montanera (free-range period).
This year we have no doubt whatsoever in considering the Montanera (free-range period) #LaDehesaViva as absolutely extraordinary. And it is without a doubt that the stars of the show are the acorns. This year they are abundant as they haven’t been for quite some time, to the point that we continuously encounter a veritable tapestry of acorns under the Holm Oaks on our estates, as due to the rigors of the weather this year, the acorns have been falling in a timely and staggered manner.
Indeed this has not come as a surprise. It has been a year of extremes, with tremendous rainfall in just a few days and with long low water periods, with temperate temperatures for the time of year, that is with no rainfall and intense winds that also aided the acorns in their downpour, and likewise with abundant rime ice and bitter intense cold…that is, an incredible variety of meteorological anomalies for which our Holm Oaks are particularly well prepared. Enormous root systems that take good advantage of each and every drop of water during times of rainfall. Abundant leafy tree crowns, strong and tightly amassed to resist the heat waves and winds, but also to capture a good amount of the humidity brought in by the early morning fogs.
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- LLUVIAS
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- NIEBLAS
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- CENCELLADA
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- HELADAS SOLEADAS
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- NEBLINAS
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- SOL “CON UÑAS”
All of this has allowed us this year to really take advantage of a greater number of meadowland hectares for the montanera (free-range period) and, therefore, we have been able to raise 20% more Ibérico Acorn Fed pigs. Because the truth of the matter is that at Sierra de Codex we much prefer it when our animals can free-range as much as possible and with an abundance of fruits. We never fully deplete our meadowland hectares that are available to our drifts, which in turn allows for an important margin in that pertaining to the number of animals that can be out on montanera (free-range period) in due accordance to each year’s «harvest» of acorns. And have no doubt, this is something that is indeed appreciated and how in the resulting flavor of our Ibérico Acorn Fed Hams. In their aroma. In their quality.
