An accompaniment changes the way you eat ham without needing to become the centre of the table. A bread slice, picos and regañás offer different bites. Instead of seeking one winning combination, try them separately and choose what you enjoy for each occasion.
Serve ham and accompaniments separately. Try a slice on its own first, then compare three textures with the same ham.
Start with one ham and three small dishes
Put the same ham on a plate and divide accompaniments between three dishes. Changing both ham and bread makes it harder to identify which difference you enjoy. Keep each option recognisable and the arrangement simple.
Taste a plain slice first. Then try a small bite with each bread and notice which texture you prefer. There is no need for scores or a correct answer: the aim is to guide your own choices.
Bread: choose the size of each bite
With a bread slice, you can place ham on top or alternate bread and ham. Offer manageable pieces and let guests build their own bites. Thickness, crust and crumb all change the experience, so compare the bread you will actually serve.
For a tasting centred on ham, begin with a simple bread before heavily spiced or filled varieties. Keep tomato for a different preparation, such as our tomato and ham toasts.
Jamones Paco Heredia for this article
Current selection from the related collection. Check format, weight and directions on each product page.
Jamones Paco Heredia
Current selection from the related collection. Check format, weight and directions on each product page.
View the collection →Picos: a small crisp accompaniment
Picos are usually small crunchy bread pieces. Their size makes them easy to offer in a bowl and alternate with ham slices. You do not need to wrap one in every slice or assemble all the bites in advance.
Shapes and recipes vary by maker. Check the chosen accompaniment's ingredients and allergens rather than assuming every pico is the same.
The selection follows the Jamones Paco Heredia catalogue. Editorial photographs illustrate formats; check the collection for current products and their details.
Regañás: try a thin, flat texture
Regañás offer a thin flat shape, different from bread with a soft crumb or a pico. Serve them separately so guests can combine a piece with ham if they like that texture.
Do not fill the ham plate with every accompaniment. Separate dishes give guests choice, keep crumbs off the slices and leave products visible. The photo is a serving idea; the breads are not a bundle with the products in the cards.
Adapt the table to those sharing it
Review ham and accompaniment labels for specific dietary requirements. Do not assume a shape or photograph guarantees particular ingredients. Use separate dishes and utensils if your table's needs require them.
If serving other Iberian cured meats, plan the whole selection rather than assigning identical amounts by habit. Our board for six gives one example, while ham tasting at home helps compare ham categories.
Choose ham for the comparison you want
To change category, compare cebo Iberian ham, cebo de campo or bellota 100% Iberian. No category has a compulsory bread pairing: try and choose for yourself.
80 g packs make net weight easy to count for a particular occasion. For other ham formats or help choosing, ask Paco.