The Dehesa is a small area of south west Spain that borders Portugal and is an idyllic area that enjoys a mediterranean climate with hot summers, ample rainfall and extensive woodlands with pastures and ancient trees.
This area is home to the Iberian Black Pig, who spend their days happily grazing free-range on a varied diet of grass, roots, mushrooms. Most importantly, during the autumn months, the Evergreen and Cork Oak trees shed their accorns which are high in unique nutrients and a snack enjoyed by the Iberian Black Pig. In consuming this acorn, it gives the Iberian Black Pig’s meat a unique taste unparalleled to other members of it’s family. Widely known as “Pata Negra”, derived from their black hooves, the meat is then cured for a number of years and then enjoyed by chefs and foodie’s all over the world.
So, how is this related to charcoal? Well, the Evergreen and Cork oak trees that produce these acorns are many hundred of years old & keep shedding this wonderful treat for the Iberian Black Pig each Autumn. To maintain these trees, and encourage their productiveness, regular pruning must be carried out by locals. The remnants of this pruning is not wasted, but is used in other local business’.
One of these uses is during the manufacturing of charcoal. Some of our Bar-Be-Quick Charcoal products originate on La Dehesa, as our supplier gets their raw materials from the wood that comes from the pruning process!
So, next time you use our charcoal products, you now know that you are contributing to the life of a content Iberian Black Pig living on La Dehesa!