Specialities Inc. Debuts Bayonne Ham

Millington, NJ – June 1, 2015 – Specialities, Inc. announced today they will be introducing France’s legendary all natural Bayonne Ham at the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City to complete the “Trilogy” of the finest cured meats in the United States. The Bayonne Ham is crafted to the highest standards using a unique process handed down by centuries of meticulous care, time and knowledge. Bayonne Hams are the standard by which all other French hams are judged. Specalities, Inc. will be showcasing both the traditional tasting Bayonne Ham and a flavor of Bayonne Ham that has been cured and coated using France’s world famous AOC (Appellation d'Origine Controlee) Espelette Red Peppers.

A ham can only become a Bayonne Ham if it’s produced in the very specific, clearly defined areas of the Adour basin in the heart of French Basque for salting and South of France for rearing.  All Bayonne Hams are assured by the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) since October 7, 1998 and is protected under the European Union PGI label. The PGI label informs consumers about the specific characteristics of products and protects their geographical names from imitation and usurpation. Bayonne hams have only four ingredients; specially-bred and fed French pigs (corn and cereals), salt from the natural springs deep beneath the Pyrenees Mountains, air and the most important ingredient, time.

Bayonne Hams are air-dried, dark in color, with a very tender mild flavor with only a hint of saltiness. All Bayonne Hams have stringent levels of production requirements (breeding, slaughter and butchering, salting and distribution) all approved by officers from the Consortium du Jambon de Bayonne.

Specialities, Inc. was awarded the prized cured ham from France last July by the Delpeyrat Bayonne Ham Company based upon their expertise and experience to source, distribute and create sell-through of “Best of Class” specialty brands in the United States. After a two year approval process, the USDA put their stamp of approval to begin importing the Bayonne Ham with the first shipments arriving in August of this year.

“We are honored to have been selected as the exclusive purveyor of the Bayonne Ham in the United States,” said Richard Kessler, of Specialities, Inc. “We can’t wait for show attendees to experience the exceptional taste and smooth texture of this legendary ham.

All Bayonne Hams are cured by rubbing 100% all natural Adour basin salt and then covered with a thick layer of salt and placed in the salting room. The hams are suspended in a room where they are dried at a low temperature in artificially created winter conditions. Then the hams are hung in drying rooms where the long maturing process begins, gradually enhancing their flavor, aroma and tenderness. The next step is a process where a mixture of pork fat and flour is applied on the muscular parts of the ham, making for a gentler drying process during the long maturing period. In the last step, the ham acquires all of its qualities and revels its personality: a mild flavor, balanced saltiness and delicate aroma. Then the hams are tested by experts who define the hams’ taste qualities and are approved to wear the Bayonne branded tattoo. On average it takes 9 to 12 months to make a Bayonne Ham. As they say in France, délicieux!

Make sure to visit Specialities, Inc. at this Summer’s Fancy Food Show and experience for yourself the delicious taste and texture of Bayonne Ham. Specialities, Inc. will be located at booth #472 on the upper level at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

Specialities, Inc. will also be showcasing their other “Best of Class” specialty brands Le Bistro French Recipe Ham, Noel Spanish Serrano, Solera Spanish Cheeses and Meats, Bellentani Deli Meats, LactAcores Portuguese Cheeses and Ermitage French Cheeses.

About Us:

Founded in 1991, Specialities®, Inc. is located in Millington, New Jersey and is a purveyor of fine imported cured meats and cheeses from Europe and domestically crafted, award-winning artisanal cheeses and deli meats. Specialities, Inc. has extensive experience and a proven track record in delivering “Best of Class” specialty deli products to both retailers and foodservice operators throughout the United Sates. Our brands include Le Bistro, Noel, Solera, Bellentani,  LactAcores, Ermitage and Delpeyrat. As a vertically integrated organization, we source, import, sell, distribute, and support the sell-through of these products to drive consumer trial, repeat purchase and increase sales for our partners. Specialities, Inc.’s. branded products are available for chain supermarkets, independent supermarkets, specialty food stores, club stores and foodservice operators. For more information about Specialities, Inc. contact Richard Kessler, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at 908-647-6485 or e-mail him at r.kessler@specialitiesinc.com.