Spain's jamon conquers China

Jabugo, Spain

THE aroma is so extraordinary it's like "a punch in your mouth", says Luqi Wu, one of several Chinese businessmen standing in a cellar in south-western Spain surrounded by thousands of hanging ham legs.

While he samples the product, three of his colleagues learn to cut the ham as finely as possible - a crucial detail that they will put into practice back in Shanghai at tasting events for their own customers.