Chorizo vela is a cured pork sausage, straight in shape, with a fine caliber (between 3 and 4 cm in diameter) and about 25 cm in length. Its name comes precisely from this silhouette: long and narrow like a candle or taper. Within the family of Spanish chorizo, it is one of the most popular formats, both for its practicality when slicing and for the softer texture it offers compared to larger caliber pieces.
If you're looking for a sausage that's easy to incorporate into your daily life, with an intense but not overwhelming flavor, chorizo vela is a perfect starting point. And if you're already sure you want to try it, you can buy the best sweet chorizo vela traditionally made in Vic.
Why is it called "chorizo de vela" (candle chorizo)?
The name is not arbitrary. Unlike horseshoe chorizo (folded and tied at the ends) or string chorizo (several pieces linked together), chorizo vela is stuffed and hung vertically, in a straight position, without bending. This posture during curing gives it its characteristic silhouette: a cylindrical piece, uniform from end to end, resembling the shape of a candle.
Its caliber, between 30 and 40 mm, places it between "chorizo sarta" and "chorizo cular." It is neither the thinnest nor the thickest, and this intermediate position is precisely what makes it such a versatile format.
How artisan chorizo vela is made
The process of good chorizo vela begins with the selection of lean pork. The meat is minced, mixed with salt, paprika, and natural spices, and then stuffed into casings. Then comes the curing: the piece is hung in a cool place with controlled ventilation, where it gradually loses moisture.
The key to the final texture lies in this drying process. Being smaller in caliber than "cular," chorizo vela cures in less time, resulting in a softer and juicier texture when sliced. It's not a hard chorizo; it's a chorizo that yields well to the knife and releases all the flavor of the paprika in the mouth without being harsh.
At La Casa dels Fuets, we've been doing this since 1964. Each piece is made individually, following the same criteria that the Cabanas family learned generation after generation in Vic, the capital of "longaniza" and "fuet."
How long does chorizo vela last and how to store it?
This is one of the most common questions, and almost no article answers it clearly. The answer depends on whether the piece is whole or already started.
An unopened whole piece, stored in a cool, dry place away from direct light, can last perfectly for several weeks. A pantry or kitchen cabinet works well if the temperature is stable. It can also be stored in the refrigerator, although the cold tends to slightly harden the outer texture.
Once opened, it is ideal to wrap the cut with butcher paper or a cotton cloth, never with plastic wrap, which does not allow the sausage to breathe and accelerates the appearance of moisture. Under these conditions, an opened piece remains in perfect condition for 10 to 15 days.
If you know you won't consume it soon, vacuum packaging is the best option: it slows down oxidation and preserves the flavor profile without significantly altering the texture. At La Casa dels Fuets, we offer this option on all our online orders for those who prefer to have a reserve at home without worrying about storage.
Chorizo vela vs. chorizo cular: two pieces for two occasions
Among all types of chorizos, chorizo vela and chorizo cular are the most often confused, and that makes sense: both are straight in shape and come in whole pieces. The difference lies in the caliber and, therefore, in the curing process.
Chorizo cular is stuffed into the final casing of the pig, which has a larger diameter (between 45 and 70 mm). Being thicker, it needs more curing time, sometimes between 4 and 6 months, and the result is a more compact piece, with a more concentrated flavor and a greater presence of intramuscular fat. It is the chorizo for special occasions, the one that is thinly sliced on a well-presented platter.
Chorizo vela, being narrower, cures in less time. The texture is softer, easier to cut, and the flavor, while equally intense, is somewhat more accessible. It is the everyday chorizo: the one used in sandwiches, added to a Tuesday night platter, or sliced to accompany an informal appetizer.
How to eat chorizo vela (and what it pairs best with)
Chorizo vela is consumed cured, with no need for cooking. Simply slice it about half a centimeter thick and serve at room temperature, which is when the paprika and spices express themselves best.
- In a sandwich with rustic bread, sometimes with a drizzle of olive oil.
- On a charcuterie board alongside ham, cured loin, or aged cheese.
- As an appetizer, thinly sliced and accompanied by olives.
- As an ingredient in rice dishes, scrambled eggs, or legume stews, where it adds intensity without needing prior cooking.
Its size makes it perfect for having a whole piece in the refrigerator or pantry, ready to slice at any time.
The pantry chorizo that is never missing
Some cured meats are bought for an occasion. Chorizo vela is not one of them: it's the cured meat you always have on hand, the one that solves an impromptu appetizer, the one that completes a quick meal, or the one you simply crave when you open the fridge.
Its contained size, around 150g per piece in the case of artisan-made ones, makes it a very practical format. There's no excess, no waste, and it can be consumed in a few days without losing any flavor.
This differentiates it from larger pieces like "cular" or "longaniza," which require more planning. Chorizo vela is, in that sense, the most everyday format among all types of cured Spanish chorizos.
Try the artisan chorizo vela from La Casa dels Fuets
If you've understood what chorizo vela is and want to try it with confidence, at La Casa dels Fuets we've been making it traditionally in Vic since 1964. Each piece is made individually, with selected lean pork, paprika, natural spices, and a curing process that has delivered the same result for decades: an intensely flavored, tender-textured, gluten-free chorizo.
You can buy the best sweet chorizo vela directly from our online store and receive it at home in 48-72 hours.
