Why Autumn Is The Best Time To Visit Italy.

Autumn in Italy is simply magical. The leaves start to change color and the weather is perfect for exploring. Here are five reasons why autumn is the best time to visit Italy.

  1. The weather is perfect.

Autumn in Italy is neither too hot nor too cold. The days are sunny and the nights are cool. This is the ideal weather for exploring.

  1. The leaves are changing color.

One of the best things about autumn is watching the leaves change color. The trees in Italy are simply beautiful during this time of year.

  1. The food is amazing. Autumn is the time of year when many of Italy’s delicious fruits and vegetables are in season. This is the perfect time to enjoy fresh, local food.
  2. The wine is even better. Italy is known for its amazing wine. Autumn is the perfect time to visit the vineyards and taste the new wines of the season.
  3. There are fewer tourists. Autumn is the off-season in Italy, which means there are fewer tourists. This is the perfect time to visit if you want to avoid the crowds.

Food for autumn. Often overlooked by toursits “Chestnuts”.

If you’re lucky enough to be in Italy during the autumn months, be sure to try some of the delicious chestnuts that are in season. roasted chestnuts are a popular street food and make a great snack. But also sweets like castagnaccio which is a traditional chestnut flour cake.

Food for autumn: Cinghiale.

Cinghiale is a type of wild boar that is popular in Italy during the autumn months. The meat is usually cooked in a stew or ragù and is often served with polenta, or tagliatelle with cinghiale sauce.
Cinghiale tastes similar to pork but is a bit darker in color and has a slightly stronger flavor. The meat can be tough if it is not cooked properly, but when done right, it is absolutely delicious.

Food for autumn: Cappellacci di Zucca.

Cappellacci di zucca are a type of ravioli that is typically made with a pumpkin filling. The dish is popular in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy and is typically served with a sage and butter sauce.

Food for autumn: Porcini mushrooms.

Porcini mushrooms are a type of fungi that is popular in Italy during the autumn months. The mushrooms are often used in dishes like risotto or pasta with porcini sauce. They have a earthy, nutty flavor that is simply delicious.

Truffles.

Autumn is the ideal time to visit Italy if you’re looking to indulge in the country’s culinary offerings. This is the time of year when truffles are in season, and they can be found in abundance throughout the country. Whether you’re looking to enjoy a truffle pasta dish, or simply want to savor the flavor of fresh truffles, Italy is the place to be.
If you’re interested in trying truffles, there are a few ways to go about it. One option is to head to one of the many truffle festivals that are held throughout Italy each year. These festivals typically feature a number of stalls selling fresh truffles, as well as dishes made with truffles. To name a few you can consider the Alba Truffle festival in Piedmont, the San Miniato Festival in Tuscany, and Savigno just outside Bologna.

Another option is to visit a restaurant that specializes in truffle dishes. These restaurants can be found in most major cities in Italy. If you’re looking for a truly memorable experience, however, you may want to consider booking a truffle hunting tour. These tours take place in truffle-producing regions and allow you to hunt for truffles with the help of a trained dog.

In Italy, there are two main types of truffles: tartufo nero and tartufo bianco. Tartufo nero, also known as the “black truffle,” the best and most famous one are primarily found in the Piedmont and Lombardy regions however truffles grow all over Italy. Black truffle has a strong, earthy flavor and is typically used in dishes like risotto and pasta. Tartufo bianco, or the “white truffle,” is found in the northern part of the country and has a more delicate flavor, yet intense flavor. It is often a lot more expensive than the black ones.

Salerno Tour: the Best Mozzarella Farms & Dairies

One of the staples of Italian cuisine is cheese. Many different types of cheese are produced around Italy, and one of the most famous productions in the country and worldwide is mozzarella. Featured in many international dishes, like on pizza and as a main ingredient of the Caprese salad, mozzarella is at the center of the Mediterranean diet. Some of the most delicious mozzarelle of Italy are produced by dairies located in Campania. In this article we’ll showcase some of the best places where you can buy and sample mozzarella near the city of Salerno, with a focus on the original Mozzarella di Bufala Campana DOP and related dairy products and we’ll see what options tourists have if they decide to tour the dairies and discover the stables, facilities and production techniques of these amazing foods.

Tenuta Vannulo

mozzarella tour
mozzarella tour

South of Salerno, following the coast, you’ll find the city of Paestum. Around it, in smaller towns and in the countryside, are located several dairies housing buffalos and cows. In Capaccio Scalo you’ll find the Tenuta Vannulo, which features many different areas and along with them, several activities you can enjoy: the dairy features animals in the buffalo farm; a shop where you can find buffalo milk, cheese and leather goods; there’s a museum where you can discover the history of the family and the dairy itself, along with the tools and techniques employed to produce excellent buffalo mozzarella. The animals are fed, looked after and milked with extreme care, and the mozzarella is produced following the highest standards of hygiene and quality.
The dairy has a restaurant, with many options, one of which is a tasting menu that features organic vegetables farmed locally in the Tenuta Vannulo and many types of cheese products to showcase the range of the dairy’s ability: ricotta, mozzarella and more. A must have is the buffalo milk ice cream, especially when paired with a brioche, or yogurt.

Caseificio Barlotti

Also in Paestum but in the town of Capaccio-Paestum proper, is the Caseificio Barlotti. Visiting the Caseificio Barlotti is a great experience and you’ll be able to see the buffalos at the dairy’s farm and try the dairy products produced here straight from the source. The dairy is nestled among the Temples of Paestum and right after a tour of these incredible ruins, you can stop by the Caseificio Barlotti to purchase and sample their productions: buffalo mozzarella, ricotta, ice cream made from buffalo milk, cheeses and even incredible steaks made from buffalo meat. Along with the vegetables grown at the farm, it makes for a great lunch at a great price for the quality it offers.
The Caseificio Barlotti really has it all, with a tour where you’ll meet the buffaloes, see the process of making and pulling the mozzarella into shape, and a great selection of excellent cheeses and foods to choose from for a unique dining experience.

Taverna Penta


The Taverna Penta dairy farm is located in Pontecagnano Faiano, not far from Salerno. The dairy offers tours where visitors can meet the animals and find out more about the farm and the milking process, see and lean about the production of the mozzarelle and finally taste the varieties of buffalo mozzarella produced or choose to have a light lunch with the various cheeses and other local produce and dishes. Next to the dairy you’ll also find the Yogurteria, a yogurt joint where ice cream and yogurt made exclusively from buffalo milk are served, both plain and flavored. All the milk used at the dairy comes from the Azienda Agricola and the Allevamento Filippo Morese, named after the current owner – a member of the Morese family, who established the farm and started this family tradition.

Caseificio Ilka

Located in Salerno, in Via delle Calabrie 29, the Caseificio Ilka has many dairy products to offer, and a dedicated area where clients and visitors can sample the various options and explore the differences between Buffalo and Cow milk products. One of the main productions of the Caseificio Ilka is the “Corona di Paestum”, a uniquely crafted Buffalo mozzarella wreath made with braided sections of mozzarella cheese, masterfully pulled and assembled by master dairymen. The dairy offers many traditional cheeses typical of the region, such as Pecorino and Caciocavallo, and produces mozzarella cheese for specific use on pizza.
The dairy has an elegant, modern shop. There is a space that clients can use to sample their purchase right away, on location and this makes the experience even more authentic, since this means that visitors and customers can taste the products directly at the place of production. You can also have a quick meal here with mozzarella, ricotta or other types of cheese, prosciutto and local loaves of bread and glasses of wine.

How To Eat In Italy Without Gaining Weight

Italians are known for their rich culture and amazing food. When travelling to Italy, most people find themselves in the dilemma of skipping all the goodness in Italy or going all out or eating everything they can get their hands on. The problem with these two options is that you either miss out on tasting exotic foods or you gain a lot of weight during your holiday. You can find a balance amidst this dilemma with the following tips in order to fully enjoy your trip in Italy.

Pizza in Trieste

1. Lose weight before your trip

It is a fact people might gain weight during their vacations. This is because they engage in different activities out of their usual schedules hence working out and dieting is not easy. As such, it is advisable to lose some weight before you travel. This will give you some room to gain weight during your vacation without going beyond your ideal weight.

2. When in Italy, do as the Italians do

Italians are known for their good food and healthy appetites, but notably, they are rarely every overweight. Their trick is in their eating habits. Italians follow the system of food which means that breakfast should be the light meal, often just a coffee and a cornetto followed by lunch that should be main meal of the day normally eaten at 12 noon and a light dinner.  The main purpose of this is to ensure that you consume most calories during the day, which is when you need a lot of energy for your activities. Dinner should be small enough to allow your body to process it before you sleep.

3. Be mindful of meal options

Another important food factor apart from how you eat is what you eat. You may have a light dinner whose ingredients will not benefit your body. Thus, ensure that you consume your carbs during the day during breakfast and lunch. This is the best time to satisfy your palate with the famous Italian pasta and pizza meals. The carbs will give you the energy to enjoy other activities during your vacation. For dinner, proteins are preferable since they aid in the growth of muscles and unlike carbs, they will not be converted into sugar and fat during digestion. Proteins will also keep you full throughout the night hence you will be able to avoid unnecessary snacking.

Being in Italy gives you the rare chance of having ice cream for dinner. Italian ice cream, known as gelato, is unlike any other normal ice cream out there. Gelato is made locally and fresh using a lot of milk and less cream and sugar, unlike usual store bought ice creams. It also has less butterfat and sorbets have no egg hence it is quite a healthy version of ice cream. In summer often the Italians replace dinner with a gelato.

4. Walk

Italians often go for a stroll after dinnner, so you do. Walking after dinner increases your metabolism and in turn, your body processes food faster. The energy used when walking after dinner burns up sugar produced by the body and this results in the production of chemicals that induce sleep. Your mindless stroll after dinner fast tracks your digestion and gives you a good night’s sleep.

5. Healthy snacking

Snacking is the one of the culprits of quick weight gain. The sweets and cakes in Italy are very tempting snack options, but their large variety of fruits is healthier. Italy is a major producer of fruits and in summer are plentiful, you can snack on peaches, apricots, melons, plums cherries and the list goes on.

A vacation in Italy is an amazing chance to be part of a rich culture and to enjoy delicious Italian food while keeping healthy and still having fun.

Bologna Food Themed Park to Open In Italy

In a bid to turn disused public real estate into profitable tourist attractions, the municipality of Bologna and Eataly, the food chain, have announce that they plan to open a food themed park in what is otherwise called the food capital of Italy. It is estimated that the proposed food theme park will cost about €400 million to develop and it is hoped that it will open its doors to visitors in 2015. It will be located on 80,000 square meters of what today is a lot of unused warehouses. The move comes as a result of a push from the Italian government to turn unused assets into tourist attractions.

Eataly,NYC.
Eataly in NY – source

According to Paolo Scordino who is the chief executive of Prelios SGR, they have already started raising the necessary funds and so far, they have managed to get about €85 million. The hope is that the theme park will remind visitors of a time when Italy was more serene, not the way it is currently described as a “decadent” country.

There are several such projects going on around the country. They are part of a plan to try and get Italy out of its current financial woes. In Venice, for instance, a project is underway to turn an abandoned island into a theme park which will include a 55 meter Ferris wheel and many other theme park entertainments.

All these projects, it is hoped, will attract even more tourists than are currently coming into the country to see various attractions. Most visitors come to Italy for the art, the beaches and the food but it is now hoped that theme parks will attract a different kind of crowd, the kind that fills Disneyland every day. According to one official, “Each square meter will be linked to a business line and will directly or indirectly produce revenue, as happens in Disney’s parks.”

Lardo di Colonnata….a taste of the Good Fat

What is Lardo di Colonnata?

Lardo di Colonnata is a true Italian heritage food; (it is very unfortunate that non-Italians will generally confuse the name with simple lard, which is far from the truth). This product is a deliciously seasoned, cured slab of pure fat from the back of the pig, which has been cured in a particular way, and it is a delicacy in Italy where it can often be seen on a platter of Salumi (Italian cured meats). Lardo di Colonnata is a superior product and it is protected by an IGP designation, meaning that production is restricted to the region around the little village of Colonnata. In addition, the IGP brings with it certain regulations regarding the production, and ensures that the product is matured in a particular way in the Marble caves near Colonnata.

lardo di Colonnata
Lardo di Colonnata – Source

The Marble Caves of Carrara and the Apuan alps

The magnificent mountains that surround the town of Carrara are a sight to behold! In the height of summer they appear to be covered in snow, but it is not snow but precious white marble that is gleaming in the sun. The marble from Carrara has been known since Roman times, and is where the huge block that was the basis of Michelangelo’s famed “David” was hewn. The town of Carrara is a monument to marble, and you will see marble wherever you look – marble benches, marble statues, marble steps and a gleaming marble Duomo (cathedral). Today you can go on a quarry tour to get an idea of how incredibly difficult it must have been to produce the marble here all those years ago, with no equipment! Above the town of Carrara, in the village of Colonnata, you can learn how the marble caves of the area are essential today in the production of Lardo di Colonnata, just as they have been for centuries.
Legend has it that the original Lardo was produced by the Roman quarry workers who needed a nutritious meal to sustain them during their labours in the quarries.

How Lardo di Colonnata Is Made.

Thick slabs of trimmed pork back fat are seasoned with salt, pepper, rosemary, garlic (and sometimes other herbs such as star anise, oregano, coriander, cloves, etc) and packed into specially carved Carrara marble containers, which are porous and allow for the curing process to take place. Production only takes place in winter, and the vats of seasoned fat are aged and matured entirely naturally in the Marble Caves, where the micro-climate is perfect for the job of curing the meat without any additives or preservatives.
The resultant Lardo di Colonnata, shaved into delicate thin ribbons, is a delicate, creamy textured sliver, full of the rich flavours of the herbs, which perfectly complements a slice of grilled Italian bread – crostini. It tastes a little like the fatty part of a slice of perfect prosciutto, but with a lot more flavour! It is generally eaten just as described above, and forms part of an antipasti platter, along with other cured meats (salumi). It can also be used to impart flavour and moisture to roast game birds or other dishes that require a little extra fat.

DSC_5548
The Marble containers where the lardo is cured – source

Emilia Delizia accepts Bitcoins for your travel in Italy.

How To Travel In Italy With Bitcoins

Emilia Delizia now accept bitcoins for your travel booking in Italy. Most of our activities can now be booked with bitcoins rather than using  traditional credit cards. Emilia Delizia is happy to grant a discount to all clients paying with the digital currency.

Bitcoin is virtual cash  (cryptocurrency) that has been adopted by thousands of people around the world for trade and online purchases. Like any other currency it can serve many purposes, but one of the best ways to use this e-money is to cover travel expenses. Without having to carry a credit card or paper money, you can now make direct payments from your own web-based bitcoin wallet. Quick and secure transactions allow booking hotel rooms, singing into sightseeing and gourmet tours and even taking part in Ferrari test drives. Besides, our guests who choose to pay with bitcoins get a 5% discount.

So, how exactly do you benefit from using bitcoin while travelling in Italy?

Bitcoin, bitcoin coin, physical bitcoin, bitcoin photo

Book Accommodation: Hotel or Apartment Stay

Paying with a credit card or wire transfer mostly requires participation of a third party – a credit card company, the bank or an online payment service organization. The transactional fees in this case can get way too high especially with large amounts such as a hotel room reservation. Using bitcoins may significantly reduce the extra charges: since all communication is done directly between the client and the merchant the operational costs are comparatively low. Once you have chosen the dates and the accommodation type it is a matter or 10-20 minutes until the transaction is approved. You should only remember that bitcoin payments are irreversible and once it has been made there is no way to claim your money back.

Sign Up For a Ferrari Test Drive with bitcoins

Driving a real Ferrari is a dream of many and now that you are visiting the legendary car’s homeland you can make this dream come true. Emilia Delizia offers a lifetime opportunity: taking a Ferrari test drive with more than five different car models available. After having picked up the desired car type and race duration you can pay with bitcoins and reserve a place right away. The transactions are extremely prompt and can be completed within 20 minutes or even less. One of the best parts about using bitcoins is that an order can be processed from your laptop, smartphone or tablet – all you need is access to the digital wallet and an internet connection.

Join Culinary Tours and food experience – with Bitcoin

During vacation in Italy you might want to get exposed to some of the country’s authentic culinary experiences and participate in the locally guided food tours. Also here, paying with bitcoins is a straightforward and inexpensive way to get quickly enrolled into the next cheese production tour, visit one of the food factories or take a cooking class by the local specialist.

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Keeping your money safe while on a trip is an issue that concerns every traveler. Over the last few years since its inception Bitcoin has proven to be an efficient and trusted way to pay and accept payments. This internet cyber currency is an elegant solution for maintaining secure bookings and purchases from any location and any electronic device. Whether it is a night in a hotel or a two-hour city tour –it all can be paid on the spot within minutes using the digital cash.

Edible Souvenirs from Emilia Romagna

No trip to Emilia Romagna, the gastronomic capital of Italy, would be complete without taking home some edible souvenirs! This is particularly the case if you have had time to attend a cookery class and learnt how to prepare some of the local specialities. Many of the wonderful ingredients that you can find on every street corner in this part of Italy are just not available outside the country, and if you are lucky enough to find the genuine article, it will cost a great deal more than here, where it is produced. Not only can you amaze your friends back home when you serve them some of the dishes, but these delectable edible souvenirs make great gifts for all your “foodie” friends! Here are some of the main treats to look out for when doing your shopping for food souvenirs, but I am sure you will find several others to add to this list.

Parmesan Cheese – the REAL thing! No doubt you will have been on a tour to see how Parmegiano-Reggiano is produced, and will know how to tell if the product you are buying is the genuine article. This is one of the most popular exports from the region and it is easy to take some home with you, as it can be transported for a short time without refrigeration.

Balsamic Vinegar – a beautiful syrupy aged Balsamic vinegar from Modena makes a wonderful food souvenir for yourself (it is rather pricey, but well-worth the extravagance), or a really special friend. You can buy Balsamic vinegars that have been aged for over 25 years, but a more modest 12 year-old product is more affordable and you should not leave without a few bottles of this truly artisanal product.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Brisighella – this is no ordinary Olive Oil, but a really special product produced in the hilly valleys of the Tosco-Romagnolo mountains, where geography and climate come together to produce ideal conditions for Olives. The resultant oil produced in this region has a very distinctive emerald green colour, low acidity and a wonderful mouth-feel. The oil exhibits a medium to strong fruitiness with a slightly bitter aftertaste with the distinct impression of herbs and almonds.

Nocino Liquor from Modena – a popular and delightful liquor made from unripe walnuts, originating in Modena. There are many versions of this tipple, and many local people make their own batch each year. The commercially available product makes a great gift or souvenir to take home with you.

Nocino
The making of nocino with unripe wallnuts. Source

Salt from Cervia – is another unique product to tuck into your suitcase. The salt flats of Cervia have been producing salt for centuries, by means of channelling the Mediterranean Sea water into a series of salt pans, where the water is allowed to evaporate naturally, producing a less-processed form of table salt which still retains traces of other minerals such as iron, magnesium, calcium and potassium as well as iodine. It is a healthier and cleaner type of salt, and makes a great gift. The town also produces various other salt-related products, such as salt chocolates and several beauty preparations which also make interesting and unusual gifts for souvenirs.

salina
Tourists can visit the salt beds in Cervia – source

 

What Food Factories can I visit in Italy?

Everyone loves Italian food!  Wherever you go in the world, even in unlikely places such as Thailand and Malaysia, both of which have their own wonderful regional cuisine, you will find Italian restaurants, and most people cook at least one Italian staple, pasta, on a regular basis at home.  It follows that if you are visiting Italy, you will want to explore the origins of some of your favourite Italian dishes and ingredients.

prosciutto

Food factories in Emilia Romagna.

A visit to the Emilia-Romagna region of north-eastern Italy will give you the opportunity to visit the production houses of some of Italy’s best-loved and most famous foods.  The region is easily accessed from Bologna or Florence and the prized foods are made in and around the towns of Parma and Modena.
The three main foods you can see being manufactured from scratch are Prosciutto di Parma (Parma Ham), Parmigiano  Reggiano (Parmesan Cheese) and Aceto Balsamico (Balsamic vinegar).  These three products are the most famous of Italy’s food exports and are known far and wide.  Visitors to the region will be pleased to know that Parma and Modena are quite close to each other which makes it really easy to visit these 3 factories in one day, and still have time to sip some local Lambrusco (sparkling red wine from the region) before the sun sets.  

Food Experiences tours around Bologna and Parma.

The best way to visit all these factories is to go on an organised Culinary Tour, either using your own transport or, better yet, being collected at your hotel and driven around – this way you get to see more of the beautiful countryside.
The town of Parma is the home of Parmesan Cheese and Parma Ham (only Prosciutto from this little part of Italy may be called Parma Ham – likewise with the cheese – their region of origin is protected and similar products from other regions may not use the names.)   A typical culinary tour to see the production of these products will start with a visit to one of the many Parmesan Cheese manufacturers in and around the town of Parma.  The Parmesan production starts anew every single day, and you can watch the entire process from the arrival of the milk, to the storage in the cellars.  You will also be taught how to differentiate between real Parmesan and copies, which is very helpful when you get back home.
After the cheese, you will go to Modena to see how the Balsamic vinegar, Italian “Black Gold” is made.  This is a laborious artisanal procedure and you will leave with a better understanding of why the real thing is so expensive.  You will also get to taste, and learn some of the correct uses of this delicious condiment.
The cherry on the top of your tour will be when you visit the little town of Langhirano, just south of Parma, which is the original home of Parma Ham.  At the factory you will be guided through all the stages of producing a fine Parma Ham, which differs in some respects from ordinary Prosciutto Cotto (Dried Ham).  The proof of the pudding is in the eating, they say, and you will end your tour with a tasting session and then go on to enjoy a fabulous lunch.  

Winery tours in the Emilia Region

If you have a little more time, consider visiting some of the vineyards where the lovely regional Lambrusco is produced.  A leisurely day driving through the peaceful Italian countryside and visiting some of the wineries will round-off your culinary adventure perfectly.  Culinary tours can be tailor-made to suit your needs – just speak to your tour company.
farmer-lunch-in-modena

How to take the Bologna/Parma Food Tour with your own Car.

Going on a culinary tour of the Bologna/Parma area of Emilia Romagna should be a must on the itinerary of any food lover visiting Italy. The towns and villages around Bologna and Parma are the bread-basket of northern Italy and are home to the producers of the majority of famous Italian food exports such as Parma Ham (prosciutto di Parma), Parmesan Cheese (Parmigiano Reggiano) and real Balsamic vinegar (Aceto Balsamico). A typical culinary tour of the region will take you to see how all three of these products are made and give you the opportunity to taste them, followed by a lunch featuring the specialities of the region.

parmesan cheese ageing for 12 months
Rows of cheese in Italy – Modena

Parma hams visits in Parma, Make sure you have a GPS.

These tours generally start in Bologna, with an early-morning (7.30 am) departure, to be sure you get to the cheese manufacturer in time for the once-a-day morning tour, and you will be returned to Bologna after lunch. However, if you are not based in Bologna, it would probably suit you far better to do the tour in your own car. This option has many advantages, which will become evident as you read on. This is how do go about it.
Rent a car and GPS. You probably already have a rental car…it is by far the best way to see the many attractions of the Italian countryside. Be sure to request a GPS…all the producers are situated in rural areas, and can be really tricky to find.

Meet your guide.

Meet your tour guide at a pre-determined location near Modena, Parma or Bologna. This will save you a lot of time, as you can choose a location near the first stop of your tour. It is really important to have a guide to ensure you get the best out of your day; Our guides know the area and the producers extremely well and will be invaluable, especially if you do not speak Italian. They will also ensure that all visits that require advanced bookings will be organised well in advance to save you time.
The Culinary Tour will start with a visit to one of the 1600 Parmesan cheese producers, where the production process starts early every single morning of the year, and where you will be able to see the entire process from the raw milk to the finished product and the maturation cellars. From here you will move on to Modena, to see how the wonderful aged Balsamic vinegar is made, and learn why this product is so superior, and how to use it correctly.

Then it’s back into your car and on to Langhirano, south of Parma to visit a Parma Ham producer. Once again, you will have the opportunity to see the full production process and, best of all, get to taste the wonderful end-product. The tour will end will lunch, where you can savour Prosciutto de Parma and other regional cured meats before trying some of the traditional pasta of the region, followed by dessert and coffee.

This is the point where the full benefit of doing the tour in your own rental car becomes evident! Instead of being returned to Bologna, you have the freedom to spend the rest of your day enjoying the many pleasures of Parma and Modena. Now you will say goodbye to your guide and have time to explore on your own.

Both Modena and Parma are very charming and characteristic Italian towns, full of churches, art, architecture and interesting shops. Stroll around the piazza in Modena and visit the wonderful fresh food market (Mercato Albinelli) to shop for your supper, or sit at one of the outside cafes and enjoy an espresso while you watch the world go by. Ferrari fans could go to Maranello and visit the Ferrari Museum, while if culture is more to your liking you could visit the beautiful Romanesque Cathedral. Finish off a perfect day with a glass of local Lambrusco.

detail of parma hams
prosciutto di Parma

 

A Tour of the production of Mozzarella di Bufala around Paestum

 

Greek temples and buffalo?  No one would expect to find them together, but that is exactly what awaits you when you visit Paestum, near Salerno in Southern Italy, home to the world – famous Buffalo Mozzarella. Emilia Delizia organises food and cultural tours around South of Italy. Do you hesitate to contact us should you need more information about the tours.

mozzarella
making mozzarella – source

For many Italians fresh Mozzarella di Bufala is a most evocative food, associated with Summer, Coastal holidays and lovely summery Caprese salad!  Often local people stop to buy fresh Mozzarella on their way home from a trip to the coast and many people make the trip from Naples just to get their hands on the really fresh product.  Locals believe that by the time the cheese has been delivered to their area is has already lost the characteristics that make it special.   Today, visitors to the Paestum area, near Salerno in Southern Italy, have the opportunity of visiting several water buffalo farms and dairies, most of which are conveniently situated along a stretch of the SS18, locally known as “Mozzarella Road”.  Not only can you taste and buy the fresh product at source, but you can also take a tour to see the entire production process from raw milk to delectable cheese;  (And you get to see some of the best preserved examples of Greek temples in the world…).

What is PDO Mozzarella di Bufala?

In 2008 the cheese was awarded PDO status, meaning Protected Designation of Origin.  To qualify for PDO status a product must have qualities particular to a certain region (in this case the milk can only be sourced from local herds of buffalo)  and in addition, the product must be entirely produced, processed and prepared only in that region. Several other Italian cheeses also have PDO status, including Parmesano Reggiano, Gorgonzola and Asiago.

 Some of the best dairies near Paestum

You have a wide variety of dairies to visit near Paestum, so to help you choose here are a few of the best ones where you can not only taste and buy the cheese, but also see the production process.  (However, you need to be there early – it is all over by 11am!)   Farm Barlow – Barlotti cheese Azienda Caseiria Salati Caseificio e Yogurteria Il Granato and Tenuta Vannulo – possibly the best-known – offering tours in several languages and one of the few organic farms.  

What you can expect to see on the Mozzarella Tour

You can expect to first visit some of the buffalo!  The animals are very well looked-after;  you will see their sleeping quarters complete with mattresses, and perhaps witness them being milked.  You then watch the production process:  the raw milk is heated and poured into a cream separator.  It is then curdled by the adding of natural whey after which the curds are matured in large tubs.  This is followed by the adding of hot water to soften the curds, (a process called Spinning).  Now the curds are shaped and cooled by immersing in cold water. At most of the dairies the process is highly automated, but there are still a few where the cheese is shaped by hand. Finally the finished products are packed into pickling tubs containing some of the original whey. Then comes the best part – the tasting!  Mozzarella di Bufala is best eaten immediately, and you will often see queues of people waiting for the fresh product which is usually sold out by midday.   Most important – if you want an English tour phone ahead and book at whichever dairy you would like to visit. It is also possible to take an organized tour which includes a visit to one of the dairies as well as a visit to the Temples and archaeological musuem at Paestum.  Several of the dairies also sell fantastic fresh yoghurts and ice cream and this experience is something you definitely should not miss.

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