Stazione Medio Padana Reggio Emilia, trains from Milan in 45 minutes
Foodie’s Delight 3 Food Tour: Experience the Culinary Gems of Italy
Are you a food lover and looking for an authentic Italian food experience? Look no further than the Foodie’s Delight 3 Food Tour departing from Modena or Bologna. But did you know that you can also take this tour starting from Milan, Parma or Reggio Emilia, Venice and Verona or Turin? By taking the Italo train or Freccie high-speed trains, you can arrive at Stazione Medio Padana, which is conveniently located near the starting point of the tour.
Stazione Medio Padana is a modern train station that offers various services to travelers, including a food court, luggage storage, and free Wi-Fi. Once you arrive at the station, We can pick up from there!
The Foodie’s Delight 3 Food Tour offers an unforgettable culinary experience that includes three stops: Parmesan cheese production, balsamic vinegar producer, and Villani’s Salami, famous for its Parma ham, mortadella, and prosciutto San Daniele. You’ll have the opportunity to taste and purchase these delicious products at bargain prices.
On Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, the tour is automatically upgraded to include a visit to the prosciutto factory, where you can see the full production process of this famous Italian cured meat. On Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, you can upgrade your tour to include a visit to Prosciuttificio Leonardi or Guerzoni instead of MUSA, for a full prosciutto production tour.
Additionally, you can add on a winery brunch or cooking class at an organic winery to extend your foodie adventure. The tour ends at around 13.00 hours, but with the add-ons, it can last until 15.30 or 16.00.
The Foodie’s Delight 3 Food Tour is available 7 days a week and is conducted in English only. Private tours are not available, but the groups are small, ensuring an intimate and personalized experience.
If you’re coming from Milan, Parma, or Reggio Emilia, take advantage of the Italo or Freccie high-speed trains to arrive at Stazione Medio Padana, and then join this fantastic food tour.
If you’re coming from Milan, you can take the Italo train, which takes about 40 minutes to reach Stazione Medio Padana. From Parma or Reggio Emilia, the train ride takes around 15-40 minutes.
Stazione Medio Padana is a modern and stylish train station located in the northeastern part of the city of Reggio Emilia, in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. It is an important transportation hub that connects various cities in Italy, including Milan, Bologna, Verona, Venice, and more.
The station was designed by the famous Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, who is known for his innovative and futuristic designs. The station building features a large and airy atrium with a glass roof, which allows plenty of natural light to filter in. There are also several shops, restaurants, and cafes within the station, making it a convenient place to grab a bite to eat or do some shopping while waiting for your train.
Stazione Medio Padana is well-equipped with modern facilities and amenities, including free Wi-Fi, luggage storage, ticket offices, and information desks. It is also fully accessible to people with disabilities, with elevators and ramps available throughout the station.
If you’re planning to take the Foodie’s Delight 3 Food Tour departing from Modena, Bologna, or any other nearby city, Stazione Medio Padana is an excellent place to start your journey. The station is well-connected to the rest of the city and the region, with several public transportation options available, including buses and taxis.
Visitors seeking fun and adventure are most welcome at Reggio Emilio.. To fully appreciate its tourist attractions, travelers are asked to stay for some time. The menu and the Italian flag are some of the most fascinating things.
The Food of Reggio Emilia, Taste Parmesan and Cappelletti.
The famous Parmigiano reggiano cheese produced mainly in Parma and also in Reggio Emilia and consumed widely across the country was born here. Get the chance to enjoy a variety of egg plasta such as the popular cappelletti. This type of egg plasta is irresistible and appetizing, and can be consumed with capon broth or cream. It is believed this delicacy appears to be seductive in men, as it is also thought to have a ‘hat’ sort of shape that recalls both the medieval headgear .
Traditional Deli Antica Salumeria Pancaldi.
Antica Salumeria Pancaldi offers you the chance to taste, buy, and eat directly at the deli prosciutto, parmigiano, balsamic vinegar, and more. Your trip to Reggio Emilia is never complete without tasting the variety of delicacies offered here. For instance, get the chance to grab parma hams and an unimaginable variety of salami at lower prices. What is more is that you can buy these special foods as whole, in slices or in pieces, just was you want it. You can also eat them directly at Antica Salumeria as they now offer seated service. Moreover, their shop also gives you the best quality of cheese known as Parmiggiano Reggiano, which is produced directly in Reggio Emilia countryside along with their traditional Aceto Balsamico. You surely cannot afford to miss this taste.
Stay At Hotel posta in Reggio Emilia.
The 4- star hotel located at the heart of Reggio Emilia in a historical building will offer you a relaxing stay. The conducive atmosphere characterized with history, art, tradition and every modern comfort will leave you mesmerized. Spacious and a supervised car park, recharging of electric cars, free bicycle, free wifi, gym, warm 24-hour reception, disabled friendly environment, bar, lift, pets welcome, safe and luggage store are some of the services you will enjoy. For people who crave for a place where art,history and tradition is celebrated them this is the spot. As if not enough, the ambience and tranquility of this property gives you the perfect and incomparable modern comfort. Additionally, the hotel’s location right in the center of the oldest part of the city is the right position for a tourist to access Reggio Emilia’s most outstanding attractions.
Italian Flag Museum – Museo Del Tricolore.
The Museum is free and located right in the center of the town of Reggio Emilia. Here is a chance to learn about Italian history through its flag.
The national flag is the most popular of Italian symbols. It consists of three vertical brands of equal width of colors green, white and red. On the hoist side is where the green band is located. The national emblem is designed as a white five-pointed star. In the center it has a red border and a cogwheel. On the right of the wheel there is a branch of an oak and branch of olive on the left. What makes the Italian flag stand out from the rest of the flags around the world is its design in general. The three colors in the flag were initially used by the Cisalpine Republic back in the 1797. Red and white colors were originally the colors of Milan, while the green was the uniform color of the Milanese civic guards.
Today, it is believed the green color represents Italy’s land, the white on the other hand represents the snow-topped peaks of the Alps, while the red is the bold color that represents the blood that was shed during the Italian Independence and Unification war. What is more fascinating is that fact that the three colors have a more deeper spiritual meaning: representing three most important virtues in Italy, which are hope, faith and charity.
In summary, do not miss a chance to visit Reggio Emilia for what it has to offer. From the Parmigiano Reggiano cheese to the cappelletti egg plasta, are delicacies you want to taste. In addition, Antica Salumeria Pancadi offers you more irresistible and appetizing foods to make your trip memorable. What is more is the culture and tradition in Italy which is evidenced on its monumental state symbol such as the Italian flag.
For most travelers, nothing quite beats the thrill of an outdoor adventure. That feeling you get when you step out of the busy urban life is unprecedented. A serene wilderness out there where nature is at its best can be breathtaking.
Factor in a destination with water where you can swim and or bath, and you have more to look forward to. Well, Italy has a fair share of some of the best picks you can consider. You will have many options at your disposal. We have put together four of the best wilderness destination picks for your next trip. If you are planning to enjoy your next getaway, then keep reading to find your perfect next stop.
Golfarone waterfall
golfarone
Waterfalls have their own way of making any hike worthy. And this particular one offers an impressive climax to a wilderness adventure. The scenery spot is in a quite remote place in Val d’Asta in Appenninno.
How to get there
This waterfall is about 500 meters off the road; you will need to hike along an isolated path from Civago. The path leading to this waterfall is not marked, but it is rather apparent that you can hardly miss it.
Then wade through Secchiello stream to access the 15-meter high waterfall. Look for the right route so as not to become over exhausted. Below it you will find several hops with shallow but very clear water pools.
What to do once your’e there
Once there, you can have a great time cooling from the heat of the day in the wilderness. The only problem is that since 2017, people cannot swim in these pools. This resulted from numerous injuries as people were jumping off the waterfall and injuring themselves in the shallow pools below. Nevertheless, this small yet fascinating destination offers an ideal stop with its crystal clear water pools.
Only make sure not to go down there with sandals. Trekking down the slope to the waterfall is not as easy as a family walk. Consider bringing with you some ideal hiking boots. If you like being out in the wilderness, then this waterfall is worth a try. It offers all the serenity you would ever ask for in a spot away from the crowds.
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These springs offer yet another impressive destination to check out in Italy. They are located in the Villa Minozzo region. The source and the flow itself are quite amazing, with around 600 liters per second flow. The water is highly saline with minerals, both physically and chemically. It has a high level of sodium chloride, which makes it unique and intriguing scenery to visit. The interest in this spot isn’t new; it has been a cause for curiosity since the 1600s. The spot has an even longer history since about 2 million years ago; this area was under the sea. Then the sea evaporated, leaving the salinity in the hills.
It all started with the quest to exploit the area’s salinity. These waters have several therapeutic indications like constipation in the digestive organs, moderate liver dysfunction, and gallbladder disease. Others include diabetes and obesity among others. If you are looking for a relaxing on a picnic day out in the wilderness, then this is it.
How to get there
You can access them off the bridge Gatta in Castelnovo ne’ Monti town, Le Salse locality. Once you leave the town (which is not hard to find once you are in Italy) and proceed down, head for the banks of river Secchia. It only takes about two hours to reach the springs. The sources stand out thanks to their copious and whitish flow. You can take different routes through the woods, or reach it with a car if you so wish. Then enjoy a nice lawn where you can play.
What to do there
Among the things, you can enjoy include the beautiful fish in the flow. The short walk to the scenic destination takes you through paths that let you see the springs from different points. You will find perfect spots to enjoy the sun and relaxing shades under trees. Then there are tables where you can enjoy your lunch.
There’s also a bar and restaurant with impressive services. And yeah, you can take a bath in the end part of the stream as it enters the Secchia River. Among the reasons why these springs are worth a hard look is that they flow all year around. And every time of the year, the scene and the experience is always breathtaking.
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Italy has many exciting destinations to check out, and this lake is one of the top options on the list. The lake is about 1,501 meters above sea level, and formed from partly glacier and partly landslides. At 1250m perimeter, about 20 meters at its deepest point, and around 550 meters it’s the largest natural lake in the Apennines. The lake has three tributaries flowing into it, one flowing from Boccaia, the other from the Serra coast. And the last stream flows from a grassy 150m long, 600m long Borra dei Porci terrace that hangs about 150m above the lake surface.
Accessing this lake is easy from the nearest and largest village – Pievepelago along Brenner road. From here, you can turn to state road that connects to Passo delle Radicci as you head out to the wilderness Then you will find signs for the Tagliole village and Lake Santo. If you are coming from Abetone, you can make use of a recently opened road along the Dogana Nuova region.
Turn to the left, with the Monte Modino massif on your right side, then cross Valle delle Tagliole and several other villages as Ronchi, Rotari, and others. Along the lake’s shores, you can park your car in a large parking lot available. You can reach it easily from a car park in only a few minutes.
What to do there
This makes a scenic destination for anyone seeking to enjoy the Italian wilderness away from the heat of the city. Have an adventurous time and enjoy the cool, clear and fresh waters and fantastic scenery out here. From swimming to bathing, diving and just kicking back and relaxing, the fun is almost endless. There is always a reason to visit this lake; it has a rich history that you can want to relive. But it’s the lovely scene and the fun out there that will blow you away.
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For a place with fresh and cold bathing water, this is where you need to enjoy a hot summer day out in the wilderness. Here, you will find natural pools for an unparalleled experience. It only takes a few minute hike from Versilia. But finding these pools can prove challenging, make sure to have sensible shoes on. Also, be careful with the stepping-stones. You don’t want to bear an excruciating trek back to your villa.
So, how do I get there?
There are many routes to get to these pools. One of these is crossing Pietrasanta, and proceeding right along the riverbank. Head straight to and past Vallecchia, then cross a bridge and take to the right. Another option is approaching from Pietrasanta, head to Querceta, once you reach the second traffic light, proceed to the underpass and take the route to Monti, past Pozzi and Ripa.
Once you get here, the path is mostly the same. When you get past Corvaia, you will find a fork in the river, with an iron bridge to the right, go for the left-side road. This one will take you past Seravezza, Riomago as well as Molbacco. Keep going right ahead, around 1.2 km past Molbacco, you will come to the first pool on your left. There’s also an ample parking space. Proceed for another 2 km, you will find a sign on the left. You can park here and proceed on a footpath that descends about 10 minutes through the woods to Molbacco.
What to do
You can have fun in these pools, bathing and swimming to cool off the hot sun in the wilderness. It’s best to bring with you a packed lunch. And come in the late morning hours for the best experience. Molbacco pools are among the best destinations you can go for, there’s a lot to see and do. The experience is outright unique.
Apparently, Italy has a whole lot to offer for virtually every adventurer. And these four destinations offer some of the best treats by far. You can always step out there and have all the fun in the cool water. Have a scenic view of the virgin wilderness and enjoy the ample environment away from the cities. The fun is ever flowing out there; go and have a share of this bliss.
Reggio Emilia is often overlooked by the tourists coming to Emilia Romagna. Reggio Emilia is a medium size town on the Via Emiia situated between Modena and Parma, and it makes the perfect base for the culinary traveller as there are many gourmet foods to be discovered.
Reggio Emilia and Parmesan cheese.
Reggio Emilia is in the cradle of Parmigiano Reggiano. The history of this amazing cheese starts here. Bibbiano has been named the town where the first production started around 900 years ago due to the discovery of the first written accounts of the cheese production. Therefore visiting Reggio Emilia makes perfect sense for those interested in seeing the production of Parmesan cheese.
Traditional balsamic vinegar of Reggio Emilia.
Modena made balsamic vinegar known worldwide but the production of aceto balsamic tradizionale is not restricted to the Modenese province. In the tradition balsamic vinegar was the dowry of young women who would marry and bring the vinegar barrels with them. Due to the close proximity of the two provinces the tradition was also brought in Reggio Emilia. Here it is possible to find more old fashioned producers who make only high quality traditional balsamic vinegar rather than concentrating on industrial vinegar as many do in Modena.
Fresh Egg Pasta: tortelli di zucca.
Of course Reggio Emilia, as all towns in the Emilia Region, produces its own version of fresh egg pasta. One of the most peculiar ones are the Tortelli di Zucca. Sometimes hat or ravioli shaped these parcels are filled with ricotta cheese, parmesan and pumpkin. Some recipes require a hint of crumbled amaretti biscuits in the filling, it is indeed an acquired taste but they can be delicious when topped with melted butter parmesan cheese and a few drops of balsamic vinegar.
A Medieval Pie: Erbazzone.
Erbazzone belongs to the simple farmer’s style cuisine. The women in the kitchen had to come up with something filling and tasty so erbazzone is a pastry made with lard and flour with a filling of chard, spinach, or whatever was in the allotment at the time of preparation. The filling requires to be laced with parmesan cheese, and you could put as much as you could afford. The pastry is pierced with a fork to let vegetable inside to steam when baking in the oven.
Culaccia ham.
Culaccia is a culatello, (the best prosciutto cut) but it is cured with the rind on. This technique allows the meat to stay soft and tender. Culaccia can be found on the Reggio Emilia hills where the climate is drier and away from the foggy plains. In some cases Culaccia beats Parma ham and culatello in tasting competitions. So it is well worth to look for some slices of culaccia in the next trip to Italy.
Normally its cows that are branded, but this is Parmigiano-Reggiano from Italy often referred to as parmesan cheese. Parmesan does start with cows but it’s only their milk we want. This dairy in Mantova, Italy uses half a ton of milk for each block of cheese. It’s made in these huge copper vats. Each one holds 990 liters enough to make two giant Parmesan wheels.
Those cows have a lot of grass to eat to keep up with production. Parmesan is a hard cheese so the milk needs to be solidified. The ideal temperature for this is 33 degrees. To get the milk to solidify, the cheese maker will use rennets. This enzyme comes from calves stomachs, and it’s poured in and left for a moment to work its magic.
Because of strict European laws constraining trademarks. Parmigiano-Reggiano can only be made in certain Italian regions. This means each producer must make as much as they can because global demand is huge. As the rennet takes effect, the head cheese maker will notice subtle changes in the milk’s consistency.
The workers keep a very close eye out so they know when to start the next step. When the time is right, they get to work. Using custom made cutters, they slice through the yogurt-like substance, breaking it into lumps. This helps separate the cheese curds from the whey. After three minutes of this, the temperature is raised and the two parts separate.
The solid curds fall to the bottom leaving the liquid whey at the surface. This custom made knife casts over 4,000 pounds and it’s designed to cut the big lump of cheese at the bottom of the tank in half. In the Parmesan business, high tech goes hand in hand with old school. The cheese master now uses his big wooden paddle to lift the two halves so his colleagues can wrap them in cloth.
If they left the cheese in the bottom of the tank, someone would have to climb inside to get them out. This way is far easier. The workers can now suck out all the old whey, making the tanks ready for the next load of milk. Once the cheese is removed, it’s wrapped up and a weight is put on top. This squeezes out excess fluid.
As a hard cheese, Parmesan needs as little fluid as possible. It’ll remain like this for eight hours in a Teflon-mold. As the cheese spreads out, this imprints the dairy’s name into the sides. After about 24 hours, the Teflon form is substituted for a metal one. Here it will sit down and take on the characteristic wheel shape with a flat top and bottom and curved sides.
After three days in their molds, these cheeses could really do with a bath, a salt bath. This process actually improves that cheesy smell. The cheese is left in this salty brine for a month before it’s taken out to be dried. This helps improve the cheese’s final flavor. Once it’s time to get out of that shag bathwater they make their way to the ripening room.
The contents of this room are estimated have a total value of 17 million pounds and our freshly baked Parmesan wheels are about to join them. The wheels will spend up to two years in here maturing slowly. But to avoid growing mold they have to be turned at least once every two weeks. Turning this many cheeses would be very dull and very hard so a robot is used instead.
Although after doing this job for such a long time it looks like the robots could also do with some turning. As it matures the staff keep a close eye on the cheeses. Using his official hammer the head cheesemaker will tap on a random sample. His expert ear knows the sound of a good Parmesan from a bad one.
He’ll use a little corkscrew to test a sample, and ensure the cheese is maturing nicely. When he satisfied it up to scratch, he’ll fire up his trusty brand and mark the cheese. From it’s humble beginnings via some rather dark and briny bathwater, the world’s favorite pasta topping is born.
The Text has been extracted from this video, the cheese represented is actually Grana Padano and not Parmigiano Reggiano.
A video in high quality shot during our gourmet tours in June 2012, with cool music and special effect enjoy.
The traditional balsamic Italian vinegar from Reggio Emilia is one of the most well knows product of the Italian cuisine. A rare product spread all around the world for its particular taste ad proprieties. Grapes and tradition linked to give to the people a unique product loved by everyone. A way of life, tradition and respect for the land, love and family heritage that stand still in this particular area since many years. The Italian food culture is well know all around the planet and this is why it is so. The heritage of the families stand where it belongs.
The Rampata word comes from a non common term, a dialect from Reggio Emilia “La Rampeda”, a famous area that slopes or in some cases “ramps” upwards the hills around. We find our selves on the banks of the little Enza river in the Montecchio Emilia area. A region well known for Lambrusco and obviously for the balsamic vinegar from the region Henry III of Franconio in 1046 crossed the north of Italy traveling to Rome to see the Pope and receiving the imperial coronation. In the days in the Po’s region he brought a lot of gift to Boniface of Canossa, the father of Matilda and one of the most relevant men in the kingdom. This is because he’d like to receive in return the famous vinegar from this area a product well known in the area and made in his castle. Many people told him about the qualities of this product. Balsamic vinegar is a rare good, a luxury good because the specific term “balsamic” comes from the word “balsam” and it was used and considered in the past as a drug and an elisir of long life. The secret of this product is the time that guarantees the best quality and it’s impossible to have a traditional balsamic vinegar from Reggio Emilia without a long time process. We’re cooking the grape juice because the must needs one day cooking in a cauldron directly on the fire, but at low heat. In this way. The liquid part slowly disappear and the sugars can concentrate. When the product will be put into barrels the natural process will happen, the fermentation that get converted the sugar into alcohol. When I was young, none of us: my brother, my cousins and me can help in this particular phase because it was considered too dangerous. We can watch the cooking from the window and because it needs a long time, we woke up early in the mourning opening the windows smelling the aroma of the must entering the rooms. Knowing what was happening, but the only thing we could do was to peeking out from the window. Our farm stands inside the vineyards, our oxygen, our family’s oxygen. We have Malvasia’s wine, Trebbiano, Ancellotta, Grasparossa and few varieties of Lambrusco. There is a maniac care gives to the plants, because we perfectly know that everything is born from here, from this soil. So we can’t leave everything to chance, especially in this last period, thanks to all the attention and care to the basic ingredients and production phases of the Lambrusco Wine, we’ve reached incredible results. Not just the Italian market, but also the foreign markets have given us huge satisfaction. Wines absolutely need a good years. We try to produce the traditional balsamic vinegar during good vintage, but the grapes play quite a relative role, meaning that grapes juice when cooked for long time automatically loses a but of its vintage. Talking about the traditional balsamic vinegar, really needs ageing in the barrels, into the barriques. This is the real secret. We’re in the “acetaia”, in the attic. All the “acetaie” are always in the top parts of the buildings, in the attics because the strong cold during the winter time and the humid heat during the summer are really crucial. To get the traditional balsamic vinegar you need a series of different barrels called “batteria”. Our family tradition use to have a 5 barrels series made of different sizes: 50 litres, 40 litres, 30 litres, 20 and 15 litres. All made from different woods.
Evey time a child was born, especially a girl, a new “batteria” of barrels started. This “batteria” was given as dowry for the future marriage of this girl. Every member of my family has a personal “batteria” and obviously every personal “batteria” is personally considered the best one. Thinking about my childhood the treasures were these family traditional balsamic vinegar barrels. My family has been producing traditional balsamic vinegar and wine for 4 generation, about 100 years. My grandfather Ermete inherited this passion for the work, the wine, while the traditional balsamic vinegar was kept only for family use. The word “tradition” is connected entirely to my microcosm like everything that belongs to me. It’s an experience of my life, a part of me from the outside and the inside. The important is communicating this feelings in a correct way to the others, not only the children, but all the persons the we meet daily. I have a huge respect for the people who have passed this down to me, but always watching to the future.
The Italian tradition inside a simple product that is possible to use in many different ways. A precious recipe that stand still on the top of the Italian goods export. The traditional balsamic vinegar from Reggio Emilia is the essence of the Italian rural culture and a cuisine product that is possible to use on many different foods. If you have never tried this amazing product, now it’s time to change you habits and to enjoy the taste of a unique essence.
It’s a bank, but not as we know it. With all the security of any vault, except in here, it’s not money they’re guarding but cheese.
Three hundred thousand blocks of Parmesan cheese worth 120 million pounds to be exact. All part of a unique cheese for money loan program run by a bank. We help fiance the Parmesan cheese makers because their cheese takes two years before it’s ready for sale, that gives them a cash flow problem. So we take take their cheese in return for a cheap loan.
The Credem Bank takes the cheese from local producers on deposit and stores it here. It’s cleaned, turned, and tapped in a constant process of checking. Once the cheese is here in this vault both the parmesan cheese maker and the bank want to make sure it’s kept in top quality condition. Which is why this man is tapping it, he’s an expert in keeping that parmesan fresh.
A small wonder because this one block weighs 40 kilograms and is worth more than five hundred and fifty pounds. Giovanni Gualdi is 71 and has been a parmesan cheese maker all his life. But it’s a slow labor intensive process. But whilst the cheese ripens, the bills and wages still have to to be paid.
More than a hundred cheese makers have been forced out of business in the past five years. That’s why those like Giovanni rely on a cash-for-cheese agreement to be paid.
It ‘s been a difficult 5 years. The market has been very bad. Businesses here have spent money so they rely on the loans. Otherwise they would shut.
If the producer defaults on his loan, Credem Bank can simply sell the parmesan. It’s thinking about extending the idea to olive oil and parma ham. For now though it’s cheese and a bank that’s taking a mature attitude to lending. Duncan Kennedy, BBC News, Emilia-Romagna, Northern Italy.
In the early hours of the Morning of 20th May 2012 an earthquake of magnitude 5.9 struck the area around Ferrara. Many people felt the bang in the middle of the night and they were awaken by the shaking. There have been instanced of severely damaged building in the area and 4 people seems to have died due to the shaking. Ferrara is a town in the region of Emilia Romagna about 70 km from Modena and 50 km from Bologna. Despite the epicenter being between Modena and Bologna and the damage here in Modena and Bologna was minimal only a major scare for everyone. The train line was suspended for several hours however the authorities managed to restarted the service.
The strangest thing that happened here it is that about 30 thousand wheels of parmesan cheese were knocked down from their ageing shelves causing considerable damage to the producers.
Bologna
It was very scary a resident reports, but there are no damages to the buildings.
Modena
In Modena city centre there have been no damages however in the town of Finale Emilia a bell tower was damaged, 35 hospital patients have been evacuated.
Reggio Emilia.
People in Reggio Emilia felt the vigorous shaking but no damages to the infrastructure were reported.
Parma.
Just the shaking were felt without any damage.
Emilia Delizia notice to our clients.
Emilia Delizia would like to reassure that despite the scary moments Bologna, Modena and Parma areas are perfectly safe. Our gourmet tours will be running as normal and planned for the coming days. Therefore do not cancel your foodie holidays as all services have restarted as normal in just hours after the quake.
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News about the earthquake from the BBC – Video transcript.
When a magnitude six earthquake struck northern Italy, 10% of the world’s supply of Parmigiano came crashing the ground. Cheese makers are not just facing ruined Parmesan, but potentially financial ruin. One of these rounds sells for $800. When the shelves holding the Parmesan fell, the oldest rounds fell last.
It’s these cheeses, the ones that have been maturing for up to two years that the owners are now desperately trying to sell.
“We’re trying to push the cheese into the market immediately so the Parmigiano is eaten and we avoid dumping it.”
In the city of Modena, the farmers are selling the Parmesan at a 40% discount.
They don’t appear to be having any trouble attracting buyers.
“I chose to come here in solidarity with my people and also because the price is lower.”
If you want to get a sense of what’s financially at stake for these farmers you need to look no further than the local bank. In the vault, thousands of rounds of Parmesan are held as collateral for the loans given to cheese makers.
Recently, farmers here have been struggling to survive with a hundred going out of business in the last five years. Of course, it’s not just about the money, but tradition. They’ve been making Parmesan and in the Emilia-Romagna region for 9 centuries. Zoe Conway, BBC News.
How to visit a traditional balsamic vinegar producer in Modena – Emilia Romagna – Italy.
Emilia Delizia can take you to tour a traditional ACETAIA as we call the traditional balsamic vinegar producer here in Modena. Most visitors will be surprised by the difference between the “regular” or industrial balsamic vinegar and the DOP traditional balsamic vinegar that it is produced only in private houses in Modena and Reggio Emilia. Traditionally a batch of new balsamic vinegar was only started at the birth of a baby girl and it would become her dowry when she would marry. In the past centuries the aceto balsamico was only used within the family and sometimes given to important guests. It is said that the Duke of Modena had his own important vinegar attic, in his palace, important people would be introduced to the delights of the black gold when visiting Modena by the ducal family. As part of our tours we can take people to visit private villas and houses where this black nectar is still produced in small quantities in the most traditional way.
How Balsamic vinegar is made in Modena.
Traditional balsamic vinegar of Modena is made from initially reducing organic grape juice (must) to about 30% by just simmering the product for about 24 hours, this is to increase the sugar content in the juice. It is important to never reach the boiling point in order to preserve the friendly bacteria that are already present in the liquid. This is done at harvest time between September and October the grape must is obtained from Lambrusco and Trebbiano grapes. To age the vinegar a set of barrel is required. A mother barrel usually the lager in a set of 4,5 or 6 increasingly smaller barrels, all made of different woods such as acacia, ash, chestnut, mulberry, cherry. From this moment in autumn it will take at least 12 years of painstakingly topping the evaporated must from the last but one barrel to the last one, and the repeating the sequence from the last but two to the last but one and so on until the mother barrel is then topped up with fresh grape must. No vinegar will be drawn for at least 12 years to obtain at least the “younger balsamic vinegar”.
How to use traditional balsamic vinegar.
The tradition wants that the precious black nectar obtained by the natural concentration of the flavours is used as a digestive at the end of the meal. It is best consumed on plastic or ceramic spoon as metal it is very cold and it would lower the sensory experience.
12 years old traditional balsamic vinegar.
It has more acidity than the other vintages and the sweetness is more subtle. You will soon find out that the favours of the woods are felt on different parts of your tongue and mouth. This balsamic vinegar is particularly indicated on fresher cheeses such as ricotta or mozzarella. You can also add to meat or fish dishes. The important that is used sparingly and only added the end of cooking.
The extra old vintage 24 years old traditional balsamic vinegar of Modena
The acidity decreases and the sweetness is more present, but it is not a flat sugary sensation, it is actually very complex. On your tongue you feel the taste of the blended wood tannins such as the spiciness of juniper or the sweetness of the cherry wood. At this age it is a perfect match for aged cheese such as Parmesan or even for desserts: straberries, chocolate and ice creams.
28 YEARS OLD VINEGAR and over – Only in the Reggio Emilia province.
Only produced and marketed at this age in the Reggio Emilia. At this point the vinegar has lost a lot of its acidity and it the wood and the sweetness becomes even more accentuated, almost like a sweet complex black nectar. It is best consumed at the end of the meal as a digestive. The province of Reggio Emilia is also a producer of Traditional balsamic vinegar due to the proximity to Modena. The tradition was brought in Reggio Emilia as many women were marring across the 2 provinces bringing their dowry with them. During our Balsamic vinegar tour it is possible to visit Reggio Emilia producer and discover the 3 ageing typical of the area. If you want to learn more about Reggio Emilia culinary tradition please continue reading here.
Balsamic Vinegar Places You Can Visit On Your Own
If you’re an all-round foodie or just love food, there are some things that you can do during your stay in Italy that are food-related and are sure to enhance your experience. Besides trying out the local cuisine and all the traditional dishes available to you, there are activities you can do to fully immerse in the world of Emilia Romagna’s food. Restaurants are a thing you really cannot miss (you’re bound to end up eating out during your vacation, and there’s plenty of excellent places to choose from), but you can also go to local producers to sample ingredients and dishes made with them for a full-on experience. And while you’re looking through reviews and suggestions from fellow foodies on great places that offer food tasting experiences, don’t forget about other pleasures available to you. For example, wine tasting tours are a great idea – as are tours of balsamic vinegar places. Balsamic vinegar might just be a condiment, but if you get deeper into the local culture, you’ll discover that balsamic vinegar in Emilia Romagna is a whole different deal: it’s tradition, it’s pride in local ingredients, it’s about employing processing methods passed down through generations. In short, visiting the place of production of balsamic vinegar will give you a glimpse into the history of this part of Italy, and there are several options to choose from when it comes to where you’re supposed to go to have a taste of Emilia Romagna.
Villa San Donnino
Villa San Donnino is located in a liberty-style villa just outside Modena, the birthplace of Balsamic Vinegar, this will be a very picturesque destination if you want to enjoy the history of this product in a suggestive environment. Since the certified DOP Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena is produced throughout a very limited and controlled area of Emilia Romagna, it’s something that can truly be sampled only when in this type of location. The Acetaia Villa San Donnino would be a great choice for your balsamic vinegar tasting tour, or shopping and booking through the website is recommended . Once there, you’ll have a chance to see the traditional production methods for the vinegar and taste it paired with great local dishes.
Acetaia Di Giorgio
On their website it’s possible to book a visit to this acetaia (vinegar processing place) to, once again, see how the vinegar is produced, get in touch with the history of this excellent traditional product, sample and purchase DOP Balsamic Vinegar – right at the heart of the beautiful city of Modena. The Acetaia di Giorgio is a tiny balsamic vinegar place, family-owned and with a focus on how the vinegar truly is a legacy passed through the generations.
La Vecchia Dispensa
Another great place you can visit to explore the world of DOP Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena is this acetaia, located in Castelvetro di Modena. The acetaia offers guided tours and tastings of different products that can also be purchased at the shop, along with local jams, spirits, wines, sweets and other products from Modena to pair with the vinegar. Mailing the acetaia will allow you to book a tour but also to find out about special events held by La Vecchia Dispensa, such as lunches in the acetaia, cooking classes and hikes through the vineyards.
Acetaia Malpighi
In this acetaia, you will be able to go on a tour of the place, guided by experts, to discover the secrets of the production of this interesting local condiment. During the tour, you’ll learn more about the history of the Balsamic Vinegar of Modena, the techniques employed to achieve the final product, and you’ll have a chance to taste the vinegar. Groups of 10 people or more can arrange a special tour, which includes a vinegar and local food tasting, so you’ll be able to sample cold cuts, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, baked goods and wine typical of Modena all in the same package, for an all-round culinary experience.
Acetaia Bompana
Free tastings are held on every opening day in the Acetaia Bompana, and you can book tours if you want to learn about the Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena, other than just sampling it in all of its amazing shades of taste. The vinegar can be used in many different ways to enhance dishes, or can just be drizzled on a piece of Parmigiano cheese. This acetaia, like the other certified ones in the area of Modena, is the perfect place to sample the excellence of this traditional and local product. Purchasing some balsamic vinegar for yourself at the outlets annexed to the acetaie will guarantee top quality and an unforgettable taste of Modena to bring back home with you.
Balsamic vinegar barrels
Ampules containing balsamic vinegar “Tradizionale” for tasting
