Culatello ham tour from Parma

Culatello the king of cured meats – how to visit the producers in Italy.

Culatello is an Italian cold cut obtained form the best part of the pig: the back legs. The main differences between Parma ham and culatello are the followings: area of production, and the technique of curing the meats..

Culatello and its area of production – Parma province.

This ham is produced north of Parma on the flat lands of Pianura Padana. The huge flat lands that stretch from the Alps to the Apennini mountains in Italy, The PDO area of production is tiny making this product unique, highly sought after and luxurious, notably the towns of production are Busseto, Polesine Parmense, Zibello, Soragna, Roccabianca, San Secondo, Sissa and Colorno. Here the climate is much more humid and foggy than anywhere else in the area. Because of this characteristics it would be impossible to cure the ham on the bone as we would do for the Parma ham. Therefore with culatello the bone is removed to obtain 2 cuts, the main one culatello (literally the little ass) and the fiocchetto which is the inner muscle of the leg. The ingredients are just freshly slaughtered meat, salt and pepper.

How culatello is cured – the brick cellars.

Culatello requires humid brick cellars that are in the basement of buildings. The ham is then placed in a natural casing (pig bladder), tied and rubbed with salt and pepper only, also the meat need to reach the producer quickly from the moment of the slaughter to keep the bacterial load low, which helps to cure the meat without the use of artificial preservatives. Culatello will spend at least 12 months in these traditional cellars before being inspected by the experts of the consortium of Culatello di Zibello. The product is examined with a wooden mallet checking for potential defects.

Parma ham VS Culatello of Zibello.

Is one better than the other? Well there will be a lot of debate if we say so. In short they are 2 different produces. Parma ham has a very sweet taste and it is cured with very little salt however it is produced on a larger scale with a larger output while still maintaining the consortium high quality. Culatello remains a niche gourmet product still made by a handful producers with methods that track back to their grand fathers or sometimes their grand grand fathers. Culatello is also more difficult to obtain and it is more labour intensive than Parma ham. Finally culatello has a more elegant, fragrant, structured and prolonged flavour than Parma ham. It is drier in texture and more savoury and the taste keeps flowing as you chew it.

The final product – how to prepare it.

When finally becomes the so acclaimed gourmet products (it can cost up to 70 euros a kg), the meats are bright red with nice marbling of fat, which enhance the delicate savoury taste. In order to eat the ham, you will need to prepare it. You will need to remove the strings used to tie it, and soak it in wine for a few hours. This will help to remove easily the bladder . Once this is done you will have to slice it very thinly. A slicing machine gives the best results.

How to eat Culatello di Zibello.

Culatello it is a great appetiser, and it would go with a glass of Fortana del Taro wine, or Malvasia and why not with a nice glass or Lambrusco. As part of your appetiser dish you can also add some shaving of Parmesan and few drops of balsamic vinegar of Modena or Reggio Emilia.

How to visit a culatello producers in Parma.

Emilia Delizia can organise a culatello English guided tour, from Parma as part of our gourmet tours in Italy. We can pick you up from your hotel or meet you at a designated location. Our tours will always include a detailed visit and a generous final tasting. Don’t forget that this experience can be mixed with the Parmesan production, wine tours and balsamic vinegar production and cookery experiences.

Culatello making classes – Culinary experiences in Parma

For those interested in a hands on approach, we organise culatello ham curing techniques. Our highly trained master curer will show you how the make the precious ham. The typical class will last one morning and the participants will learn how to prepare, cure, and tie the meat according the ancient Italian tradition. Your product will be aged in the cellars and it can be sent to you when it is ready.

Cualtello tasting visits with cycling along the Po’ River.

The Po’ river has a lot to offer, in terms of gastronomic adventures that can be combined with cycling tours departing from Parma with destination Cremona, of course with the use of river boats. The Po’ also has a network of cycling paths touching many producers of culatello.

Lamborghini Factory tours

Visit the factory lines at this famous super car manufacturer based just outside Bologna.

Half way between Bologna and Modena, lurking in the unpretentious Italian country side you will find one of the most prestigious car marque in the world. The company funded by Mr. Ferruccio Lamborghini at the end of the 1960 who was originally a tractor manufacturer in the area. The entrepreneur having made a successful business decided to buy himself a Ferrari however he was not happy about some of the mechanical parts of the car. Consequently he decide to complain to the car maker who was also his friend Enzo Ferrari. Enzo did not take it lightly and replied to Ferruccio to mind his tractor business instead of worrying about Ferrari cars. Lamborghini felt insulted and he went straight into planning his own super car design business.

This is only half of the story of mr. Lamborghini who went to become of the maker of the most prestigious cars in the world. Now visitors with our English speaking guide will be able to visit the museums where they can admire the early models that made this company successful such as the Miura, Countach, and Diablo. On the first floor there are more recent models and prototypes such as Murcielago, Gallardo, Aventador and the Reventon a 4 seater only produced in a limited number but never went to full production.

Lamborghini factory tours

This factory allows visitors to enter the restricted areas and see the 2 lines that produce the 2 current models Gallardo and Aventador. The visitor will be taken by the Lamborghini own guide with a detailed visit in English to the factory grounds, including the engine fitting areas, dyno testing, and body work assembly lines. If English is not your first language Emilia delizia can always add to your super car adventure a translator in Russian, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese or Japanese.

The factory tour will start from the museum and it will continue into the factory, remember that photos are only allowed in the museum and before entering the restricted areas you will need to leave any bag, camera or phone in the secure lockers. The visit lasts about 60/70 minutes. The cost is about 40 euros at the moment of writing and if you wish to see only the museum the cost is 15 euros per person.

How to get to Lamborghini.

This might be a daunting task if you do not have your own car and if you are not familiar with the Bologna and Modena, and it would be even more difficult to come by public transport as in Sant Agatata Bolognese the home of Lamborghini there is no train only rare local buses from Bologna.

Our organised tours to Lamborghini with Factory visits.

We will be very happy to organise your visit to the car museums and factories, we can pick you up from any location with our driver and guide service, if you stay in Bologna, Modena, Florence, Parma, Ravenna or Milan it is doable in one day. With our services we provide a tour master on request who will be in the car with you to help and translate when necessary and we can accommodate parties of 2 to 100 people.

Prices for museum and factory visits.

At the time of writing for information only the price of the Lamborghini museum is about 15 euros and the factory visit and museum with English speaking guide is 40 euros. These prices do not include our booking fees, transport or our guide fees.

Pagani tour

Super Car tour in Modena with visits to Automobili Pagani

Emilia Delizia is not just about gourmet food. As we are based in Modena, Italy we would like to introduce to the pleasures of super cars. Pagani Automobili, just minutes from the centre of the town but also reachable from Bologna, is the company behind the Pagani Zonda and the new Pagani Huayra which are truly dream cars totally made in carbon fiber with over 700 horse power and weighting less than 1500 kg. The price tag might not be for everyone one but with our tours you will be able to see the show room and most importantly tour the workshop where the cars are being made. Visitors will be introduced to the remarkable life of Horatio Pagani who came from Argentina with a dream: build his super car in Modena. Only 40 cars build every year the Huayra the wind inspired successor of the Zonda, with price tag of around 1 million euros, raising to 1.5 to the race track only or customised versions. The details are remarkable the body is entirely made of carbon fiber, the core of the car is made in carbon titanium for safety reasons, the gear handle, and brake are carved out single pieces of aluminium like works of art. Each Mercedes engine is hand assembled by a single engineer who sign his work at the end of the production. The exhausts are made from titanium alloy and laser soldered for perfection. All parts are custom made for Pagani including each bolt that it is actually signed by the company.

Here at Emilia Delizia we will able to combine the Pagani factory tour with other super car tours, such as Lamborghini, the Panini museum with many vintage Maserati cars, Galleria Ferrari in Maranello, and the new Casa Natale Enzo Ferrari in Modena. We can made a day out for the whole family with visits to Parmesan production, Parma ham and balsamic vinegar.

The price for the museum and workshop visit is set at 25 euros per person and it will include a tour in English. This price does not include our fees.

The Parmesan cheese tour – Parma: Parmigiano Reggiano Factory departing from Bologna, Modena, Reggio Emilia.

Embark on an authentic gastronomic adventure with our comprehensive guide to the heart of Parmesan cheese production – Emilia Romagna.
From the rolling pastures of Modena, Parma, and Reggio Emilia to the bustling dairies in the provinces of Bologna and Mantua, discover the art of Parmigiano Reggiano, the ‘King of Cheeses.’ Produced just once a day in these historic regions of northern Italy, Parmesan is not just cheese; it’s a symbol of Italian heritage and a global ambassador of Italian cuisine. Journey with us through family-owned businesses and organic cooperatives, where tradition meets passion, and the raw milk of local cows transforms into golden wheels of Parmesan.
Witness the cheese-making process firsthand, from the curdling of the milk to the meticulous aging in cellars, a practice rooted deep in time. Experience the robust, complex flavors of a cheese that’s been expertly aged for a minimum of 12 months, earning its DOP certification and the honor of being called Parmigiano Reggiano.
Whether you prefer a guided tour complete with English-speaking guides and convenient hotel pickups or wish to embark on a self-guided exploration of Parmesan dairies, we’ve got you covered. As you journey through the picturesque landscapes of Emilia Romagna, savor the exquisite pleasure of Parmesan cheese savored in its homeland. Let’s start your Italian cheese journey today.

How to see the Parmesan Production at a Dairy in Italy, Find Your Cheese Tour Now.

Parmesan cheese production tours in Modena and Bologna — Cheese master meticulously crafting authentic Parmesan cheese

Parmesan cheese is produced only once a day and you will find it only in a small area in northern Italy. In fact it is mainly produced in Modena, Parma and Reggio Emilila however there are some producers in the Bologna and Mantua provinces. To see the production it is recommended to arrive at the dairy between 8.15 am and 9.30 in case there is a possibility to see larger producers where the cheese making process ends later. The visit lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Guests will be able to see with their eyes the whole process, from raw milk, the making of the curds, the brine process and the ageing cellars. There are about 300 dairies in the DOP production areas and Emilia Delizia has selected some of the best places to see the cheese making. We visit family owned businesses or organic cooperatives where the Parmean or Parmigiano Reggiano as we call it in Italy. The milks come from cows owned by the producers in the area, and this milk must reach the dairy within 2 hours as it is specified by the consortium. Parmesan cheese is then aged for a minimum of 12 months before receiving an inspection and only then if it is approved it become a DOP product and it can be sold as Parmigiano Reggiano. Emilia Delizia can organise a tour of the facility that produce the cheese, normally we can pick up the client from their hotel from Bologna at 7.15 am, or from Modena and Parma at 8.15 am. We can organise a car with driver to pick you up and an English speaking guide, however if you have your own car we can set you an itinerary that you can follow and save money on the chauffeur fees.

Parmesan Dairies To Visit On Your Own Around Modena

One of the pleasures of travelling through Italy most definitely lays in its food, especially when enjoyed in unique and picturesque settings. Emilia Romagna has a lot to offer in the way of traditional cuisine, most local dishes have made it worldwide and their success now graces the dining tables of all food enthusiasts around the world.

When enjoying local cuisine with simple or complex dishes – be it at a restaurant, a trattoria or in other such places that celebrate foodies’ needs with great food from the tradition of Emilia Romagna cooking – keep in mind that some of the ingredients you’re tasting are locally sourced and belong to the very history and culture of the Italian region. This is the case for the fames Balsamic Vinegar of Modena, for several kinds of ham and cold cuts made in the area, and is also true for Parmesan cheese.

While it is also employed in several dishes throughout Italy and abroad, and is enjoyed as a topping for pasta and other foods everywhere in the world, Parmesan is notably known in Emilia Romagna as a traditional cheese that can be tasted on its own. As it’s true for many different kinds of dairy products that can be found on a cheese platter, Parmesan can (and should – at least once in one’s life) be eaten as a standalone experience, but not many tourists think about doing this during their trip to Italy.
Foodies are more likely to know about this, but everyone should experience Parmesan in its pure form, and going to visit a dairy where the cheese is produced is the perfect way to sample the goods and marvel at the production process and cutting method employed for this Emilia Romagna treasure.

Here are some dairies in the province of Modena that you can visit for tastings, guided tours of the facility, and to shop Parmesan, local products and souvenirs.

Società Agricola Montorsi, Book your Parmigiano Reggiano Tour with them.

This dairy is located just outside Modena and as such can be easily reached if you’re already visiting the city proper. Founded in 1949, this dairy has perfected the production of Parmigiano cheese and the raw materials are all locally sourced, to achieve Parmesan aged for up to 36 months where the milk employed hasn’t suffered any losses in quality through the supply chain.
The dairy, opened every day from 8:30 to 12:30 and from 15:30 to 19:30 (open only from 8:30 to 9:30 on Sundays for a brief stop to shop for Parmesan and more), offers a variety of guided tours and tastings for locals and tourists (also in English and with audio guides available).
Tourists will be able to choose from breakfast tours, a daily tour (with a visit of the Parmesan dairy factory, a vinegar place and lunch at a local restaurant) or other events such as a workshop weekend where visitors will take part to the production of the cheese and learn more about local culture. Please see antica latteria ducale for info.

Caseificio Rosola, Parmesan Guided visits.

Located near the city of Zocca, in the province of Modena, this dairy factory can be visited throughout the week (it’s closed on Mondays and on Friday afternoons, opening hours are 9:00-12:30 and 16:00-19:00). Since the location varies from other dairies closer to the city of Modena, in here you’ll be able to find products related to the mountain territory. Here you’ll be able to sample and purchase a type of Parmesan made from the milk of a white- coated breed of cow from the territory of Modena.

Caseificio San Pietro

The dairy is located near the city of Sassuolo and you can book guided tours of the entire production line of Parmesan, or experience the single phases of the process such as the preparation of the milk and the cheese, the storing area and learn about the aging process. In the dairy’s shop you’ll be able to sample and purchase Parmigiano cheese. Please see their site.

Caseificio 4 Madonne

Through booking, it’s possible to take part to guided tours every day, and they will last 1-1 and a half hours. depending on the type of tasting experience you choose, which will include sampling Parmesan with different aging periods, local cold cuts, balsamic vinegar, wines and more. You’ll have a chance to explore the history and production process of the cheese through the dairy, and you’ll witness the incredible storage for the Parmesan cheese wheels. More info here.

Caseificio Belvedere

This dairy is located further from Modena, but still retains those aspects of the city’s culture and tradition, with a different spin. Near the towns of Maserno and Montese, the Caseificio Belvedere offers the usual tours and tastings of Parmesan along with other peculiar culinary experiences of the Apennines. In the dairy’s shop, you’ll find local produce, Parmesan cheese and more.