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History of Prosciutto di Parma

Prosciutto di Parma DOP is a type of ham produced in the province of Parma, located in the region of Emilia-Romagna, and whose most important and older production center is located in the village of Langhirano.

The unique conditions of the Parma region have made it possible to produce the highest quality hams, which were created as a kind of food that could be preserved over time without going bad. Treating pork meat with salt was one of the most appetizing solutions. In fact, the earliest encounter of what today we call “prosciutto” can be attributed to the Etruscan period (from the 9th to the first century BC), where meats were doused in salt as a form of preservation as refrigerators were nowhere near being invented.

The distinctive characteristic of Prosciutto di Parma DOP lies in its high protein and vitamin content (in particular, for vitamins B1, B6, B12 and PP); moreover, it’s rich in free amino acids, which give the ham a very high overall digestibility.

Prosciutto di Parma DOP is not only tasty with an incomparable texture, but it is also owner of the European Community certification since 1996 and is proud to be one of the first meat products to be awarded the Designation of Protected Origin status (DPO). All Parma Ham authorized producers must be located within the geographical boundaries of the Parma production area, South of the Emilia way not less than 5 km from it and up to a maximum altitude of 900 metres, bordered, to the East, by the River Enza and, to the West, by the Stirone stream.

Did you know that Prosciutto di Parma DOP has its own festival?

The Parma Ham Festival was launched in 1997, and since then, it has become an unmissable event for celebrating and tasting the King of Hams. There is music and lots of food; the perfect setting to celebrate among the natural and cultural beauties of the Parma and Langhirano areas.

Ham enthusiasts have the chance to enter the production sites and observe the entire production cycle. Here, producers happily share the secrets of the Made in Italy product, that has been passed on for hundreds of years. What are you waiting for?

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