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Guided Tour at the Cheese and Ham Factory in Parma

5 (13)
Parma, IT
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Guided Tour at the Cheese and Ham Factory in Parma

5 (13)
Parma, IT
Share
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Experience the best of Italian gastronomy with a guided tour at the Cheese and Ham Factory in Parma. Immerse yourself in the traditional processes of producing Parmigiano Reggiano and Parma Ham. Begin your journey in the cheese factory, witnessing the cooking of milk in the cistern and the extraction of wheels of Parmigiano Reggiano. Explore the brine room and maturing warehouse, and even try your hand at "beating" Parmigiano Reggiano like the experts. Afterward, indulge in a tasting of Parmigiano Reggiano of different ages paired with balsamic vinegar and sparkling wine. Then, visit the Prosciuttificio, where the finest legs of pork are chosen for the production of Parma Ham. Discover the layer softening process and witness the "tapping" of hams to evaluate their quality and aromas. Conclude your tour with a taste of 24-month-aged ham, accompanied by homemade bread and wine. Book this tour now and delight in the flavors of Parma!

About this experience

  • Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
  • 5 hours
  • Suitable for 2-10 Participants
  • Small Group Tour
  • Guided Experience
  • Traditional production of Parmigiano Reggiano
  • Sampling different ages of Parmigiano Reggiano
  • Witnessing the process of making Parma ham
  • Tasting 24 months aged Parma ham
  • Convenient drop-off at station or historic center
  • Round-trip transfer from Parma train station to the cheese factory and ham factory
  • Tasting of Parmigiano Reggiano, Parma Ham and wine
  • Guided tour to the cheese and ham factory
  • Transfer to the meeting point

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More about this experience

Introduction

Experience the rich culinary traditions of Italy with a guided tour at the Cheese and Ham Factory in Parma. Discover the intricate processes behind the production of two of Italy's most renowned gastronomic delights - Parmigiano Reggiano and Parma Ham. Immerse yourself in the captivating world of cheese-making and delve into the secrets of cured ham. This tour offers a unique opportunity to witness the age-old techniques used in these artisanal practices and indulge in the flavors of the region.

What to expect?

During this tour, you can anticipate a comprehensive experience that takes you into the heart of the cheese and ham production. The excursion lasts approximately 300 minutes, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the captivating world of Italian gastronomy. At the cheese factory, witness the process of transforming milk into the renowned Parmigiano Reggiano. Discover the brine room and the maturing warehouse, where you can try to "beat" Parmigiano Reggiano just like the experts of the Consortium do. Indulge in tastings of Parmigiano Reggiano with accompanying balsamic vinegar and local sparkling wine. Next, venture to the ham factory, where Parma Ham is carefully crafted. Explore the rooms where fresh pork meat is processed and learn about the meticulous selection process for the best legs. Witness the softening process in the maturing cellars and unlock the aromas of the Parma hams. Savor the exquisite flavors of 24-month aged ham paired with homemade bread and wine from the hills. Conclude the tour with a drop-off at the station or in the historic center of Parma.

Who is this for?

This guided tour at the Cheese and Ham Factory in Parma is crafted for food enthusiasts, culinary explorers, and anyone with an interest in Italian gastronomy. Whether you're a cheese connoisseur, a ham aficionado, or simply someone who appreciates the artistry behind traditional food production, this experience is perfect for you. Embrace the opportunity to witness the craftsmanship and dedication that goes into creating these culinary delights. The tour is suitable for individuals, couples, and even small groups looking to deepen their understanding and appreciation of Italian cuisine.

Why book this?

Embark on this delightful journey to the Cheese and Ham Factory in Parma for an unforgettable experience that tantalizes your taste buds and expands your knowledge of traditional Italian food production. Witness the meticulous processes involved in creating Parmigiano Reggiano and Parma Ham, allowing you to gain a deeper appreciation for these esteemed gastronomic treasures. Indulge in delectable tastings of both cheese and ham, accompanied by local sparkling wine and bread. The immersive nature of this tour ensures an engaging and educational experience that will leave you with lasting memories and a newfound admiration for Italian culinary traditions.

Good to know

It is important to note that the total duration of the tour is approximately 300 minutes, allowing ample time to explore both the cheese and ham factories. The meeting point is in front of NH hotel on viale Paolo Borsellino 31. The tour includes visits to the brine room and maturing warehouse of the cheese factory, as well as the processing rooms and maturing cellars of the ham factory. Tastings of different ages of Parmigiano Reggiano, accompanied by balsamic vinegar and local sparkling wine, are included at the cheese factory. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to savor 24-month aged Parma Ham with homemade bread and wine from the hills at the ham factory. The tour concludes with a drop-off either at the station or in the historic center of Parma.

Reviews

Feedback from individuals who have embarked on this tour demonstrates high levels of satisfaction and appreciation for the experience. Travelers praise the informative and engaging nature of the guided tour, allowing them to truly understand the craftsmanship and dedication behind Parmigiano Reggiano and Parma Ham. The tastings are often described as both delicious and educational, providing a well-rounded experience. Many reviewers mention that this tour enhanced their understanding and admiration for Italian cuisine, and they highly recommend it to fellow food enthusiasts and travelers seeking an authentic culinary experience in Parma.

How long before the event do I need to book?

  • You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

  • Mobile

Is an adult required for the booking?

  • At least one adult or senior required per booking

Your Itinerary

Parma

The tour begins in the cheese factory, where the milk is cooked in the so-called cistern from which the wheels of Parmigiano Reggiano are then extracted. You will be able to visit the brine room and the maturing warehouse where it will be possible to try to "beat" Parmigiano Reggiano as the experts of the Consortium do. At the end of the gastronomic tour taste Parmigiano Reggiano of different ages accompanied by balsamic vinegar and local sparkling wine.

Parma

Reach the Prosciuttificio (ham factory), where Parma ham is made. The visit starts from the rooms where the fresh pork meat is processed and where only the best legs are selected for Parma ham. The tour continues in the maturing cellars where the layer softening process is explained and where the Parma hams are "tapped" in the presence of visitors to discover their aromas and evaluate their quality. Taste the 24 months aged ham with homemade bread, wine from the hills and then return to the city with a drop-off at the station or in the historic center.

Reviews

(13)

5 (13)

Zoe_J

Absolutely fantastic experience. They were able to accommodate my family (9 total) on our preferred date after a bit of communication. Great guide & nice drivers. Worth the money.

Monica_B

What a great day we had visiting both areas leading so much about production and quality. The samples were absolutely fabulous as well. So happy we were able to purchase directly so we could bring some of the delicious products home.

Vincent_S

Amazing experience would definitely recommended to friends and family. The guide did an amazing job as well.

Sviatlana_C

Well organized tour. Good guides. Great cheese and prosciutto facilities. Great tasting portions (cheese with balsamic and wine; prosciutto with balsamic, water and wine).

Victoria_W

Fantastic tour! Great guide with a contiguous passion for these tasty treats! A real one in a lifetime opportunity.

Porvunr

Our tour was very good-professionally organised-drivers punctual - with an exceptional guide speaking English. We learned so much about the making of Parmagiano Reggiano cheese and Palma ham. Generous samples of each product to try along with wines. All in all a 10 out of 10 tour for us. Catherine & Steve Western Australia

Brian_A

To start, our guide, Loris, was fantastic - knowledgeable, a good driver, courteous, attentive to our questions and needs, and full of wonderful facts and stories that made the experience so rich. First, we visited a small Parmigiano Reggiano producer, where we got to see the most exciting steps in making this legendary cheese, followed by a very generous tasting. Then, we drove to a Prosciutto di Parma producer, soaking in the lovely countryside on the way, and learned more than we thought to even ask about how this delicacy is produced. The amazing smells alone, as you walk into aging cellars and refrigerated rooms holding the cheese and ham are unforgettable. We finished with a ridiculously generous sampling of Prosciutto, with fresh bread and local Lambrusco wine at a nearby restaurant. Not to be overlooked, the tour operator's use of wireless mics and remote headphones ensured that we could wander around and watch what the tour guide was talking about as it happened, as opposed to having to crowd around just to hear him, watching him instead of the action. I cannot recommend this tour highly enough. It was one of the brightest highlights of a one-week trip.

Alain_P

We were guided perfectly trough both factories, and were given very precise informations. The tour guide was the best I ever had! Very friendly passionate and funny, we had an amazing experience.

Lajla_R

Sergio is the best guide! Interesting visits to family run parmigiano reggiano and prosciutto di parma ham.

YoungSasky

We had a blast on this tour. The pickup was a little late to leave, but everything else went off smoothly. The cheese tour was great, with the guide explaining a lot of the science behind the manufacturing process. The free samples of cheese and wine were great too. The Parma ham facility tour is quicker than the cheese tour, but just as good. Excellent tour, great guide, and I would recommend this to others.
Collected by Evendo, Tripadvisor & Viator
2024-04-27 00:14