Any foodie who has visited Emilia Romagna is familiar with one of the region’s most prized delicacies — prosciutto — a specialty Italian food product made in both Modena and Parma. But have you heard of Culatello? While many food travelers know prosciutto, less are familiar with this ham that’s even more strictly crafted and dare we say, even more delicious that prosciutto! Shhh, it’ll be our secret!

The very best prosciutto earns the DOP label, or Denominazione d'Origine Protetta, meaning Protected Designation of Origin). This DOP label is the important designation from the European Union Italian government that guarantees a food product is produced, processed, inspected, and packaged in a specific geographical zone according to a rigid set of rules and regulations. But not very many visitors have ever heard of or tasted Culatello di Zibello, sometimes referred to as Culatello di Parma.