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FOOD
Hamming it up!
Some food products get a good reputation for a
reason. Being 100% natural with no nitrates, nitrites,
or other additives, Parma Ham can be said to be a
healthy choice for a balanced diet.
There is so many top tips for
food, health and general
wellness that it can be a
challenge to understand
which food choices are best for
you. Parma Ham is a product with
Protected Designation of Origin
(PDO) status, that can contribute to a
balanced diet without compromising
on flavour.
Unlike many other pork-based
products, Parma Ham is 100%
natural, is aged over time with only
two ingredients: Italian pork and
sea salt. Over the last few years, the
Parma Ham Consortium has used
technological innovations to reduce
the amount of salt in the production
process by 15%, and as a cured
product, it remains free of additives,
preservatives, nitrates, or nitrites.
Only the use of natural sea salt
adds to its unique texture, flavour,
and aroma.
Parma Ham has a sweet and
light flavour is credited to the small
amount of unsaturated fat as a
result of the stringent regulations
surrounding Parma Ham production,
including the strict use of pork
breeds that have been born and
raised in Italy with monitored feed
and all-natural production methods.
Parma Ham's high nutritional
value makes it an excellent choice for
those from all walks of life, including
children, athletes, the elderly,
and those who find it difficult to
digest proteins.
Healthy fats
Healthy fats aid in the digestion
of vitamins, but also contains a
high number of essential vitamins,
including B1, B6, B12, and PP.
Prosciutto di Parma contains a good
amount of minerals, including zinc,
copper, iron, and selenium, the latter
of which is an essential antioxidant to
protect the immune system.
Parma Ham is primarily a protein,
which is vital in building muscle,
aiding growth in children, and
strengthening the elderly. More than
20% of the total amount of protein
in Parma Ham consists of free amino
acids, making it a highly digestible
cured ham.
The drying process that Parma
Ham goes through creates a ham that
is very low in fat content, with many
mineral salts, vitamins, antioxidants,
and easily digestible proteins.
Parma Ham pairs with other
ingredients to make a snack or
starter. Try Parma Ham and melon,
a classic Italian pairing, the contrast
from the sweetness of the melon
and the salty flavours of Parma Ham
creates a unique flavour making for a
delicious pairing. Or try Parma Ham
and figs, an easy to prepare snack,
enhanced when paired with balsamic
vinegar or blue cheese. The ideal
snack or canape, a perfect pairing
of salty ingredients, try Parma Ham
with some classic Italian cheeses
such as Parmigiano Reggiano,
Gorgonzola, or Mozzarella.
Unique taste
Parma Ham's unique taste is
dependent on the traditional
production process passed down
over the centuries, which is carefully
quality checked by an independent
certification body to ensure every
leg of ham is of the highest quality.
At the end of the ageing period,
each leg of ham is individually
quality-checked by an independent
inspector, who inserts a horse bone
into five different points of the
ham and smells it to ensure it is
appropriately matured.
It is only hams that have passed
these checks that can be awarded
the fire-branded stamp of the Ducal
crown - a five-pointed coronet
logo with PARMA in the centre. The
Ducal Crown is now a certification
trademark, which is also present on
pre-sliced packs of Parma Ham.
www.prosciuttodiparma.com