**What’s This on My Salami? (I Know It’s Not Mold… I Think!)

A Traveler’s Guide to the Mysterious White Stuff on Cured Meats**

If you’ve ever wandered into a Parisian charcuterie shop, your eyes probably widened at the sight of rustic salamis hanging like edible ornaments—dusty, wrinkled, and covered in… something white. For many travelers, this “something” becomes an instant appetite killer. Is it mold? Is it safe? Why is everyone else eating it like it’s no big deal?

Good news: that mysterious coating is usually not only normal but also a hallmark of traditional dry-cured salami. Let’s break down what it might be—and why you don’t need to panic.