Are you a chef?..
…Or maybe just a person who loves to cook?..
….Then you must familiar with parmesan cheese…
….But how about Italian Parmesan Cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano which are known for its quality of the best parmesan cheese to create a 5 star restaurant type-of-meal?…
….Said less! In this article we will dive more about the best reviewed Italian Parmesan Cheese on the market and their authentic characteristic…
…So, stick around!
But before we continue, let’s hear a story from Talitha!
Here’s from Talitha
Cooking is my passion…
….As a chef, I really look up into perfections and beauty in every meal that I created…
….Especially the beauty in taste…
…For once, I’ve always have the same love for cheese…
….It added the rich taste and elevate my dish…..
….However, it’s extremely hard to find a perfect type-of-cheese that has a unique taste in it…
….But it all change when I decided to buy an Italian Parmesan Cheese or as we called Parmigiano Reggiano…
….The rich flavor and the quality is undeniable….
….It suits to pair with my pasta, salad, or even a wine based type-of-meal….
…..This is truly the best Italian Parmesan Cheese I’ve ever get!
I always have parmigiano-reggiano, olive oil and pasta at home. When people get sick, they want chicken soup; I want spaghetti with parmesan cheese, olive oil and a bit of lemon zest. It makes me feel better every time.
Isabella Rossellini, Author
Now, let’s get back to the topic…
Best Italian Parmesan Cheese Overview
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Parmigiano Reggiano must be made entirely of natural ingredients, according to a centuries-old process, in a geographical area of Italy so precisely defined that Parmigiano Reggiano can only be made in one area of Bologna…
….It’s so good that chefs and nutritionists consider it a near-perfect food, and it’s become a cultural symbol of Italy’s artisanal heritage and superior quality.
Now here’s some facts that made this Parmigiano Reggiano the best cheese:
Authentic Parmigiano Reggiano can only be made in Italy
“Parmigiano” literally means “from Parma” in Italian…
….Parmigiano Reggiano was created by monks in the Middle Ages in the area surrounding Parma, which explains the name…
…Only the provinces of Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, Bologna, and Mantova can produce authentic Parmigiano Reggiano today…
….This small region of Italy has a unique combination of climate, geography, and soil composition, all of which contribute to Parmigiano Reggiano’s distinct flavor.
Generic hard cheeses, on the other hand, can be made anywhere…
…Because some are made in the United States while others are made in Argentina, Russia, Ukraine, and other countries, the terrain can be quite different…
….Other cheeses, on the other hand, are not subject to Parmigiano Reggiano’s stringent regulations, aging requirements, or quality standards.
The Experience Of Italian Parmesan Cheese Can’t Be Matched
Parmigiano Reggiano is aged for a longer period of time than other cheeses, which contributes to its rich flavor and granular texture….
….True Parmigiano Reggiano has a sharp, fruity/nutty flavor, a strong savory flavor, and a slightly gritty texture…
….It has a fragrant, spicy but not piquant aroma that enhances the flavor of other foods when used as an ingredient or provides a delightful sensory experience when paired with certain wines or foods.
Other hard cheeses can have a bitter taste and lack the complexity that makes Parmigiano Reggiano so popular among chefs and cheese lovers around the world.
It Is Made From Natural Ingredients
Parmigiano Reggiano can only be made with three ingredients:
- Only milk from cows fed locally grown forage, grass, and hay can be used to make Parmigiano Reggiano. Hard cheeses made in the United States, on the other hand, are not required by FDA regulations to be made from fresh whole milk. You can also use reconstituted dry milk, skim milk, and/or cream. It is also permissible to bleach the milk.
- Parmigiano Reggiano contains Mediterranean sea salt, which is absorbed by the cheese while it is submerged in brine tanks saturated to near total salinity for 20 days, and is one of the reasons for its savory flavor.
- Rennet is an enzyme that aids in the catalysis of cheese fermentation and is classified as an animal product. It has been discovered that unregulated cheeses, such as Parmigiano Reggiano, contain additives such as cellulose.
Known For Its Rich Healthy Nutrients
Parmigiano Reggiano is an excellent source of calcium, amino acids, protein, and vitamins due to its simple and natural ingredients and unique aging process.
Parmigiano-Reggiano has 9 grams of protein (2 grams more than beef) and 321 milligrams of calcium per ounce (nearly 10 times more than milk)…
….It contains 12 milligrams of magnesium (more than salmon), 28 milligrams of potassium (roughly a third of a banana), and 0.12 milligrams of vitamin A (about the same as raw carrots)…
….Parmigiano Reggiano is also high in zinc, iron, copper, manganese, biotin, and vitamin B6, making it a nutritional powerhouse.
Keep reading…
Best Way To Serve Italian Parmesan Cheese
Grating on salad or soup is just as great as grating onto pasta
Consider broadening your Parmigiano Reggiano horizons if you’re going to grate…
…This cheese can be sprinkled on a variety of foods! It’s delicious grated over a green salad, and it’s incredibly simple to make…
…There’s something about the way Parmigiano Reggiano absorbs the oil, vinegar, and black pepper from the lettuce leaves…
…It’s especially good in vegetable or bean soups…
….The cheese thickens the soup slightly, and its fantastic “meaty” umami flavor rounds out the flavor…
…Then there are rice-based dishes like polenta, wheat berries, and porridge.
Martelli maccheroni or Rustichella fettuccine, cooked al dente, drained, and tossed with a plethora of freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano…
…a healthy dose of just ground, really high-quality black pepper, and a great olive oil, is one of go to meal with this Italian Parmesan Cheese…
….If you want to dress it up, add a spoonful of fresh ricotta on top!..
…It’s a fantastic way to feel better after a long day—a world-class meal that takes less than 20 minutes to prepare.
It’s incredible with honey
In the world of food, there are so many great combinations like peanut butter and jelly, corned beef and rye, hot dogs with mustard, bagels and cream cheese, the list goes on and on…
…While it isn’t as well-known as the others I just mentioned, this Parmigiano Reggiano and honey pairing is just as delicious…
…If you like good cheese and good food, and you like a little sweet with your savory (or maybe it’s a little sweet with your savory), you’re going to love this combination!…
…It’s delicious with Parmigiano Reggiano and a great varietal honey!
Perfectly match with sparkling wine
Sparkling wine is a great thing to have on hand all of the time, so come up with creative ways to make this work…
….Because Parmigiano Reggiano has such an old-school Italian personality, it would be foolish not to pair it with an Italian sparkling wine…
….A not-too-dry sparkling wine can help balance the salt, refresh the palate, and bring out the milk’s underlying richness.
Here’s the main things to follow…
Important Guides Of Italian Parmesan Cheese
How to cut an Italian Parmesan Cheese
Draw a line dividing the wheel in half along the diameter of the two flat faces down to the sides with the tip of the almond-shaped knife.
The rind is cut by pushing the knife down a few centimetres along the line, with two almond-shaped knives inserted through the sides at the two ends of the diameter…
….These knives act as wedges, causing the Parmigiano Reggiano wheel to split in half due to the strength they develop.
How to store a Parmigiano Reggiano
When you buy a freshly cut piece of Parmigiano Reggiano or remove it from the vacuum-pack, keep it in the refrigerator between 4 and 8°C…
….When Parmigiano Reggiano is stored, its organoleptic characteristics remain unchanged.
It is therefore recommended to keep it in glass or plastic containers at an optimal humidity level and away from other foods (the fatty part of cheese tends to absorb other odors present in the refrigerator).
Wrapping Parmigiano Reggiano in food-grade plastic film is another practical solution.
This allows Parmigiano Reggiano to be stored for a long time while ensuring that its quality does not deteriorate.
It is never a good idea to freeze cheese.
To Sum Up
Parmigiano Reggiano or an Italian Parmesan Cheese is a good type of cheese that could enrich your dish and elevate your appetizer in food…
…The quality is undeniably good and it’s certainly rich of nutrients which is very good for our health.
At last…
Conclusion
In conclusion, to find the right Parmigiano Reggiano, you need to consider the originality plus the authentic taste of it…
…It’s also important to put attention into the best way to store and serve the Parmigiano Reggiano so the taste wouldn’t change.
Related post:
Was this helpful?
Hi there! I’m a food enthusiast and journalist, and I have a real passion for food that goes beyond the kitchen. I love my dream job and I’m lucky enough to be able to share my knowledge with readers of several large media outlets. My specialty is writing engaging food-related content, and I take pride in being able to connect with my audience. I’m known for my creativity in the kitchen, and I’m confident that I can be the perfect guide for anyone looking to take their culinary journey to the next level.
