Parmigiano Reggiano very bello (Parmesan (Parmigiano Reggiano))

Member Name: REALTRAVELLER

Product:	Parmesan (Parmigiano Reggiano)
Date:	01/11/09 (32 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great cheese

Disadvantages: None

Parmigiano Reggiano is one of my favourite cheeses. It is an Italian cheese, and the real Parmegiano Reggiano is only the one produced in a specific area of Italy, within the provinces of Bologna, Parma and Reggio Emilia.

Although you can find Parmigiano, or Parmesan, produced as far as Argentina, the original Parmigiano Reggiano comes in huge round forms of cheese, weigthing around 40 kilos each, and it has a unique taste which cannot be replicated out to Italy because it comes from the fat lands around the river Po in Italy, which are supposed to produce a very rich grass for cows.

In Italy only the Consorzio Parmigiano Reggiano can produce this cheese. This is a private association, but was set up by the Italian Government to protect the trademark of the name of the cheese. Those who are part of this Consorzio (which is like a cooperative) committ themselves to certain standards in the production of this cheese.

This cheese is hard, granular and rich in calcium and very easy to digest. Because of its high content of proteins and calcium, it is equally recommended to your and senior people, as much as people who practise sport.

It can be eaten on its own or it can be grated over pasta. A good restaurant in Italy will offer you Parmigiano Reggiano on your pasta, and the waiter will grate it for you fresh if you accept. Unfortunately this practise is disappearing though and more and more restaurant, including supposedly good ones, have a glass box with already grated Parmesan for you on the table.


I used to go to Italy more regularly and bring Parmigiano Reggiano back to UK. These days I buy it at Sainsbury's (you can also find it at Tesco, but I prefer the one at Sainsbury's)

I like to eat it with bread and sun dried tomatoes, and off course, to grate it on pasta.

Of all the cheeses, it is surely if not my favourite amongst my favourites.

Summary: Recommended