Why Parmigiano Reggiano Outshines Grocery Store Parmesan
Have you ever tasted Parmigiano Reggiano, the real deal from Italy? It’s miles apart from those knock-off “parmesans” you find elsewhere. But what makes it stand out? It’s meticulously crafted using the same methods since its origin centuries ago, meeting strict standards for the DOP seal of approval.
Below, we’ll see exactly why Parmigiano Reggiano is considered “The King of Cheeses.” Sneak peek: It’s the artisanal care and aging process. This cheese is a labor of love, aged to perfection to develop its nutty, complex flavors and crumbly texture, which can’t be rushed. Its production, strictly limited to certain Italian regions, ensures a quality and taste profile that supermarket versions just can’t match.
The Origins of Parmigiano Reggiano
The story of Parmigiano Reggiano begins in Italy, with a tradition dating back as far as the Middle Ages. Originating from the regions of Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, and parts of Mantua and Bologna, this cheese is a product of its environment, from the local grass-fed cows to the specific microclimate that influences its flavor.
Though its location of production is important, the methods used to make this cheese have been refined over centuries. DOP (Denominazione di Origine Protetta) status protects this historical and geographical significance, ensuring that only cheese produced in this traditional way within these regions can be called Parmigiano Reggiano. The DOP puts each barrel of parmigiano reggiano through vigorous tests including sound, smell, and taste to ensure it is made to fit the high-standards of a true Parmigiano Reggiano.
How True Parmigiano Reggiano is Made
Real Parmigiano cheese begins with milk from local cows, mixed from morning and evening milking. This blend is then combined with calf rennet, enzymes extracted from the animal’s stomach, and a natural whey starter, initiating the curdling process. The curds are broken down, cooked, and pressed into wheels. These wheels are soaked in brine to absorb salt for flavor and preservation.
The wheels are aged for a minimum of 12 months, often much longer, in specific conditions that enhance their complex flavors and textures. Each cheese is turned and cleaned regularly throughout this period, ensuring a well-rounded and consistent flavoring in each wheel. This traditional method has remained unchanged for centuries. After all, if it’s not broken, why fix it?
Ensuring Parmigiano Reggiano’s Authenticity
Parmigiano Reggiano is consistently rated one of the most delicious cheeses on the market. But how can you be sure you’re purchasing the best of the best? The DOP seal on Parmigiano Reggiano cheese is like a guarantee stamp, ensuring the cheese comes from its traditional region in Italy and is made following strict guidelines that have been in place for centuries.
This includes everything from the specific area it’s produced in, to the traditional methods used in its creation, and the natural aging process. The DOP label tells you that what you’re getting is the perfect mix of a nutty, rich flavor made in an authentic fashion.
Grocery Store Imitation Parmesan Cheese
When you grab a container of “Parmesan” off the grocery store shelf, you’re purchasing a low-quality imitation of the classic Parmigiano Reggiano. Though easy on the wallet and readily available, these imitations are often made with a blend of milk types, additives to extend shelf life, and processes designed to speed up aging. This not only impacts the cheese’s flavor profile but also adds unnatural additives to your diet.
The texture can range from overly hard to rubbery, and the flavor, while cheesy, lacks the depth of its Italian counterpart. Such cheeses might work in a pinch for a quick pasta sprinkle. However, you miss out on the rich, complex flavors that come with authentic Parmigiano Reggiano and its natural production process. When you purchase grated parmesan cheese from the grocery store, you lose the quality, taste, and ingredients that you expect with Parmigiano cheese.
Elevating Dishes with Authentic Parmigiano Reggiano
Parmigiano Reggiano is a game-changer in the kitchen. Beyond its iconic role atop pasta, its crumbly texture and deep, nutty flavor bring a touch of luxury to everyday cooking. Whether integrated into a recipe or used as a finishing, it infuses dishes with a richness that’s hard to match. Some of the best ways to use this staple in your meals include:
Finishing Touch for Pasta
A sprinkle of Parmigiano Reggiano over pasta is absolutely transformative. Rather than melting, it blends in with the warmth of the dish to release aromatic oils that enrich your sauce. Just by adding a touch of this cheese, you can elevate a simple spaghetti to restaurant-quality flavor and complexity.
Main Courses
Parmigiano Reggiano can create a flavorful crust on proteins, sealing in moisture and adding a crispy edge. This technique introduces a different texture to your dish while adding a burst of flavor to familiar dishes.
Salads and Sides
The cheese’s bold and memorable flavor profile makes it an excellent addition to salads, where its saltiness can balance sweeter dressings or ingredients. When roasted vegetables are paired with its savory bite, the result is a blend of earthy and umami notes that enhance the produce’s natural flavors.
Soups and Risotto
Stirring this cheese into soups or risotto thickens them slightly and adds a creamy complexity. As it melts, Parmigiano Reggiano distributes its rich flavor throughout the dish, improving the taste profile with its aged notes.
Invest in Authentic Parmigiano Reggiano
The next time you go to the grocery store, instead of reaching for that bottle of grated parmesan cheese, remember how much more delicious it would be to put that money toward a block of genuine Parmigiano cheese instead. Made with traditional methods, you can add this cheese to almost every meal you can think of to elevate the dish’s flavor.
Whether it’s the final flourish on a plate of pasta or the secret ingredient in your risotto, authentic Parmigiano Reggiano guarantees a taste of Italy’s finest. It reminds us that sometimes, the key to extraordinary cooking lies in the simplicity and quality of the ingredients.
