Italian Genius
Parmigiano Reggiano cheese is an important and fundamental part of Italian cuisine and culture. This hard cheese has been around for at least 8 centuries and continues to be made in approximately the same manner since– making this no mouldy cheese!
According to the Parmigiano- Reggiano consortium archives, cheese production dates back to the 1200’s and ever since, the same fragrance, texture and taste have been enticing people to eat it! Its unique and individual taste has also earned it a D.O.P. certification that guarantees its exclusive quality based upon regional aspects. Denominazione di Origine Protetta (Denomination of Protected Origin) is the legal and governmental grading of this dairy product, and D.O.P. labels can be assigned to edible products coming produced and coming from only one region.
The agricultural areas of Parma, Emilia, Modena, Mantova (towns all located on the right bank of the Po River) and Bologna (located on the left bank of the Reno River) are the zone tipiche or typical zones that are considered the ideal locations for raising cattle. The cattle bred and raised in these ideal environmental areas are the only bovines used to provide the specific type of milk needed to make Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Numerous regulations and controls are done on the cheeses while they age in order to ensure and guarantee to the consumer the D.O.P. certification.
Read about some fun facts about Parmigiano- Reggiano and its making!
There are 270, 000 cows that produce milk for Parmigiano-Reggiano
In one kilo of Parmigiano-Reggiano there are 16 litres of milk! And in one cheese mould there are 600 litres of milk!
One cheese mould can weigh up to 38 kilos if not more!
And finally, the average number of cheese forms produced in one year is 2.9 million!
To learn more about Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese; how it is produced, fun recipes and more nutritional information visit their website at: www.parmigiano-reggiano.it
Buon Appettito!
Contributing Editors to Artviva: Sarah Bernstein and Rose Magers
www.italy.artviva.com
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