What is an Italian product that is still made the same way today as it has been made since Medieval times? What do Italians give to very young babies because it is good for you and easy to digest?
Cheese. A certain type of cheese.
Parmigiano-Reggiano.
The original Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese is the one made in the center of the country. It is made in province of Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, Mantua (on the right side of the river Po), and Bologna (on the left side of the river Reno). Of course there are many imitations. The real stuff, however, is from this area of the country. Producers have to follow strict legal requirements for their cheese to obtain the official "Parmigiano Reggiano" seal of approval. You may buy something called Grano Padano, which is similar, but it is not parmigiano. To make parmigiano cheese strick rules and regulations must be followed.
The milk that goes into parmigiano has to come exclusively from hay-fed cows that are milked twice a day. Then each wheel needs to ripen for at least a year. Parmigiano wheels are usually stored in special warehouses aging in stacks. Each wheel weighs in at least 66 pounds! A big machine moves between the stacks, brushing and turning each wheel once a week. The room is heated in the winter and cooled in the summer.
Cheese. A certain type of cheese.
Parmigiano-Reggiano.
The original Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese is the one made in the center of the country. It is made in province of Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, Mantua (on the right side of the river Po), and Bologna (on the left side of the river Reno). Of course there are many imitations. The real stuff, however, is from this area of the country. Producers have to follow strict legal requirements for their cheese to obtain the official "Parmigiano Reggiano" seal of approval. You may buy something called Grano Padano, which is similar, but it is not parmigiano. To make parmigiano cheese strick rules and regulations must be followed.
The milk that goes into parmigiano has to come exclusively from hay-fed cows that are milked twice a day. Then each wheel needs to ripen for at least a year. Parmigiano wheels are usually stored in special warehouses aging in stacks. Each wheel weighs in at least 66 pounds! A big machine moves between the stacks, brushing and turning each wheel once a week. The room is heated in the winter and cooled in the summer.
Parmigiano cheese can be found easily abroad because over 20% is exported, mostly in France, Germany, Britain and the U.S.
So search it out and enjoy!
- Posted by Elizabeth
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