Parmesan is a widely recognized Italian cheese. It is very hard and has a strong aroma. It is made from cow's milk that is subjected to the influence of rennet and high temperatures. A truly authentic Italian Parmesan is distinguished by its characteristic cheese aroma, and adding it to appropriate dishes enhances their flavor and nutritional value. In stores, you can find products labeled with the name of this cheese that have nothing in common with the highly valued Italian cheese. Continue reading to learn how to identify and purchase authentic high-quality cheese. Discover the history of this cheese, its origin, and its nutrients and health benefits.
"Parmesan" - a tale of origin
The name of the cheese Parmesan originates from the place where its production began - the Italian region of Parma. The practice of naming foods associated with their place of origin began shortly after the fall of the Roman Empire. This was a convenient method of describing food products informing about the main place of their production. The inventors of Parmesan were medieval monks who engaged in farming animals and fed themselves on what they had prepared on their own. At that time, the cheese existed under the name Caseum paramensis. The recipe for Parmesan cheese has existed for over 800 years. Today, it is known by the full name Consorzio del Formaggio Parmigiano-Reggiano, whose abbreviation is simply Parmesan. To this day, the term "Parmigiano-Reggiano" is exclusively branded on authentic blocks of Parmesan cheese.
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