When we talk about DOP cheese from Emilia Romagna, we immediately think about
Parmigiano Reggiano as it is the most prominent Italian cheese. It is a true reflection of its place of origin and the art of generations and generations of cheese artisans. Parmigiano Reggiano cheese is produced exclusively in the provinces of Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena and parts of the provinces of Mantua and Bologna, on the plains, hills, and mountains enclosed between the rivers Po and Reno.
Parmigiano-Reggiano is a hard, dry cheese made from skimmed or partially skimmed cow’s milk. It has a hard pale-golden rind and a straw-coloured interior with a rich, intense flavour. These cheeses are aged at least two years.
Parmigiano-Reggiano has been called the “King of Cheeses” and Italians don’t just throw this phrase on any old cheese. There is a criterion that must be followed in the production of this cheese. Their complex flavour and extremely coarse texture are a result of the long ageing.
There are just three ingredients in this cheese —milk, salt and rennet—and eight centuries of cheesemaking years of experience go into every wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano. From the local grasses and forage fed to the cows, to the milk they produce and then the cheese is produced by nearly 400 cheesemakers.
How To Store This Precious Cheese?
Long shelf life
Parmigiano Reggiano is among the best cheeses for lengthy preservation, which can be credited to its texture and low water content. It’s no surprise, Parmigiano Reggiano has been popular since ancient times and well beyond.
Vacuum-packed
Cut cheese wedges may be displayed at ambient temperature in a retail environment for short periods of time. Make sure to refrigerate it after the purchase to maintain the best flavour profile and longest life. Store it in the refrigerator between 4 and 8°C. The pack must be sealed so no air can enter.
It's All In The Packaging
Parmigiano Reggiano should be preserved in glass or plastic containers, or wrapped in food-grade plastic film. In this way, it can be stored for a limited period of time, while checking its preservation conditions. It’s advisable to wrap Parmigiano Reggiano in cheese paper. Cheese paper has an outer layer made of wax and an inner layer, that touches the cheese, made of a light plastic wrap. Cheese paper is designed to provide the perfect environment in which to store cheese. Waxed paper, foil and plastic wraps are also acceptable, and more commonly available, means of storing most types of cheeses.
Brrr
Parmigiano Reggiano should never be frozen. But you can freeze grated Parmigiano Reggiano.
Freshly Cut or Opened
After purchasing a freshly cut Parmigiano Reggiano, it should be stored in the refrigerator at a temperature between 39 and 46°F. Make sure that the pack is sealed and no air can enter.
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Source(s): sassytownhouseliving, thespruceeats, reggitup, williams-sonoma