Frederic Melton
Parmesan, or Parmigiano-Reggiano, is a hard Italian cheese with a strong, nutty flavor and a granular texture. It is produced in specific regions of Italy, including Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, Bologna, and Mantua, using traditional methods that have been passed down for hundreds of years. With its unique flavor and versatility, Parmesan cheese is a popular ingredient in various dishes, from pasta to salads. However, finding grated Parmesan cheese in the grocery store can sometimes be a frustrating experience, as it is often not stocked in the cheese or pasta sections.
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What You'll Learn
Grated Parmesan is not always in the cheese section
Grated Parmesan cheese can be notoriously difficult to find in the grocery store. It is often not found in the cheese section, nor is it ever kept in the pasta section. This can be frustrating for customers who are looking for it.
The reason for this unusual placement may be that grated Parmesan is considered a "tweener" in the food stocking industry. This means that it does not have a designated place and can be put in various sections of the store. This flexibility in placement may be advantageous for stockers, but it can certainly confuse customers who are trying to locate the product.
Adding to the frustration, there does not seem to be a logical pattern to where grated Parmesan is placed. It could be anywhere from the greeting card section to the beverage aisle, or even among automotive supplies. This can lead to a frustrating Easter egg hunt for customers who are simply trying to find this one item.
To make matters worse, the product's shelf life and lack of refrigeration requirements due to its high levels of potassium sorbate further confuse the issue. This means that grated Parmesan does not need to be placed with other refrigerated cheeses, which could be a logical place for customers to look.
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Parmesan is often found in the pasta aisle
Parmesan cheese is a versatile and delicious ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. One of its most popular uses is as a topping for pasta. In fact, it is so commonly used in pasta dishes that you will often find it in the pasta aisle of your local grocery store.
While it may seem unusual to find a dairy product in the dry goods section, there is a good reason for this. Grated Parmesan cheese has a very long shelf life and does not require refrigeration. This is due to the large amounts of potassium sorbate used as a preservative. This makes it a convenient product to stock in the pasta aisle, as customers can grab it off the shelf along with their pasta and sauce, without having to make a separate trip to the refrigerated section.
Of course, not all Parmesan cheese is located in the pasta aisle. You will also find it in the cheese section, usually in the form of a solid block or wedge. This type of Parmesan is typically refrigerated, especially once it has been opened, to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage.
Additionally, some stores may stock Parmesan in other locations, such as the international aisle or specialty food section, depending on the specific variety and packaging. For example, Parmigiano-Reggiano, the traditional Italian variety, may be found in a different section than domestically produced imitations.
So, the next time you're searching for Parmesan cheese, remember to check the pasta aisle, the cheese section, and possibly a few other locations, depending on the specific type you're looking for.
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Parmesan is sometimes stocked with pasta sauces
Parmesan cheese is often grated and sprinkled on pasta dishes, salads, and other Italian and Mediterranean dishes. It is a key ingredient in dishes like spaghetti carbonara and risotto. Parmesan is also used in pasta sauces, such as garlic parmesan sauce, which can be used to dress up pasta or add a garlicky twist to homemade pizza. The sauce is made with butter, heavy cream, garlic, flour, herbs, Parmesan cheese, and salt and pepper. It is versatile and can be used as a dipping sauce or spread, in addition to being a pasta sauce.
When adding Parmesan to pasta sauces, it is important to note that adding it while cooking will incorporate it into the sauce and make it creamier, but the Parmesan flavor will be subtle. On the other hand, using it as a topping will create a melted cheese coating, and the Parmesan flavor will be more pronounced. Some people add Parmesan rinds to their pasta sauces to extract the cheese flavor and create a depth of flavor. However, others find that adding Parmesan while cooking can make it rubbery and tasteless, so it is generally recommended to add it to the cooked pasta for just a minute or so before serving.
The maturation time of Parmesan cheese, which can range from 12 to over 40 months, determines its final texture and flavor. Younger Parmesan cheese will melt better when added to pasta sauces. Additionally, it is recommended to shred the cheese yourself, as it will taste and melt better in the sauce.
Overall, Parmesan is a versatile cheese that can be used in various dishes, including pasta sauces, and its usage will depend on the desired flavor and texture of the dish.
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Parmesan is a certified name, not a brand name
Parmesan cheese, or Parmigiano-Reggiano, is one of the world's most popular cheeses. It is a hard, granular Italian cheese produced from cow's milk and aged for at least 12 months. Parmigiano-Reggiano is a specific cheese from Italy, made in designated regions, while Parmesan refers to similar hard cheeses made outside these regions, often following similar methods but without following the same regulations.
The strict regulations surrounding the name Parmesan aim to protect the integrity and quality of the cheese. Parmigiano-Reggiano is produced in specific regions of Italy, including Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, Bologna, and Mantua, and must follow traditional methods. Each wheel of Parmigiano-Reggiano must meet strict criteria early in the aging process to merit the official seal and be placed in storage for aging. The cheese is also subject to individual inspections for quality, with a certified expert visiting each wheel and tapping it with a rubber acoustic hammer to listen for structural defects. This rigorous quality control ensures that only the highest-quality Parmigiano-Reggiano bears the official seal and name.
Outside of the European Union, the name Parmesan is legally used for imitations, and the term has become genericised in many areas. In the United States, for example, the Food and Drug Administration states that any cheese with similar physical and chemical properties may be labelled as Parmesan, regardless of its manufacturing location. This has led to widespread imitation of Parmigiano-Reggiano, with numerous cheeses marketed under names intended to evoke the original, such as Parmesan, Parmigiana, Parmesana, and Parmabon. However, these imitations often fail to replicate the unique flavour and texture of authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano, which is considered the gold standard among cheese aficionados.
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Parmesan is a PDO-protected product
Parmesan cheese, or Parmigiano-Reggiano, is a hard Italian cheese with a strong, nutty flavor and granular texture. It is produced from cow's milk and aged for at least 12 months, with the total maturation time influencing the final texture and flavor of the cheese. Parmesan is a labor-intensive product, with each step of the production process requiring time, skill, and precision.
The name Parmigiano-Reggiano is protected under Italian and European law, and only cheeses manufactured in these specific regions following traditional methods can be sold under the denomination "Parmesan" or "Parmigiano-Reggiano". The PDO system was created by the European Union in 1992 to offer wider protection for specialty foodstuffs throughout member countries, and Parmigiano-Reggiano has been registered as a PDO since 1996.
The Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese Consortium, or Consorzio del Formaggio Parmigiano Reggiano, was founded in 1928 and is responsible for setting and enforcing the standards for the PDO, as well as sponsoring marketing activities. To bear the designation "Parmigiano Reggiano PDO", the cheese must be produced in its area of origin, respecting strict rules and traditional methods. This protection ensures that consumers receive an authentic product and promotes fair competition.
While Parmigiano-Reggiano is PDO-protected, the term Parmesan is often used outside of the European Union and Lisbon Agreement countries to refer to locally produced imitations. These imitation Parmesan cheeses may use pasteurized cow's milk or a mixture of different types of milk, resulting in variations in flavor and texture compared to traditional Parmigiano-Reggiano.
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Frequently asked questions
Grated Parmesan cheese is usually found in the cheese section. However, it can be located in different sections depending on the store and the type of Parmesan. It may be in the Italian food or condiments section, or in the deli.
Shredded Parmesan cheese can usually be found in the cheese section. However, it can also be found in other sections of the store, such as aisle 39 in Walmart.
Parmesan cheese wedges are often found in the cheese section. However, they can also be found in other sections of the store, such as aisle 42 in Walmart.
Parmesan cheese is carried by most major grocery chains, including Walmart, Meijer, Publix, Kroger, Safeway, Whole Foods, and Target.
Parmesan cheese is rarely sold refrigerated. Look for it on a nearby non-refrigerated shelf, possibly located near the spaghetti noodles or other cheeses offered by the grocery store.
