Hard-Hitting Facts About Parmesan Cheese

Parmesan cheese is one of those cheeses that’s reached legendary status in the culinary world, and that’s not without good reason!

It’s possibly one of the most divine hard cheeses out there, and a little bit can go such a long way in making food delicious.

We hope you’re ready to read up on all things cheesy, as we’ve assembled a smorgasbord of tasty Parmesan facts for you!

All Parmigiano Reggiano cheeses are Parmesan cheeses, but not vice versa.

If cheese is called Parmigiano Reggiano, it must come from the Italian regions of Parma, Modena, Mantua, or Bologna.

On the other hand, Parmesan is simply any granulated cheese of the same style as Parmigiano Reggiano.

Confusingly, it’s also the English word we use to refer to the regional specialty and the type of cheese as a whole.

European Union regulations don’t just protect the name Parmigiano Reggiano but also the name Parmesan.

That means that not only do Parmigiano Reggiano cheeses have to come from the aforementioned specific regions in Italy, but you can’t just go calling any cheese Parmesan either.