Parmigiano Reggiano, An Italian Currency

Parmigiano Reggiano is one of the finest cheeses in the world, and one of the most regulated. The Consorzio Parmigiano Reggiano inspects every wheel of cheese by hand. The consortium makes sure that each and every producer of Parmigiano adheres to the strict standards of purity, aging, and production that produce the deliciously nutty flavor, crumbly texture, and unique aroma of each individual wheel of cheese. In fact, because the quality and demand of Parmigiano Reggiano is so consistent, the cost of one wheel (approximately 80 pounds) is 490 Euro, or approximately $670.

The production of the cheese hasn't changed over centuries. It's an artisan style cheese made from certain breeds of cows that are only fed fresh, sweet grass from the Parma and Reggio Emilia regions of Italy. There are no additives or artificial colors added, and the cows are never fed grains in any form whatsoever. The milk is not pasteurized and the cheese is aged for 12-24 months, no less.

Parmigiano Reggiano has always been held in high esteem throughout Europe, mostly for its flavor, texture, and aroma, but also because it travels and stores well. It has always been considered a luxury item and a gourmet food to which only the wealthiest people had access. As a result it has always been expensive and demanded a high price. The most expensive wheel of this cheese sells for $3200 and is made from the milk of Vache Rosse cows.

The cheese is so esteemed and valuable that it is also used as collateral in Italy. The bank Credito Emiliana holds more than 300,000 wheels of Parmigiano Reggiano in its vaults as collateral on loans and also as a security against the European cheese market.

In the European Union any cheese that isn't produced in the designated regions of Italy cannot be called "Parmesan." It's a trademarked name, although outside Europe, and in the U.S. especially, pretty much anything can be called parmesan. The cheese made in America is vastly different and not as good as the real thing.

The real Parmigiano Reggiano is easy to recognize, because the entire rind is stamped with the name and the stamp of the consortium. You can order parmesan online or buy it in specialty stores but it's becoming more widely available in grocery stores as the food revolution in America has driven gourmet food to become more accessible to the general public. Parmigiano Reggiano is definitely worth the higher price due to its superior quality. It also lasts longer than generic parmesan because its flavor and aroma are much more intense and fulfilling. Look for the writing on the rind and invest in some Parmigiano Reggiano for your own kitchen.