There are certain things that improve a meal such as a little salt, bacon, or parmesan cheese. But to enjoy those fully, and the enhancements they bring to a meal, you ideally want the best version of each. Find out why October 27 is dubbed Parmigiano Reggiano Day and why going with the “real deal” is far better than merely shaking some crumbles out of a can.

The cheesemaking process extends through the ripening process. Photo courtesy The Consortium of Parmigiano Reggiano.

Cheesemaking can be a complicated feat anyway but authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano goes through many steps, from the dairy farms, to various stages of culturing, to cooking, and aging before it is ready to consume. The processes lead to a rich and unique flavor profile that make it worth seeking out the real thing. Like wine, there is a way to taste the cheese to help you fully enjoy it. More on that, below with the help of the Consortium of Parmigiano Reggiano.

Fans of the Netflix series, Chef’s Table may remember the debut episode in which Chef Massimo Bottura partnered with the Consortium to save the 360,000 Parmigiano Reggiano wheels damaged in May 2012 when two devastating earthquakes hit the Emilia-Romagna region in Italy. Chef Bottura developed and shared his revolutionary Risotto Cacio e Pepe recipe which featured, and was cooked IN Parmigiano Reggiano. The dish premiered on October 27, 2012 and was an instant hit. Restaurants and home chefs around the world made their versions which resulted in The Consortium of Parmigiano Reggiano selling all damaged wheels – saving the local cheese industry to boot.

How to Really Enjoy Parmigiano Reggiano

To celebrate, The Consortium of Parmigiano Reggiano made October 27 the annual day to encourage people to make and order dishes made with “The King of Cheeses.” In 2020, the commemoration also shows support for the 5,000 workers involved in the making of Parmigiano Reggiano who have been affected by COVID-19.

For those of us who can’t get to Italy to enjoy the authentic experience of an actual tasting room, The Consortium has created a fascinating, and easy-to-use guide that explains more about how Parmigiano Reggiano is made, how to know you are buying the real thing, and how to understand its complexities.

While it’s great to understand Parmigiano Reggiano more completely, it’s wonderful to eat it! The Consortium’s website also has many amazing looking-and-sounding recipes that utilize the cheese from appetizers, to rice & pastas, to main dishes, sides, and even desserts.

Hungry for more? Try this Italian recipe from Real Food Traveler for Taglioni Pasta with Truffles. In the U.S., Wisconsin is known for cheesemaking. Hear from a local cheesemaker on our podcast. Then, find out how you can make cheese at home.

Keep this article handy on Pinterest so you make sure you’re getting authentic product.