Parmigiano Reggiano is a cheese with an important history, and the result of a complex and very particular process. It has an inimitable taste and characteristics… but imitations do exist! So here is a list of tips on how to recognize true Parmigiano Reggiano!
How to recognize Parmigiano Reggiano by using your 5 senses.
Sight
The first thing to do is observe the cheese and look for the following clues:
- Dotted writing "Parmigiano Reggiano" on the side surface of the rind.
- Casein plate identifying individual wheels.
- Mandatory wording such as the CE stamp, the words "Certified by Control Body authorized by Mipaaf", and the authorization number issued by the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium.
- Colored label based on the aging period (lobster color for aging over 18 months, silver over 22 months, gold over 30 months).
- Color from golden straw to pale straw, which varies depending on the diet of the cows that produced the milk and the maturation (a more aged Parmigiano will have a darker color).
- Ingredient label: The label is not necessary if the only ingredients of a food product are those basic for its production. In the case of Parmigiano, these are milk, salt, and rennet: if there is a label and it shows additional ingredients beyond these three, it is not Parmigiano Reggiano.
Smell
The aroma of Parmigiano Reggiano has vegetal, floral, and spicy notes.
Taste
The taste of Parmigiano Reggiano is strong and intense, never spicy or bitter.
Touch
- The surface of Parmigiano Reggiano is characterized by the presence of tyrosine crystals, which appear as small white specks on the surface, giving the cheese its typical granularity. The more aged the wheel, the larger the crystals.
- The paste should crumble to the touch, and melt in your mouth.
- The structure of the wheel is flaky: this means that once the tip of the knife is pushed into the cheese paste, it should break off in thin slivers.
- True Parmigiano Reggiano does not have holes larger than 2 mm in diameter in the paste.
Hearing
Unfortunately, Parmigiano Reggiano doesn't speak: but if it could tell you something, it would certainly be to follow the advice listed above to recognize its authenticity!
