When I used to be a cheesemonger (at a store that specifically only sold American-made cheeses), one of the things that confused customers the most was that we didn’t sell Parmesan cheese. Not a single wedge! This was simply because American Parmigiano Reggiano does not technically exist.
Yes, you can pick up a hunk of something labeled “Parmesan” or a grated container of Parm at any odd grocery store, but you’re often not getting the full experience of genuine Italian-made Parmigiano Reggiano. So it was never on our shelves (sorry!)
If you’ve ever spotted a product or cheese that’s labeled as “real Parmesan,” I’m going to ask you to kindly step away from it like you’re a cartoon rabbit who has just spotted dynamite. Why is that? Well, much like how the phrase “jumbo shrimp” is a misnomer, “real Parmesan” doesn’t quite quantify much of anything being, well, real. Confused? Well, let me break it down.
To read the rest of the story, please go to: The Kitchn
