What is Parmigiano Reggiano?

The most popular and widely used cheese in Italy and internationally is Parmigiano Reggiano. It is a hard cheese created from the milk of cows raised in the valleys, hills, and mountains between the Po River and the Reno River in the provinces of Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, and portions of Mantua and Bologna. The quality of the milk that is transported for processing is regularly checked, and the distinctive qualities that make Parmigiano a wholly natural product devoid of chemicals or preservatives are guaranteed. The Parmigiano Reggiano trademark can only be applied to cheese made in accordance with the Consortium's stringent production guidelines, which are protected by a DOP (protected designation of origin).

This cheese gets more brittle and soluble as it ages, acquiring its trademark crumbly structure and flaky texture. In fact, everything sold outside of this region under the term "parmesan cheese" is nearly invariably a subpar fake.