Top 10 Fun Parmesan Cheese Facts: Uncovering the Secrets of Italy's Famous Delicacy

1. Cheese as Loan Collateral

Talk about a "wheely" good investment: In Northern Italy, Credito Emiliano, a regional bank, accepts mammoth wheels of Parmigiano-Reggiano as collateral for small-business loans, storing and aging the cheesy goodness in climate-controlled vaults for the loan's duration, ultimately aiding dairy farmers in paring down operating expenses.
Source => forbes.com

2. Astronaut-approved Parmesan

Houston, we have a parmesan: this delightful dairy delight isn't just a culinary superstar, it's also rocketing its way into astronauts' meals as an official space food favorite! The serious reveal: Parmesan cheese, or Parmigiano Reggiano, packs a punch with its high calcium, protein, and phosphorus content, making it a delicious ally in maintaining strong bones during space missions.
Source => reggitup.com

Did you know that a tropical tree seed called annatto is responsible for maintaining Cheddar's consistent color all year round? Discover how it saves this beloved cheese from milk hues shenanigans!

=> Fun Facts about Cheddar-Cheese

3. Parmesan Counterfeiting

In the world of cheese crime, parmesan counterfeiting runs grate: The prevalence of fraud with Parmigiano Reggiano, a prized Italian cheese, is estimated to be between 20% and 40% in its grated form due to its protected designation of origin (P.D.O.), which results in regulations and high prices that make it an appealing target for shady dealings.
Source => ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

4. The Ultimate Cheese Spa

Calling all cheese lovers to the ultimate cheese spa: where Parmigiano Reggiano cheese wheels luxuriate for months on wooden tables, enjoying the perfect temperature and humidity while aging gracefully - much like Jennifer Aniston! The serious reveal: Parmesan, or Parmigiano Reggiano, is the longest aged PDO cheese with a minimum 12 months of pampering but can be aged over 40 months, resulting in a bold flavor and various, versatile cuts, perfect for both food industry moguls and hungry snackers alike.
Source => dalterfood.com

5. Skeleton-approved Calcium Source

Parmesan cheese is what skeletons would snack on if they watched their calcium intake like the rest of us calcium-conscious mortals: a mere one-ounce serving of Parmigiano-Reggiano contains a whopping 27% of the daily recommended value of calcium, making it a go-to choice for everyone looking to keep their bones sturdy and healthy through the years!
Source => health.clevelandclinic.org

6. Parmesan Riches

If wheels of cheese were a currency, we'd be swimming in delicious, flavorful riches: In 2019, a whopping 3.75 million wheels of Parmigiano Reggiano PDO were produced, marking the highest production level ever and generating a tasty 2.6 billion euro turnover.
Source => news.italianfood.net

7. Cheesy Extraterrestrial Origins

Serving up cheesy goodness straight from the mothership, Parmigiano-Reggiano beamed down to Earth from the nutritious nebulas of northwestern Italy: Swarms of 66 to 88-pound cheese wheels are birthed, their rinds baring cryptic purple markings, destined for a two-year aging process—resulting in the hard, grainy, and sublimely flavorful delicacy we know as parmesan cheese.
Source => cnn.com

8. Aphrodite of the Dairy Aisle

Behold, parmesan cheese: the mighty Aphrodite of the dairy aisle, putting Greek gods on a diet and veggie lovers on a protein high. This calcium-clad charmer can woo your bones into osteoporosis-free bliss and caress your blood pressure into healthy submission: Parmesan is not only scrumptious, but it's a great source of calcium to support healthy bones and prevent osteoporosis, while boasting protein that can be beneficial in a vegetarian diet. However, as in any great love story, moderation is key – binge rendezvous with this seductive fromage can bestow unwanted bulk, leading to potential heartache and cardiovascular woes.
Source => webmd.com

9. Simple Ingredients, Divine Flavor

When life gives you milk, make parmesan: Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, an Italian master-cheese, is strictly made with just three innocent ingredients - milk, rennet, and salt - ensuring no hidden additives or preservatives barge into its cheesily-ever-after with cheese lovers worldwide.
Source => emiliadelizia.com

10. Shattering the Parmesan World-view

Hold onto your forks, cheese fiends: we're about to shatter your Parmesan-themed world-view! Parmesan cheese has been living a lie - its real identity is the chic Italian moniker, Parmigiano-Reggiano. True blue cheese connoisseurs know it's *the* Parmigiano-Reggiano or bust, baby: hailing from a specific region of Italy, this hard cheese packs a nutritional punch with vitamins A, B1-B3, B5, B6, B12, D, and K, along with protein, calcium, and phosphorus. Diet-conscious cheese lovers can rejoice, too: Parmigiano-Reggiano is low in lactose and may just be that dreamy ticket to health-conscious culinary adventures!
Source => lose-weight-with-us.com