10 Cheesy Facts About the Parmesan Cheese That Came From Italy

Fact #1:

Parmesan cheese is produced from unpasteurized milk obtained through cows. It originated in Italy.

Fact #2:

Cows used for producing Parmesan cheese are typically fed only grass or hay.

Fact #3:

The average Parmesan cheese wheel is 18 to 24 centimeters in height, 40 to 45 centimeters in diameter, and weighs 38 kilograms.

Fact #4:

The most common uses of Parmesan cheese are in pasta, soup and risotto.

Fact #5:

Legend states that Parmesan cheese was created in the Middle Ages in Bibbiano.

Fact #6:

One popular method of eating Parmesan cheese includes placing Parmesan cheese cubes on small wooden toothpicks and drizzling the cubes with Balsamic vinegar.

Fact #7:

In Italy, it is common for the head of a wheel of Parmesan cheese to be used as a “serving pot.” The head is hollowed out and then filled with steaming pasta.

Fact #8:

The farther from the center of a wheel of Parmesan cheese, the harder the cheese. Therefore, to obtain the best grated Parmesan cheese, you’ll want to grate the edges of a cheese wheel.

Fact #9:

The minimum amount of aging time for a wheel of Parmesan cheese is one year, but wheels are often aged for 2 to 3 years before making it out to the market.

Fact #10:

At the Parmigiano-Reggiano festival in Modena, Italy, a wheel of Parmesan cheese often sells for around 490 euros.