Parmesan is a hard, granular cheese with a rich, nutty taste. It’s named after Parma, the city in northern Italy where it was first produced in the Middle Ages. Parmesan cheese is made from cow’s milk and has a firm texture that makes it ideal for grating over pasta dishes.

The name parmesan comes from the Latin word “parma,” meaning shield or protection. The term was used to describe any kind of protective covering, such as a helmet or shield. The name was later applied to the cheese produced in Parma, Italy.

The production process for parmesan cheese has remained virtually unchanged for centuries. All parmesan cheese starts out with whole cow’s milk that is left to sit at room temperature for several hours until it clots into curds and whey.

The curds are then heated and pressed into molds where they are aged by hanging them from racks or shelves in cool airy caves for several months before being sold at markets around the world.

Last modified: August 1, 2022