Parmigiano Reggiano cheese

Parmigiano Reggiano, commonly known as Parmesan cheese in English, is a prestigious hard, granular cheese. Its production is strictly regulated and carries the protected designation of origin (PDO) status.

Authentic Parmigiano Reggiano is exclusively manufactured in specific regions of Northern Italy, including the provinces of Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, and parts of Mantua and Bologna. The brand is not a single company but a collective designation managed by the Consorzio del Formaggio Parmigiano Reggiano, which ensures that all cheese bearing this name meets rigorous quality and geographical standards. Ownership of specific pieces of cheese often rests with individual dairies or larger distributors, but the protected brand itself remains an Italian cultural and economic staple.