Consorzio Parmigiano Reggiano invests in the “40 months” Premium Project

The intent is to enhance the distinctiveness of the PDO, emphasizing how Parmigiano Reggiano is a cheese capable of reaching long maturations and giving unique sensations to the palate.

Parmigiano Reggiano is an unique product, but there is one for all tastes: the biodiversity of the cattle breeds, the ages (from 12 to over 80 months) and the "certified" products offer extremely varied flavours, nuances and emotions.

In particular, the Consortium has invested in long ageing, an increasingly interesting proposition for Parmigiano Reggiano companies, and above all in the "40 months" Premium Project. Launched in 2019 to promote the development of this market segment, the Project started, on the supply side, with an incentive for dairies to keep the wheels produced in the last three years on the scales. The Consortium has also taken steps to introduce a specific quality selection as a guarantee for the buyer. Today 47 manufacturing companies have joined, for a total of around 30,000 wheels currently on the market, a proposal that is increasingly appreciated by consumers around the world.

The unique taste of Parmigiano Reggiano 40 months?

Parmigiano Reggiano 40 months is a product with unique characteristics: crumbly, extremely soluble and with a strong personality, it is appreciated and used by haute cuisine throughout the world as an ingredient to give a touch of umami to dishes, i.e. with that sapid and pleasant taste that tickles the taste buds and makes the sensory experience unforgettable. From Carlo Cracco to Massimo Bottura, there are many Michelin starred chefs who appreciate its complexity and organoleptic characteristics.

Above all, it is the pure tasting that transfers all the complexity and organoleptic characteristics of this cheese to the nose and palate: from the strong and spicy aroma, with notes of nutmeg and pepper, to the savory and intense flavor, with hints of dried fruit and beef broth.

Parmigiano Reggiano over 40 months is characterized by a more intense straw yellow colour, tending towards amber, with clearly visible crystals and amino acid formations, created by proteolytic processes.

The long ages are also a source of selenium and chromium. Selenium is a micronutrient that contributes to the normal function of the immune system, the protection of cells from oxidative stress, normal thyroid function and the maintenance of normal hair and nails. Chromium contributes to normal macronutrient metabolism and the maintenance of normal blood glucose levels.

Objective: to give more value to the PDO. The Consortium has been engaged for several years in a process of valorisation of Parmigiano Reggiano, as Nicola Bertinelli, President of the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium, says: "Parmigiano Reggiano is increasingly on its way to becoming a global brand, ready to face the obstacles posed by markets, primarily the US market, which are extremely vast, full of imitation products and characterized by marked confusion at the time of purchase. The Consortium is working diligently to enhance the distinctiveness of the PDO, providing the consumer with more information on its characteristics. Also for this reason, we have decided to focus on the "40 months" Premium Project, emphasizing that Parmigiano Reggiano, unlike other cheeses, can reach high levels of ageing, giving the palate unique sensations, maintaining a perfect balance of tastes and becoming in the hands of the chefs tool to give an unique touch of character to dishes. With 47 participating companies and about 30,000 wheels on the market, it's not just the numbers that reward us: it's above all the consumers, who continue to show loyalty to the values of our PDO: naturalness, sustainability, craftsmanship and a link with tradition".