Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese Factory Tour in Italy

The day began with an early morning train journey from Florence city to Reggio Emilia where our host Claudio was waiting to receive his guests

Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese Factory Tour in Italy

Reggio Emilia Cheese Factory Tour

The day began with an early morning train journey from Florence city to Reggio Emilia where our host Claudio was waiting to receive his guests

The process fo cheese making starts early even for the cheese makers. As early as 5 AM sometimes! This little calf is only a few days old . Not milking for the cheese just yet!

Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese Factory Tour in Italy

Cows at the Dairy Farm

The process fo cheese making starts early even for the cheese makers. As early as 5 AM sometimes! This little calf is only a few days old . Not milking for the cheese just yet!

All the cows have to follow a strict diet to maintain the quality of milk they produce. There is also an exercise schedule for them to stay fit !

Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese Factory Tour in Italy

Cows at the Dairy Farm

All the cows have to follow a strict diet to maintain the quality of milk they produce. There is also an exercise schedule for them to stay fit ! Walking mostly !

The first stop is a rather large factory with cooking pots that cook the milk for cheese buns and even for storing the cheese till it ages and is ready to be consumed

Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese Factory Tour in Italy

Reggio Emilia Cheese Factory

The first stop is a rather large factory with cooking pots that cook the milk for cheese buns and even for storing the cheese till it ages and is ready to be consumed

Several litters of milk is used in a single pot to produce nearly 100 Kgs of cheese muffin

Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese Factory Tour in Italy

Cheese in large pots to remove the water content

Several litters of milk is used in a single pot to produce nearly 100 Kgs of cheese muffin

The large cheese muffin is divided into two halves and then stuffed in plastic cases for a longer dehydration process

Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese Factory Tour in Italy

Getting the Cheese Wheel ready!

The large cheese muffin is divided into two halves and then stuffed in plastic cases for a longer dehydration process

Wrapped in muslin cloths to preserve the flavour, here is a train of freshly cooked cheese wheels ready for the next process

Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese Factory Tour in Italy

Cheese wheels right out of the cooking pot

Wrapped in muslin cloths to preserve the flavour, here is a train of freshly cooked cheese wheels ready for the next process

This heavy wooden lid is used to press the cheese wheel and force out the remaining water content . It is also wrapped with a plastic stencil that imprints the date of manufacture and other important markers, during this process

Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese Factory Tour in Italy

Cheese Dehydration process

This heavy wooden lid is used to press the cheese wheel and force out the remaining water content . It is also wrapped with a plastic stencil that imprints the date of manufacture and other important markers, during this process

The plastic that is wrapped around the cheese wheel with all the passport details fo the new born cheese!

Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese Factory Tour in Italy

Cheese markings with Date of Manufacture

The plastic that is wrapped around the cheese wheel with all the passport details of the new born cheese!

After a few days the Cheese is removed from the plastic wrap and stored in metal wraps for more salting

Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese Factory Tour in Italy

Cheese Dehydration process

After a few days the Cheese is removed from the plastic wrap and stored in metal wraps for more salting

Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese Factory Tour in Italy

Cheese heaven!

After various process of dehydration, the cheese wheels are left in this library stack to age peacefully where no one must disturb the process of maturation.

It is important that every cheese wheel is tested regularly but without cutting the wheel! A small hammer is used to know of any hollowness and disturbing changes that might make the wheel unfit for sale.

Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese Factory Tour in Italy

Important Quality Checks! Cheese Maturation testing

It is important that every cheese wheel is tested regularly but without cutting the wheel! A small hammer is used to know of any hollowness and disturbing changes that might make the wheel unfit for sale.

Can use it as a pillow! This one wheel ways about 40 Kgs!

Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese Factory Tour in Italy

Can't cut the wheel but..

Can use it as a pillow! This one wheel ways about 40 Kgs!

And finally the whole fan fair of cheese and its delicious partners Prosciutto, Vinegar and wine.

Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese Factory Tour in Italy

Cheese tasting

And finally the whole fan fair of cheese and its delicious partners Prosciutto, Vinegar and wine.

Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese Factory Tour in Italy

Farm preserved Cold Cuts

Those were very very sinful!

The taste of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese changes quite notably with the number of years added to its maturity

Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese Factory Tour in Italy

Different Aged Cheese

The taste of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese changes quite notably with the number of years added to its maturity

This is what heaven tastes like! Top quality vinegar on 16 month old cheese. Tour by 'The Secrets of Parmigiano Reggiano

Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese Factory Tour in Italy

Happiness

This is what heaven tastes like! Top quality vinegar on 16 month old cheese. Tour by 'The Secrets of Parmigiano Reggiano

Did you know that Parmigiano Reggiano cheese also known as Parmesan cheese can become lactose free after a few years of ageing! Luxuryvolt went on a journey to the home town of this magical cheese in Reggio Emilia, to discover the process and breathe in the unforgettable scents inside a cheese factory! Here’s a pictorial blog on how that soft grated snow flake like cheese on your pasta is made.

Shilpa Dhamija

Shilpa Dhamija is the Editor in chief of Luxuryvolt. LuxuryVolt is one of the most influential luxury lifestyle online portals in India and south-east Asia. Our content is also present in offline mediums like The Hindu Business Line, The Telegraph, Hello! Magazine and Al Roya. Shilpa has held position of a Senior Correspondent in CNN IBN, News Anchor NDTV 24x7, Producer of popular tech show Cell Guru. She has also worked as a correspondent at the Times Of India. Follow on Google +

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