Freshly grated cheese at a trattoria

Certainly!

Parmesan cheese has a distinctly nutty and buttery flavor that is often described as savory, umami, and slightly sweet. It is commonly grated over pasta dishes, risottos and soups in Italian cuisine. Its hard texture also makes it an excellent cheese for snacking, as it can be broken into small pieces.

Parmesan cheese is also known as Parmigiano-Reggiano, which is a protected designation of origin (PDO) cheese produced only in certain regions of Italy. This means that for cheese to be legally called “Parmesan”, it must be made according to specific standards and regulations, including the use of specific ingredients and production methods.

In summary, Parmesan (or Parmigiano-Reggiano) is a hard, nutty cheese that originates from the Parma region of Italy. It is commonly grated over Italian dishes and snacked on due to its unique flavor and hard texture.