The arrival on the shelves of PDO Parmigiano Reggiano “40 mesi” (40 months matured Parmigiano Reggiano PDO) is scheduled for Christmas 2020. According to the Consortium for the protection of the “King of Cheeses”, the project has been launched in November, 2019 to promote the development of a new market segment for long aged cheeses.
The Consortium explains that “the goal is a step away from being achieved if we consider that today, just over seven months after the launch of the project, over 60 member dairies are involved. This means a total of 85,000 cheese wheels will be placed on the market in the next three years. Actually, in the Christmas period of 2020, 2021, and 2022, and only after they have reached a 40-month maturing period.”
THE “40 MESI” PROJECT IN DETAIL
The Consortium points out that “the project started from the supply side, with incentives for dairies that have kept in the warehouses the wheels produced in the years 2017, 2018 and 2019, so that they do not end up on the market earlier than they should.” It should also be noted that the minimum maturation period for Parmigiano Reggiano PDO cheese is 12 months, while there is no maximum maturation imposed by the product specifications.
Click here to unveil the King of Cheeses Consortium’s member dairies
PDO Parmigiano Reggiano 40 months is appreciated and used in the kitchen to naturally enhance the flavours and aromas of many dishes. It is characterised by “spicy notes, in particular nutmeg and pepper, dried fruit and meat broth”.