Parmigiano Reggiano

Country of Origin: Italy
Make no mistake, this is not Kraft parmesan cheese. Like mozzarella, the real thing is nothing like that bottled powder you find on the shelf. Parmigiano Reggiano is the original parmesan cheese made in the Parma and surrounding regions of Italy. Only cheese made in this region is allowed to bear this name. If it says parmesan, be assured it did not come from Parma! This cheese is classified as a hard cheese. It is dry and crumbly in texture, and it's flavor is full, rich, nutty, and earthy all at once. It is very complex, perhaps due to it's long aging time- at least 15-18 months. It is made in huge wheels. If you are lucky enough to find the real thing in your store (I actually found it in the deli section at Wal-mart), it will probably be a small wedge with the name stamped on the outer rind. It is fabulous!
Photo credit: blogs.govexec.com