How to keep the Parmigiano Reggiano: the expert replies
How to keep Parmigiano Reggiano It is a question that concerns, if not everyone, certainly many. Yes, because the “king” of Italian cheeses is almost always in the homes of Italians. Therefore, so that keep At best all your perfumes and all your flavor, you have to know how to keep it in the right place and in the correct way. It does not rarely happen that it becomes dry or, on the contrary, it molds, especially if already grated. What are the rules to follow? We talked about it with Simone Ficarelli, master tasting of the Parmigiano Reggiano Dop Consortium.
How to keep Parmigiano Reggiano
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Where the Parmigiano Reggiano is preserved
The Parmigiano Reggiano always goes in fridge Or not? “Always goes to the fridge, unless it is an entire shape. In this case, the ideal environment is a cellar with a temperature between about 15 and 20 degrees, which allows the cheese to continue the fermentation naturally »says Simone Ficarelli. «For the rest it must be remembered that the enemies of Parmigiano Reggiano, as well as all cheeses, are Light, warmth and air».
How to keep Parmigiano Reggiano in the refrigerator
The optimal temperature to store the Parmigiano Reggiano In the fridge it is around 4 degrees: then it goes put in the central shelf where there is generally the compartment of cheeses. The point is, how to keep it? «If it has been bought vacuum, it should be left under vacuum until just before eating it and consuming it normally by the expiry date. The vacuum serves precisely to make sure that the Parmesan does not come into contact with the air“Says Ficarelli.
Where to wrap the Parmigiano Reggiano
After opening the vacuum, or the packaging with which it is sold in the gastronomy, the Parmesan It can begin to perish by becoming dry or molding. “To avoid it»Says Ficarelli,”The ideal is to keep it in an airtight, glass or plastic tray. Alternatively it is fine Oleata paper Like the one they give in salumeria, which contains of of the egg shell, which allows you to protect the cheese from smells. The Parmesan, in fact, absorbs them: for this reason it may happen that its aromas are ruined by those of other foods in the fridge “says Ficarelli. Even easier alternative? “The parchment paper, further protected by food film. Remember, however, in all cases, to change the card periodically as soon as it becomes anointed».
How the Parmigiano Reggiano is not preserved
The easiest way to ruin the Parmesan is to wrap it in absorbent paper. “The absorbent paper also absorbs the fat, and therefore leads the cheese to spray. The same happens when the Parmesan is wrapped in the canvashow it was once. These wrong conservation methods, in fact, are cultural retailers »observes Ficarelli.
How to keep parmesan without making it moldy
In addition to becoming dry and acid, Parmigiano Reggiano can also mold. “The mold” continues Ficarelli, “generally it can be formed on not too seasoned cheese, and The cause is the condensate that is created between the surface of the product and the paper with which it is enveloped. This is why it is important to change it often and dry the piece of Parmigiano Primo to put it in the fridge. In any case, just cut the part affected by the mold, otherwise the cheese can be eaten without risk ».
How to preserve the grated Parmigiano Reggiano
If you also happened to you to grate so much Parmesan Reggiano to keep it ready for use in the fridge, know that it should not be done. “The Parmesan must be grated at the moment so that it releases all the organoleptic characteristics, which, among other things, expresses the best on hot dishes. It is a shame to grate it in advance: in this way the surface of the cheese in contact with the air is considerably higher and therefore increases the risk that absorb the condensation that can form in the cheese. In short, the product is ruined».
Can Parmigiano Reggiano freeze?
Another way to ruin the Parmesan is freezing: «It is absolutely not recommended to freeze the Parmesan: on an organoleptic level it loses a lot. Rather, if you are afraid to waste it, use it in any recipe that can then freeze: From stuffed to the oven, the options are infinite ».
How to taste the Parmigiano Reggiano at best
The more advice? “To better enjoy the Parmesan, if it is vacuum, open the package at least thirty minutes earlier And, if you notice that the shape is greased, dry it: it may happen that it forms of the acetic acid which, when it is not removed, can affect the tasting experience. Once this half hour has passed “concludes Ficarelli,” cut it into flakes or grate it and enjoy all its perfumes and flavor “.
