The Wonderfulosity of Cheese, Part 8: The Return; or, Thank Heavens for Argentina

I know, I know.  My throngs of adoring fans have been missing this feature for a long time, I'm sure.  Well, you shall once again catch a small glimpse of the Mind of Mandos on fromagerrific fun. 

While I haven't been writing this feature---conveniently available in my "Food and Drink" category*---for a while, I have not stopped searching for interesting cheeses.  I just had to share my latest find with you, which combines the taste of a high-quality aged imported cheese with the affordability of a cheap store-brand domestic cheese: Argentinian parmesan reggianito.  This is the Argentinian knock-off of the Italian (obviously) parmesan reggiano, so named because, apparently, it comes in 15 pound wheels rather than the Italian 80 pound wheels.  It is less than half the price of the Italian version at least where I bought it, and this brings it into a price range comparable with generic non-imported non-aged cheeses.

But this is definitely an aged cheese, and for the price, it is an excellent buy.  It is primarily intended as a grating cheese as most parmesan cheeses are, but it is not a particularly hard parmesan, and can be sliced and eaten on crackers or toast.  It has a balanced, slightly nutty flavour, not too sharp, but with a hint of a sting.  The outer layer of this aged cheese is dryer and nuttier-tasting.  Being a grating cheese, the slices have a grainy texture.

I just melted it over toast, and it melts with a very nice consistency.  It retains its flavour, becoming slightly more sharp and sour---which is should.   All in all, a very good cheese for a low price.  Too bad that place where I bought it from is not usually convenient for me to go to, but when next I visit it, I'm definitely buying another wedge.

*The name of the category was what was provided by TypePad in its initial selection of categories.  Interestingly, I have so far only ever reviewed food, not drink.  Curious, eh?

Comments

[skdadl]

Parmesan reggianito is news to me, Mandos, and it sounds like a good thing. I think I know just the shop that might have it, or would bring it in if a customer mentioned it.