Parmigiano Reggiano is a hard cheese - firm in texture due to its low moisture content and long aging period - whose origins trace back to the Benedictine and Cisterian monastic communities of the 12th century. It was in the castles and abbeys of that time that the first diaries devoted to its production were established.

Traditionally, Parmigiano Reggiano was made using the milk of Red Cows, a breed introduced to Italy during the barbarian migrations. Today, Friesian cows are also among the most commonly used breeds for its production. 

This cheese is a DOP product (a PDO product, Protected Designation of Origin, a European certification that safeguards typical high-quality products by linking them to their area of origin and protecting them from counterfeiting). Only cheeses produced according to strict regulations are entitled to bear the name “Parmigiano-Reggiano” and display the identifying marks engraved on the rind of each wheel.