Parmigiano-Reggiano Question

G

georgiarose

Well-known member
Maybe one of you experts can help me. Several months ago, I bought some grated Parmigiano-Reggiano from The Fresh Market (where I normally buy it). I made Pasta Carbonara, and it both smelled and tasted off. It had an incredibly strong odor akin to bug spray which permeated the pasta so much that it was inedible and we threw the whole thing out!

I took the remaining cheese back and the manager agreed it smelled off. They graciously replaced not only the cheese, but the rest of the ingredients I ruined. Since then, I have purchased several more containers from them with no issue. However, yesterday, the same thing happened. I opened the cheese and sniffed it before using (as I've done since the carbonara fiasco) and it had that same bug spray type smell. I even tasted it to make sure, and it had that same chemical taste as well.

I know they will refund me, but I am wondering if any of you have ever had an issue with Parmigiano-Reggiano similar to this? We like strong cheeses, and I know the regular smell of Parmigiano-Reggiano, which is not even close to this. Also, where is a good place to buy Parmigiano-Reggiano? After years of no issues, I've become very wary of The Fresh Market's offering now. Thanks for your input in advance!

BTW - This is the $19.99 per pound cheese they grate fresh in the store.

 
Wow, how awful! I've never had the problem and hope I never will. I buy mine at Trader Joes or at

an Italian import store.

 
I have never experienced that. I buy the Parmigiano Reggiano from Costco. It is the real stuff

with the name stamped on the rind. Always fresh. I run it through the food processor to a fine texture, and store in clean, hermetically sealed glass jar. I keep a chunk to use for shaving off over certain recipes. It keeps in my fridge which is set at 37° for months.

 
Just wondering out loud, could it have been residual from cleaning the grating device?

They must use a mechanical device to grate all that cheese. Could you possibly have gotten the first batch run through it after a cleaning, and thus the chemical smell/taste? Just trying to think of reasons it would be infrequent...

 
fake Parmigiano-Reggiano is big biz even at "gourmet" and high end stores

I wonder if you did not get some Made in China stuff. they've been caught putting melamine in milk products exported to the US (including baby formula). The reasoning as explained by the WHO:

"Why was melamine added into milk and powdered infant formula

In China, where adulteration has occurred, water has been added to raw milk to increase its volume. As a result of this dilution the milk has a lower protein concentration. Companies using the milk for further production (e.g. of powdered infant formula) normally check the protein level through a test measuring nitrogen content. The addition of melamine increases the nitrogen content of the milk and therefore its apparent protein content. "

 
I also bought (flinching at the $$) Italian PR at Whole Foods. No longer near a store I

...now buy the large flaked packages at Publix. One day they had 6 oz wedges priced as 2/$6. I actually thought they had mis-priced the items and left off a "1" in front of the $6.

Bought it anyway and tasted it. Not exactly sure what constitutes "pramesan cheese" but this was far from what I remembered the real stuiff tasting like.

 
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