Next time you taste Parmesan cheese, there might be a funny surprise hidden in there! The producers of real Parmigiano-Reggiano have a technological trick to protect their treasures.
Next time you taste a piece of… Parmesan cheeseThere may be a microscopic surprise hiding out there, according to information from The Wall Street Journal. The artisans of real Parmigiano-Reggiano (that darling Parmesan cheese you sprinkle on all your favorite pasta dishes) have inserted tiny edible electronic chips into their 38 kilo wheels!
These flakes, as small as a grain of sand, have a specific mission. But why add technology to our favorite cheese? This is an ingenious trick by the producers to fight against imitations. The original Parmigiano-Reggiano has a Protected Designation within the European Union. To be worthy of this title, she must be born in a certain region of northern Italy, in Emilia-Romagna, and respect strict manufacturing methods. This cheese is then matured for at least twelve months. Thanks to its reputation for excellence, genuine Parmesan can command a higher price than its cousins simply called “Parmesan”.
To identify this, consumers should usually look for the “Parmigiano-Reggiano” label. Unfortunately, many less authentic versions circulate in the market. Hence the idea of potato chips. They are labeled casein, which is a common and safe food label. Each slice contains a unique serial number that confirms the authenticity of the cheese. Thus we can return to the original farm. “We innovate in our fight. We remain determined,” says Alberto Pecorari, an advocate for Parmesan authenticity. And rest assured, even if you accidentally swallow one of these chips, you can’t be traced!
