The Parmesan You Know Might Not Actually Be Real Cheese
Beyond the controversy of real versus fake parmesan cheese, there is another factor that should make you pause the next time you reach for that convenient container of pre-grated parmesan or package of pre-shredded parmesan cheese — preservatives and fillers. Many of these cheese products contain potato starch to keep the cheese separated, natamycin to prevent the cheese from molding, and cellulose or powdered wood pulp as a filler.
While the addition of 2% to 4% percent of cellulose is recognized as not potentially hazardous to your health, manufacturers regularly add far more to their pre-shredded and grated cheese products. Additionally, manufacturers like Castle Cheese Inc, have been caught labeling a combination of swiss, mozzarella, cheddar, and cellulose as parmesan, when there wasn’t an ounce of the real deal in there, per Inc.
Certainly, pre-grated and shredded cheeses are easy and affordable, but yet again, you get what you pay for. It is definitely worth spending a bit extra to not only obtain something that isn’t replete with wood pulp, but that is actual Parmigiano Reggiano. It is fairly simple to grate real parmesan from a block using a microplane or box grater. And because it has such a rich, pungent flavor, a little goes a long way in satisfying your craving for that umami-forward profile that’ll amp up virtually any dish you are concocting in your kitchen.
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