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Parmesan Cheese:
A 'Secret weapon' for the Ages
Cheese has been described as "Milk's leap to Immortality", a monumental event occurring over 6,000 years ago. It has been found in Sumerian cuneiform tablets of 4,000 BC, and in cheese pots found in ancient Egyptian tombs. The word derives from the Latin word "caseus", which was adapted into old English as "cese", and eventually "cheese".
The Legend of Discovery
An unknown equestrian, left on a long journey to his love with a ration of milk, which he kept in a leather pouch. After several hours riding, he stopped to quench his thirst. To his surprise, the solids and liquids had separated. He tried the solid portion and loved it, whereupon he presented it to his love!
Legends in the writings of Otesia, a scholar of 400BC, also tells of the story of an Assyrian queen, Semiramis, who was fed throughout her childhood by birds who brought cheese made by shepherds. Ancient Greeks believed cheese to be of Divine origin. Aristaeus, son of Apollo, was the "giver of cheese", to be consumed by the fairest gods on Olympus.
Parmesan (Parmagiano-Reggiano)
Parmesan, the 'Queen of the Italian cheeses' originated from a family of 'grana' cheeses documented by Homer as early as 8th century BC. Old Etruscan traditions persevered over centuries and Parmesan's official birthplace is now recognized as the town of Bibbiano near Piacenza in the province of Parma.
Parmesan was a 'secret weapon' used by Roman legionnaires, for it kept them strong and lasted for their long journeys into battles. Soon after, the Romans flavoured their stores of Parmesan with spices from the Far East, thus creating a flavourful cheese that kept well whilst maintaining its sharp, tangy, and zesty flavour.
Another legend has it that near the town of Parma, Italy, there was a mountain made entirely of grated parmesan cheese. Atop the mountain, a community of macaroni makers prepared hot pasta, bathed it in butter, and rolled it down the mountain to the hungry people waiting below. Unfortunately, this delicious story is just a legend.
In reality, Parmesan is one of the oldest Italian cheeses. It was developed about 400 years ago in the castled city of Parma.
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