27-year-old Italian cheese wheel breaks world record

27-year-old Italian cheese breaks world record - photo 1 — The cheese has been aged for more than 27 years. Photo: Association Nazionale del Parmigiano Reggiano

The world's oldest but still perfect

A 36 kg wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, handmade since 1998 at the farm of Mr. Romano and Mrs. Silvia Camorani in Poviglio (Italy), has just officially broken the record for the longest aged Parmesan cheese ever opened to eat.

After 27 years and 3 months, 6 years more than the old record of 21 years, this cheesecake is not only still edible but has also been praised as “a true gem of nature”.

The cheesemaker is said to decide how long and when to open the cheese. The aged parmesan is then tasted by a panel from the Parmigiano Reggiano group and is only considered authentic if it is judged edible and meets standards.

The value of this cheese wheel is estimated to exceed 20,000 euros (about 540 million VND). When the lid was opened at a special ceremony on June 1, the spreading aroma and rich cheese flavor delighted the connoisseurs.

“Its aroma and taste are amazing,” said Romano Camorani, who said he has been “lovingly” caring for the cake for decades.

The secret to making cheese “live long”

Parmigiano Reggiano is a protected designation of origin under the EU. It can only be produced in certain Italian provinces such as Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, as well as parts of Mantua and Bologna.

The ingredients are simple: cow's milk, salt, and yeast, but it's the technique and time that determine the quality. Typically, Parmigiano cheese is aged for 12-36 months. It's rare to see it aged for more than 27 years.

To do that, the cheese wheel must be large enough, with a balanced fat, protein, and salt content to withstand time and still be edible.

The secret, according to Mr. Camorani, lies not only in the ingredients or storage conditions, but also in the careful care with which it is handled, as if it were a child. “I think it could even last for 30 years,” he said.

The Parmesan cheese is promoted by the Association Nazionale del Parmigiano Reggiano, an association affiliated with the Parmigiano Reggiano group that supports its members in participating in global cheese competitions. The association is aiming to surpass the 28-year-old record set by an American cheddar in 2013.

Association spokesman Gabriele Arlotti revealed that another wheel of parmigiano reggiano is being aged in the hope of becoming the world's oldest cheese. The identity of the place of origin remains a secret, but the race for taste and time is sure to continue.

27-year-old Italian cheese breaks world record - photo 2 — Mr. Romano Camorani (in apron) opens a wheel of cheese. Photo: Association Nazionale del Parmigiano Reggiano

The Appetizer and the Future of the Record Wheel

About 7 kg of cheese from the cake was cut during the tasting. The cheese was served with traditional balsamic vinegar, creating a classic combination of Italian cuisine .

The event attracted attention not only because of the cheese’s “ageing” but also because of the recognition from the Parmigiano Reggiano Group. Mr. Nicola Bertinelli, Chairman of the group, called it an “extraordinary moment”, proving the product’s natural preservation ability without the need for chemical preservatives.

Mr Camorani is now considering what the rest of the cheese wheel will do. He has not yet decided whether to auction it all off or break it up for retail sale. “Some people have suggested exporting it to Japan, but I want to keep it local,” he said.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/du-lich/banh-pho-mai-italia-u-27-nam-pha-ky-luc-the-gioi-139857.html