What is Parmesan cheese?
[[File:A Parmigiano Reggiano at Clipper Lounge.jpg|thumb|Parmsean wheel ]] '''Parmesan cheese''' is the name of an [[Italy|Italian]] extra-hard [[cheese]] made of raw cow's milk. The original Parmesan cheese is more precisely called ''Parmigiano-Reggiano''. It is produced only in Italy, in the provinces of [[Parma]], [[Reggio]] [[Emilia-Romagna|Emilia]], [[Modena]], [[Mantua]] (partly) and [[Bologna]] (partly). It is usually the cheese to go with [[Spaghetti]] and other typical Italian [[pasta]], but it also has many other uses. Parmesan is a part of Italian national cuisine and it can be eaten both grated and in slivers. It is hard, sharp and dry. Parmigiano-Reggiano is [[Appellation d'origine contrôlée|DOP / AOC]]. This means that the way they are made and the region in [[Italy]] they come from are strictly controlled.[[File:Parmiggiano as wedding celebration antipasti.jpg|alt=|thumb|A Parmesan cheese wheel with some bits separate.]]The brand (Parmigiano Reggiano) is protected, and only in [[Europe]].<ref>[http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/legal_service/arrets/05c132_en.pdf Case C-132/05 Commission v Germany] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160221235656/http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/legal_service/arrets/05c132_en.pdf |date=2016-02-21 }} European Commission Legal Service, July 2008</ref> In many parts of the world, cheese is sold as ''Parmesan cheese'' that has nothing to do with the true (Italian) Parmigiano Reggiano.<ref>{{cite news |author= |agency= |title=Most Parmesan Cheeses in America Are Fake, Here's Why |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/larryolmsted/2012/11/19/the-dark-side-of-parmesan-cheese-what-you-dont-know-might-hurt-you |quote=... that it has earned the nickname in the dairy industry, 'The King of Cheeses.' |newspaper=[[Forbes]] |date=November 19, 2012 |accessdate=2015-05-13 }}</ref> The original Parmesan cheese is one of the most expensive cheeses in the world.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Romeo|first=Claudia|title=Why parmesan cheese is so expensive|url=https://www.insider.com/why-real-parmesan-cheese