Top Stories » Headlines » Perishables

Whole Foods Market cheesemongers and even a few of the company’s regional presidents will flex their muscles as they simultaneously crack open full hundreds of wheels of the Italian king of cheeses, Parmigiano Reggiano, at 5 p.m. EDT on April 16 in stores across the United States.

For the third year, Whole Foods Market cheese departments will spotlight two-year-aged 85-pound wheels of Parmigiano Reggiano as it is traditionally cracked open by team members using official tools from Italy’s Consorzio del Formaggio Parmigiano Reggiano in a 30-minute carving and portioning process.

“Whole Foods Market loves sharing our passion for Parmigiano Reggiano during this annual event,” says Cathy Strange, Whole Foods Market global cheese buyer and past president of the American Cheese Society. “We are demonstrating the wisdom and expertise of 900 years of delicious cheesemaking with our own carefully-chosen wheels — produced only from spring and fall milk — that are aged for two years to bring out the best of Parmigiano Reggiano’s toasted, buttery and nutty flavors.”

Handcrafted by artisans in small batches in only one area of Northern Italy, Parmigiano Reggiano comes from cows grazing on green pastures with rolling hills in a cool climate. The raw milk cheese — lower in fat than many since it is made from partially skimmed milk – has a unique salty crystal crunch that forms when amino acids break down in the aging process.

To watch Whole Foods’ cheesemongers in action during last year’s crack off, visit youtube.com/watch?v=dCnAyvhrNTE.

Source: Whole Foods Market