The Italians must be pissed.
The European Court Justice ruled that Germany can keep calling that hard, salty, crumbly cheese often grated on top of pasta and pizza "parmesan." Italy and the European Commission had filed suit against Germany for labeling their non-Italian-made cheese as Parmesan even though it had not been made in the Italian region of Parma.
Wait, I'm pretty sure that the grated "Parmesan" they sell in those green-topped plastic bottles at the grocery store for $2.99 isn't from Parma either.
A fraking amazing Battlestar Galactica cake
Iced Tea 101
Pierogies + cheese + onions + kraut = Parmageddon!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-27-2008 @ 1:44PM
Cheese-er said...
True, but the stuff in green containers in the grocery store is pronounced Par-meeeee-seeeee-an.
In Germany it's Parmesanken.
Reply
2-27-2008 @ 2:42PM
Ines said...
The diference is that the European Court can regulate what Germany does (Parmesan is a protected designation of origin) but not what kraft does here in America. The green plastic bottle at 2.99 is not from Parma (or Italy) and is not aged 12 months. Acording to Wikipedia is an American imitation.
Reply
2-27-2008 @ 3:57PM
Pim said...
Not sure what your source is but it's wrong, actually.
The EU High Court ruled in favored of Italy, which argued for the extension of the existing protection on the name Parmigiano Reggiano to the name Parmesan as well. Cheese makers in Germany will no longer be allowed to label their product Parmesan.
As the BBC pointed out, the ruling is hardly surprising, the entire European Union is fearful of cheap imports and fakes made abroad, and therefore more inclined to rule in protection the source of origin. Today it's Italy against Germany, tomorrow it might be France against China.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/feb/26/italy.germany
Reply
2-27-2008 @ 3:59PM
Pim said...
oops....that should be "in favor of Italy"
Reply
2-27-2008 @ 10:18PM
Big John said...
I don't like posts like this from Slashfood. Little bit too "my choice of food is soooo much than yours" to make it a fun place to read.
Reply
3-02-2008 @ 6:19AM
rightwingprof said...
Since no Italian cheese is sold under the name Parmesan, I fail to see what the fuss is about.
Reply