"Grate-It-Fresh" news and stories

Stop what you're doing. Kraft is about to revolutionize the cheese industry with - are you ready? - parmesan cheese that comes in a ready-to-grate block form.

Shocking, I know.

The product, called Kraft Grate-It-Fresh Natural Parmesan Cheese, was actually first introduced last year at the 2006 Food Marketing Institute (FMI) Supermarket Convention, and was available at some east coast distributors as of last November. Now, much to the chagrin of those who like their parmesan cheese to be fresh and not prepackaged, it is now nationally available.

The "natural" cheese block is packed inside a disposable, plastic grater that utilizes a "clockwise twisting motion [to keep] the cheese in place" until ready to use. Kraft is promoting it as the perfect way "to bring the restaurant experience home... without the hassle of pulling out your grater." It is aimed at those who are looking to shave off those three seconds it takes to get out your own grater (a kitchen gadget that is so inexpensive and so handy that even dorm-dwelling college students own them) and use it with a fresh chunk of parmesan.

Kate, the Accidental Hedonist, noted the same thing when she reviewed this product just after its initial introduction and was not a fan. Others, however, liked its convenience and child-friendly usability, so there appears to be a market for the product. In the long run, a cheese grater (nondisposable) will run you less than $10. You can buy the Grate-It-Fresh in a 7oz. size for $4.99 and you'll have to pay for that disposable grater every time - and you'll still have to have a regular cheese grater at home for other uses.

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It was supposedly introduced on the East Coast this past summer but I never noticed it until a few days ago. Grate-It-Fresh Kraft Parmesan cheese comes inside its own disposable grater package. A 7 ounce block of "parmesan" cheese comes in a package where it rests on rotating grater so you can have that fresh grated Parmesan cheese experience. It's a great idea if only it was sold with real Italian Parmesan cheese, not Kraft's "American style" so-called "parmesan" which has much less aging time and flavor than the real deal from Italy. It's made with skim milk and the taste is comparable to termite droppings, yes termite droppings, because saying it tastes like sawdust would be an insult to deceased tress. This is pointed out in the many online reviews including this one from the Accidental Hedonist. I have to add that the price is $7.99 for 7 ounces. That comes out to $18.26 a pound. This is much more than the$11.99-16.99 a pound I pay for top of the line aged Parmesan. This is one product I give a hearty No Way In Hell! Unless you LIKE that over-priced, fake, grated cheese substitute in the green cardboard tube? Me, I'll take a hunk of 18-24 month old, imported Italian Parmesan Reggiano or Pecorino Romano cheese and grate it the old fashion way, by hand, and get all the taste of the real thing. That way I won't be adding more disposable containers to our landfills and also, No termite droppings for me.

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