The Story of Cheese

When we arrive in our new accommodation, whether it be for a few days or a month, we always begin by taking photos of the home and inventorying. Each home can be vastly different in what they provide (toilet paper, shampoo, dish soap, cleaning products, etc.) and we always hit the grocery store within 24 hours of arrival. Sometimes, we are surprised by hosts who leave a bottle of water or wine in the fridge, or a basket of nibbles (crackers, jam, Nutella, etc.). When we arrived in Parma, Italy, we were bowled over by the gift left by the hosts. Not only did they make our stay the most comfortable and welcoming of all stays to date, but their gift naturally merged into our way of living and way of thinking. Let us tell you about…CHEESE…

“At Carlo&Dany, every detail is designed to tell the story of the territory. Among these, one of the most authentic and symbolic gestures is the homage to a piece of Parmigiano-Reggiano.

“It’s not just a cheese: It is a concentration of culture, tradition, and passion. We love to say ‘This is not just a piece of Parmigiano; it is a piece of our land.”

“Each flake contains the patient and skilled work of those who, for centuries, have passed down an extraordinary art. Behind that unique flavor there is a long story that starts from the cows that graze peaceful on the Emilian hills, feeding on natural fodder, and reaches the cheesemakers who, with ancient and precise gestures, transform the milk into a wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano. In the silence of dedicated environments, the cheese rests for at least 12 months, but often much longer. Every day, time enriches the flavor, making it complex, fragrant, and unmistakable.

When we offer this piece of Parmigiano to our guests, we want to share something more than an excellent gastronomic product: we want to help them discover a symbol of the care, the love for the territory and the bond with our roots. This is why the Parmigiano Reggiano we offer you is so special: it is the flavor of a story to live and remember.”

This story was written by the hosts Carlo&Dany. Reading it for the first time produced deep emotion for us because this was the reason we chose Parma as our destination for a month. We believe in protecting the land and the old traditions of food making. For example, a good Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese is aged 2 years and contains only 3 ingredients: Salt, Milk, and Rennet. It saddens us to see farms die in America and corporations automatize food into unrecognizable substances. We ate a lot of authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese while we loved seeing the human production of this beautiful cheese. Next time you are in your local market, look for a small sample of the authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. If ever in Italy, these food tours are a must-see! Caio!