Parmesan sawdust

[graham]

There was a short item on a FoodTV program tonight about the production
of parmesan cheese, or parmazhan as they insist on calling it. This was
a N.American factory turning out the usual grated stuff that appears on
s/m shelves in little tubs and bears little or no resemblance to the
real Parmigiano Reggiano.
After grating they added cellulose, i.e., ground up wood fibre, to
prevent clumping.
There you have it! That's the reason for comparing the product to sawdust!
Graham

[Mike.. . . .]

Following a post by graham

Post by graham
usual grated stuff that appears on
s/m shelves in little tubs and bears little or no resemblance to the
real Parmigiano Reggiano.

I've seen grated parmesan and other cheese in shops, I think once
parmesan was once usually sold grated here, thankfully not now. I have
to wonder why anybody thinks pre grated is the way to buy cheese. As
for the wood........

[Tim C.]

Post by Mike.. . . .
Following a post by graham

Post by graham
usual grated stuff that appears on
s/m shelves in little tubs and bears little or no resemblance to the
real Parmigiano Reggiano.

I've seen grated parmesan and other cheese in shops, I think once
parmesan was once usually sold grated here, thankfully not now. I have
to wonder why anybody thinks pre grated is the way to buy cheese. As
for the wood........

It's convenient. Often cheaper that the cheese in blocks (it is here,
anyway). And you can buy it in smaller quantities that better fit your use.

[Mike.. . . .]

Following a post by Tim C.

Post by Tim C.

Post by Mike.. . . .
I've seen grated parmesan and other cheese in shops, I think once
parmesan was once usually sold grated here, thankfully not now. I have
to wonder why anybody thinks pre grated is the way to buy cheese. As
for the wood........

It's convenient

certainly, I suppose I should have said "why do people value
convenience over quality?" I don't get the quantity thing, surely a
bag of grated cheese deteriorates quicker than a piece of cheese and
you can buy small pieces of cheese?

[Stephen Wolstenholme]

On Tue, 15 Apr 2014 10:53:55 +0100, Mike.. . . .

Post by Mike.. . . .
Following a post by Tim C.

Post by Tim C.

Post by Mike.. . . .
I've seen grated parmesan and other cheese in shops, I think once
parmesan was once usually sold grated here, thankfully not now. I have
to wonder why anybody thinks pre grated is the way to buy cheese. As
for the wood........

It's convenient

certainly, I suppose I should have said "why do people value
convenience over quality?" I don't get the quantity thing, surely a
bag of grated cheese deteriorates quicker than a piece of cheese and
you can buy small pieces of cheese?

The last time I bought some Parmesan it was grated from a block while
I waited.

Steve

[Mike.. . . .]

Following a post by Stephen Wolstenholme

Post by Stephen Wolstenholme
The last time I bought some Parmesan it was grated from a block while
I waited.

'arrods?

[Stephen Wolstenholme]

On Tue, 15 Apr 2014 13:28:40 +0100, Mike.. . . .

Post by Mike.. . . .
Following a post by Stephen Wolstenholme

Post by Stephen Wolstenholme
The last time I bought some Parmesan it was grated from a block while
I waited.

'arrods?

Nope, it was at the Pesto Deli in Bramhall.

Steve

[Ophelia]

Post by Stephen Wolstenholme
On Tue, 15 Apr 2014 10:53:55 +0100, Mike.. . . .

Post by Mike.. . . .
Following a post by Tim C.

Post by Tim C.

Post by Mike.. . . .
I've seen grated parmesan and other cheese in shops, I think once
parmesan was once usually sold grated here, thankfully not now. I have
to wonder why anybody thinks pre grated is the way to buy cheese. As
for the wood........

It's convenient

certainly, I suppose I should have said "why do people value
convenience over quality?" I don't get the quantity thing, surely a
bag of grated cheese deteriorates quicker than a piece of cheese and
you can buy small pieces of cheese?

The last time I bought some Parmesan it was grated from a block while
I waited.

My mincer has grating/slicing attachments. Much easier to do your own.

[Stephen Wolstenholme]

On Tue, 15 Apr 2014 11:31:26 +0100, "Ophelia"

Post by Ophelia

Post by Stephen Wolstenholme
On Tue, 15 Apr 2014 10:53:55 +0100, Mike.. . . .

Post by Mike.. . . .
Following a post by Tim C.

Post by Tim C.

Post by Mike.. . . .
I've seen grated parmesan and other cheese in shops, I think once
parmesan was once usually sold grated here, thankfully not now. I have
to wonder why anybody thinks pre grated is the way to buy cheese. As
for the wood........

It's convenient

certainly, I suppose I should have said "why do people value
convenience over quality?" I don't get the quantity thing, surely a
bag of grated cheese deteriorates quicker than a piece of cheese and
you can buy small pieces of cheese?

The last time I bought some Parmesan it was grated from a block while
I waited.

My mincer has grating/slicing attachments. Much easier to do your own.

Yes but you are not including cleaning the mincer. My mincer has been
in a cupboard for years, unused and unloved because it needs to be
cleaned every time it's used.

Steve

[Ophelia]

Post by Stephen Wolstenholme
On Tue, 15 Apr 2014 11:31:26 +0100, "Ophelia"

Post by Ophelia

Post by Stephen Wolstenholme
On Tue, 15 Apr 2014 10:53:55 +0100, Mike.. . . .

Post by Mike.. . . .
Following a post by Tim C.

Post by Tim C.

Post by Mike.. . . .
I've seen grated parmesan and other cheese in shops, I think once
parmesan was once usually sold grated here, thankfully not now. I have
to wonder why anybody thinks pre grated is the way to buy cheese. As
for the wood........

It's convenient

certainly, I suppose I should have said "why do people value
convenience over quality?" I don't get the quantity thing, surely a
bag of grated cheese deteriorates quicker than a piece of cheese and
you can buy small pieces of cheese?

The last time I bought some Parmesan it was grated from a block while
I waited.

My mincer has grating/slicing attachments. Much easier to do your own.

Yes but you are not including cleaning the mincer. My mincer has been
in a cupboard for years, unused and unloved because it needs to be
cleaned every time it's used.

When I begin to cook, I always have a sink full of hot soapy water. I stick
stuff in as I have used them. The mincer/grater/slicer stuff just gets
dunked in and the cheese just melts off:) I use that piece of kit so
regularly, it has earned a permanent place on my counter:)

Remember too, I know exactly what cheese I am grating! No mystery meat
mince for me either.

[Tim C.]

On Tue, 15 Apr 2014 10:53:55 +0100, Mike.. . . . wrote in post :
<news:***@4ax.com> :
Either you have to queue up a the counter - which can take a while. Or you
go to the shelves and buy a pre-packaged wedge. Pre-grated is often in
smaller weights, and is cheaper.

I haven't looked (yet) to see if it contains sawdust.

In that US show, do you know if it was declared on the label as "separator"
or such?

[Mike.. . . .]

Following a post by Tim C.

Post by Tim C.
Either you have to queue up a the counter - which can take a while.
Or you go to the shelves and buy a pre-packaged wedge.

so 20C. Ocado stock over 20 types.

Post by Tim C.
Pre-grated is often in
smaller weights, and is cheaper.

looking at the prices you seem to pay quite a lot for the grating. The
very best is about £40 a kilo, supplied loose down to about £15 a kilo
for the cheapest plastic packed, grated falls between and I bet its
not made from the quality stuff.

[Tim C.]

Post by Mike.. . . .
Following a post by Tim C.

Post by Tim C.
Either you have to queue up a the counter - which can take a while.
Or you go to the shelves and buy a pre-packaged wedge.

so 20C. Ocado stock over 20 types.

Post by Tim C.
Pre-grated is often in
smaller weights, and is cheaper.

looking at the prices you seem to pay quite a lot for the grating. The
very best is about £40 a kilo, supplied loose down to about £15 a kilo
for the cheapest plastic packed, grated falls between and I bet its
not made from the quality stuff.

I'll have a check at the local Spar. iirc it was the same make.

[Mike.. . . .]

Following a post by Tim C.

Post by Tim C.
. iirc it was the same make.

there are different qualities within brands, some is aged longer etc.
Flakes of Ferrari something or other are £40 a K at Ocado.

[graham]

Post by Mike.. . . .
Following a post by graham

Post by graham
usual grated stuff that appears on
s/m shelves in little tubs and bears little or no resemblance to the
real Parmigiano Reggiano.

I've seen grated parmesan and other cheese in shops, I think once
parmesan was once usually sold grated here, thankfully not now. I have
to wonder why anybody thinks pre grated is the way to buy cheese. As
for the wood........

Another interesting fact was their way of aging the cheese. They just
exposed the blocks so that they would dry more efficiently during the
aging process - all of 3 months!!!!!
Graham

[Mike.. . . .]

Following a post by graham

Post by graham
all of 3 months

I'm sure that gives the same quality as 30!

[Ophelia]

There was a short item on a FoodTV program tonight about the production of
parmesan cheese, or parmazhan as they insist on calling it. This was a
N.American factory turning out the usual grated stuff that appears on s/m
shelves in little tubs and bears little or no resemblance to the real
Parmigiano Reggiano.
After grating they added cellulose, i.e., ground up wood fibre, to prevent
clumping.
There you have it! That's the reason for comparing the product to sawdust!

ewwwwww! Do they use that in those little tubs here, I wonder? I like to
buy it in a piece because I eat chunks off it:)