Parmesan Cheese? I don't think so.

[giddyup]

I picked up a container of what I thought was grated Parmesan cheese at Makro, my mistake I didn't see the word blended on the container, but all the ingredient percentages, only shown in Thai, list actual Parmesan as 1%, the rest is made up in milk powder, cassava and a few other things. It was around 200 baht and in the Parmesan cheese section, but this is so far removed from actual Parmesan that it's not funny. How do they get away with selling this crap?

[OneMoreFarang]

It not only Thailand.

I recently read this interesting article about Vanilla Ice-Cream without vanilla - in the UK

 

One in five vanilla ice-creams have no vanilla, cream or fresh milk

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2018/aug/27/one-in-five-vanilla-ice-creams-has-no-vanilla-cream-or-fresh-milk

 

[4evermaat]

Recommend going to a foreigner food supply store and buying a small block of Parmesan cheese. It will be fresher than any of the pre-grated stuff and the block can be kept in the freezer for months.  

 

You can grate as needed or grate extra and keep in the fridge. 

 

The bulk cheese is likely to be much cheaper anyway. So you'll save ฿฿ and get better taste. 

[bobbin]

no.. I think you have misread the label.

 

It's an American product and by law the largest ingredient is listed first.

 

[KittenKong]

8 minutes ago, bobbin said:

no.. I think you have misread the label.

It's an American product and by law the largest ingredient is listed first.

As far as I know that rule is the same in the EU also. In fact the Thai label seems to go a step further by indicating that the largest ingredient accounts for 63.7% of the whole.

[tifino]

Well!... I reckon I'd be a bit cheesed off...

[bobbin]

4 minutes ago, KittenKong said:

As far as I know that rule is the same in the EU also. In fact the Thai label seems to go a step further by indicating that the largest ingredient accounts for 63.7% of the whole.

I actually think that is a fairly low percentage (63.7%) of parmesan cheese but way more than 1%. 555

 

I bought another American brand of grated parmesan at Makro and noted the inclusion of powdered cellulose to prevent clumping, as they say. I would expect a product like this to be greater than 90% cheese.

 

Currently, I have been grating  blocks of Grand Padano Parmesan, but for ease of use I have no problem using pre-grated.

[KneeDeep]

2 minutes ago, bobbin said:

I actually think that is a fairly low percentage (63.7%) of parmesan cheese but way more than 1%. 555

 

I bought another American brand of grated parmesan at Makro and noted the inclusion of powdered cellulose to prevent clumping, as they say. I would expect a product like this to be greater than 90% cheese.

 

Currently, I have been grating  blocks of Grand Padano Parmesan, but for ease of use I have no problem using pre-grated.

 

It's Grana Padano. It is not Parmesan(Parmigano Reggiano). Some people just don't care. ?

[bobbin]

oh oh.. it absolutely is parmesan but not Reggiano.. maybe the next valley over.

 

This is that regional label business, as if a product can not be produced elsewhere.

 

But I know what you meant.  ?

 

 

[Jdietz]

"powdered cellulose"

 

We use the term 'Saw Dust' but I can see why marketing wants to come up with something more scientific sounding.

 

[giddyup]

37 minutes ago, KittenKong said:

As far as I know that rule is the same in the EU also. In fact the Thai label seems to go a step further by indicating that the largest ingredient accounts for 63.7% of the whole.

According to my Thai partner the 63.7% is listed as "pasteurised milk"

[giddyup]

27 minutes ago, bobbin said:

I actually think that is a fairly low percentage (63.7%) of parmesan cheese but way more than 1%. 555

 

I bought another American brand of grated parmesan at Makro and noted the inclusion of powdered cellulose to prevent clumping, as they say. I would expect a product like this to be greater than 90% cheese.

 

Currently, I have been grating  blocks of Grand Padano Parmesan, but for ease of use I have no problem using pre-grated.

Again, according to her (my partner) 63.7% is "pasteurised milk".

[CanuckThai]

Is it worse or better than the "Imperial" brand of shitty fake Parmesan?  

[bobbin]

1 minute ago, giddyup said:

Again, according to her (my partner) 63.7% is "pasteurised milk".

Hold on.. you are  asking a Thai about parmesan cheese? 555

 

What do you think cheese is made of?

[KneeDeep]

16 minutes ago, bobbin said:

oh oh.. it absolutely is parmesan but not Reggiano.. maybe the next valley over.

 

This is that regional label business, as if a product can not be produced elsewhere.

 

But I know what you meant.  ?

 

 

 

No. It absolutely is not.

 

 

 

[bobbin]

1 minute ago, KneeDeep said:

 

No. It absolutely is not.

 

 

 

ok..you want to throw down on this?

 

Tell every producer outside of that small area that they aren't making parmesan.

 

And do it without resorting to that EU  regional trademark bs.

[KneeDeep]

3 minutes ago, bobbin said:

Hold on.. you are  asking a Thai about parmesan cheese? 555

 

What do you think cheese is made of?

 

'Parmesan' is made with unpasteurised milk....smartypants.

[KneeDeep]

12 minutes ago, bobbin said:

ok..you want to throw down on this?

 

Tell every producer outside of that small area that they aren't making parmesan.

 

And do it without resorting to that EU  regional trademark bs.

 

Did you not note the differences in production, regardless of the name? I guess you would just prefer to argue, rather than looking at the facts.

 

I'm guessing that you are from the USA.... and haven't got a clue. A lot of crap food there and they want to send it over to Europe and the UK. No thanks.

 

Yes, we have standards in Europe; https://www.granapadano.it/en-us/grana-padano-and-parmigiano-reggiano-particular-aspects-and-specifications-v1.aspx

 

[Stocky]

"Redwood Farm"

 

I doubt it's been anywhere near a farm either.

[giddyup]

17 minutes ago, bobbin said:

Hold on.. you are  asking a Thai about parmesan cheese? 555

 

What do you think cheese is made of?

Pasteurised milk comes in bottles (or cartons) as well, it doesn't specify Parmesan cheese. Could be just powdered milk as far as I, or anybody else knows.

[KneeDeep]

2 minutes ago, giddyup said:

Pasteurised milk comes in bottles as well, it doesn't specify Parmesan cheese. Could be just powdered milk as far as I, or anybody else knows.

 

He's just trying to be funny, without actually being smart.

 

 

[marcusarelus]

17 minutes ago, Stocky said:

"Redwood Farm"

 

I doubt it's been anywhere near a farm either.

Good stuff and cheap.  I tried some.  Makro also sells block and wedge Parmeson.  I have some now and I grind it up in my food processor as I need it.  The expensive stuff smells more like old Pattaya underwear but that has an attraction too.  They have the wedges at Foodland. 

[giddyup]

6 minutes ago, marcusarelus said:

It's Australian.  Good stuff and cheap.  I tried some.  Makro also sells block and wedge Parmeson.  I have some now and I grind it up in my food processor as I need it.  The expensive stuff smells more like old Pattaya underwear but that has an attraction too.  They have the wedges at Foodland. 

Are you still talking about the "Parmesan" I pictured? Because Redwood Farm comes from the US.

[marcusarelus]

5 minutes ago, giddyup said:

Are you still talking about the "Parmesan" I pictured?

Sorry I read their website incorrectly it was not Australia but Wisconsin. If I'm reading it right this time.  Anyway, I liked the flavor of the stuff.

[giddyup]

1 minute ago, marcusarelus said:

Sorry I read their website incorrectly it was not Australia but Wisconsin. If I'm reading it right this time.  Anyway, I liked the flavor of the stuff.

Are you now talking about the grated stuff I pictured? Because, personally, it doesn't bear any resemblance to real Parmesan, in look or taste. If I was back home I'd be returning it for a refund.

[lopburi3]

It is a US made item and by law is as described (cheese is main ingredient).

 

http://www.bellapak.com/products.html

 

[marcusarelus]

1 minute ago, giddyup said:

Are you now talking about the grated stuff I pictured? Because, personally, it doesn't bear any resemblance to real Parmesan, in look or taste. If I was back home I'd be returning it for a refund.

I have real Parmesan in a jar that I grate.  It is whiter and has a more stinky smell (Thai description).  The Redwood stuff is a finer grind than I use and more of a yellow color.  I think Makro sells Stella.  Not sure.  Foodland has the Parmesan wedge from Italy.

[scottiejohn]

I am just getting all cheesed off by these pointless arguments which have  already passed you and my eyes and that just grate against the  toasting  under the grilling you lot are giving it.

I am Pasta any more Puns tonight!?

[giddyup]

1 minute ago, lopburi3 said:

It is a US made item and by law is as described (cheese is main ingredient).

 

On the container it only specifies "pasteurised milk" as being the main ingredient, not Parmesan cheese. Why not?

[lopburi3]

Just now, giddyup said:

On the container it only specifies "pasteurised milk" as being the main ingredient, not Parmesan cheese. Why not?

Thai translation issues?