Discover the 3 shocking benefits of Parmesan cheese.

Parmesan cheese is ideal to accompany a wide variety of recipes. Do you want to know more about its properties? Continue reading!

It is one of the products with a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). This indicates that,  according to the European Union regulation, only cheese produced under the specifications established by the production regulation can be considered Parmesan cheese.

In turn, this encompasses issues such as stable pastures and livestock used to extract milk. Do you want to know more about its properties?

Characteristics of Parmesan cheese

Parmesan has a characteristic strong flavor that some resemble that of walnut. It can be sweet, salty, and bitter at the same time. Its texture is grainy and the color varies from light yellow to dark yellow.

The recommended maturation is 12 months at rest. It is the last step in cheese making.

To do this, aspects such as temperature, humidity, and ventilation of the room are taken care of. Factors such as texture, flavor, and aromas depend on this phase.

The production of Parmesan cheese takes at least 12 months due to the maturation process it must undergo.

How is this cheese made?

It all starts with the coagulation of rennet, a group of enzymes used for solidification.

In this way, in the beginning, the cow’s milk begins to coagulate and the liquid serum begins to separate.

The latter is a fraction of milk that is made up of salt, water, fat, protein, lactose, and minerals.

When the curd forms, it must be cut into small pieces to expel more whey and reduce the moisture content.

Then, together with the whey, it is cooked at 55 degrees Celsius to further concentrate the curd and expel more whey.

When cooked, the cheese mass is obtained. The whey is drained from this and the residue is what will become cheese.

This is followed by knitting, the purpose of which is for the curd to continue to melt.

Once this is done, it goes through pressing, where external pressure is applied. At this point, a mold is used to form the wheels of the Parmesan.

Salting is the step before ripening. Allow the moisture in the preparation to reduce.

The wheels are submerged in saltwater or brine to absorb the salt. Then ripening begins.

Nutritional contributions of Parmesan cheese

100 grams of Parmesan cheese provide 1640 calories. The average amount of calories that should be consumed per day is 2000.

Regarding protein, it provides 35.75 grams. Of this nutrient, a person needs 0.8 grams per kilo of weight per day.

As for fat, it provides 25 grams of the 80 that are needed daily. In addition, it contains 68 milligrams of cholesterol, of the 300 recommended daily.

Benefits of Parmesan cheese

As stated in an article published in Food Technology and Biotechnology, Parmesan cheese has positive nutritional qualities for health.

Although its consumption should be moderate due to its calorie content, it can be consumed without regrets.

1. Does not contain lactose

Lactose is a type of sugar found in milk and dairy products. When ingested, lactase, an enzyme found in the intestine, converts it into sugars that the body needs for energy.

However, some people cannot digest this substance, as they are deficient in the enzyme.

Since much of the whey is removed during the manufacture of Parmesan cheese, it contains almost no lactose.

Therefore, it is often considered suitable for those people who are lactose intolerant.

2. Contributes to bone health

Parmesan contains 1159 milligrams of calcium per 100 grams of product, which helps support bone health.

Only 50 grams of this cheese covers 75% of the calcium requirement for adults; 60% of the recommended amount for children and 45% of what is recommended for women over 50 years of age.

99% of calcium is stored in the bones. When there is a deficiency of this mineral, conditions such as osteoporosis can appear.

3. Has high-quality protein

This cheese contains amino acids such as isoleucine, leucine, lysine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, methionine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and histidine, which are essential for the production of high-quality proteins. Plus, the protein in Parmesan is easy to digest.

Risks of ingesting Parmesan cheese

This cheese is high in sodium. High salt intake is associated with the development of problems such as high blood pressure or kidney failure. It contains 704 milligrams of sodium.

The World Health Organization states that you only have to eat 2 grams of sodium daily. In addition, in hypertensive patients, only one gram should be ingested.

Parmesan can be included in a wide variety of recipes. However, its consumption is not recommended in hypertensive or patients with kidney disease due to its sodium content.

Uses of Parmesan cheese

In the kitchen it is usually used for all kinds of sauces; also to flavor soups such as minestrone, fresh fruits, raisins, and nuts. It is also an aperitif accompanied by olive oil.

Recipe

Butter

White onion

Milk

Chicken breast without skin in cubes

Pasta

Cream cheese

Mushrooms

Parmesan

Salt and pepper

Instructions

In a large pot, melt the butter and sauté the onion until translucent.

Add the chicken cubes and put them to brown.

Then, add the milk and cream cheese, let it dissolve, and add the previously cooked pasta and Parmesan.

Cook for 12 minutes and add the chopped mushrooms.

What is there to remember?

Due to its content of essential nutrients, Parmesan cheese can be included in the framework of a healthy and balanced diet.

Still, it is essential to consume it in small quantities, in moderation.

Patients with heart or kidney disease should avoid it due to its sodium content. In these cases, it is better to consult your doctor first.