We used to be Costco members, but in a house of two, the cost for a monthly membership just wasn’t worth it. Our staples – toilet paper, paper towels, cases of tennis balls – were available elsewhere at similar prices. Treats – a giant bag of Pirate’s Booty, trail mix, peanut M&Ms – while I loved them all weren’t, to say the least, 100% necessary. There was one thing I wasn’t willing to give up, though: Kirkland Signature Parmigiano Reggiano.
We use a lot of Parmesan. From easy weeknight pasta with red sauce topped with a mound of freshly grated cheese, to creamy asparagus soup and crispy Parmesan croutons, to decadent baked chicken Parmesan, it’s truly in heavy rotation in our house.
Why I Love It So Much
For two reasons. First, the price is spectacular! At about $0.78 per ounce versus $1.70 per ounce at other major grocery stores, the price simply can’t be beat. And in specialty markets, the price can be even higher.
Secondly, the quality is excellent. Often referred to as “the king of cheeses,” true Parmigiano Reggiano is produced in the Parma and Reggio Emilia regions of Italy. The cheese was first made during the Middle Ages by monks who desired a cheese that had a long shelf life. Parmigiano Reggiano quality and production standards are monitored by an Italian organization named the Consorzio del Formaggio Parmigiano-Reggiano and also fall under the DOP (meaning Denominazione di Origine Protetta, literally “Protected Designation of Origin”) regulations that are overseen by the European Union.
Costco’s cheese has the mark of both of these organizations on the label, indicating its level of quality. This cheese also has all the attributes you want in a good Parmigiano Reggiano – dense and crumbly with the telltale crunchy amino acid crystals, and the flavor is fruity, slightly sweet and nutty all at the same time.
While there are cheeses that are labeled Parmesan or Parmezan, these do not fall under the strict regulatory guidelines and thus are often of inferior quality.
How to Store It
The one downside, though I don’t see it that way, is that the wedges at Costco typically weigh around 2 pounds each. Open cheese will last for about two months in the fridge, so if one can’t get through it that quickly, it’s still important to store it properly. The best way is to wrap the cheese in wax or parchment paper, then in aluminum foil. Avoid plastic wrap as it can hold in too much moisture, causing the cheese to mold. A shout out to my friends and coworkers who keep me well stocked in Costco Parmigiano Reggiano!!
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