Buying This Italian Cheese At Costco Is An Absolute Steal
Costco has a reputation for offering cheap but quality alternatives to high-priced items, but their in-house Kirkland Signature brand is a better steal for shoppers than they might realize.
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00:00Costco has a reputation for offering cheap but quality alternatives to high-priced items,
00:05but their in-house Kirkland Signature brand is a better steal for shoppers than they might realize.
00:10Considering the price of milk and the time and labor that goes into transforming and aging it,
00:15cheese doesn't exactly come cheap. Even cheese produced locally can be fairly pricey,
00:19let alone the likes of imported Italian Parmesan, known as Parmigiano-Reggiano,
00:24which enjoys the protected designation of origin status under Italian and European laws.
00:29It takes 131 gallons of milk and a year of aging to make just one 88-pound wheel of Parmesan,
00:35which perhaps explains why it typically comes with a $1,000 price tag. So a pound of Parmesan
00:40can make a pretty big dent in a grocery budget, with some cheesemongers charging close to $35
00:46for a wedge. This is where Costco's Kirkland Signature Parmigiano-Reggiano comes in as
00:51an excellent choice for Italian cheese on a budget. Priced at $10.99 for a pound,
00:56not only is it one of the cheaper Parmesan options on the market,
00:59but even America's Test Kitchen confirmed its excellent quality.
01:03Parmigiano-Reggiano's PDO status comes with stringent rules and a regulated manufacturing
01:08process, but there are no regulations as to what can be labeled and sold as Parmesan cheese in
01:13the United States, leading to tons of counterfeit Parmesan. According to FoodBeast, a decade ago,
01:19the FDA found that a Pennsylvania-based company was selling Swiss and cheddar
01:23cheese bulked up with wood pulp as 100% grated Parmesan.
01:27That's just shocking. That's disgusting.
01:29Something fishy is really going on here.
01:31But America's Test Kitchen confirmed that Costco's Parmigiano-Reggiano isn't bogus.
01:36Kirkland Signature's wedge of cheese is aged for two years and carries the PDO logo,
01:41which is why it's labeled as Parmigiano-Reggiano instead of simply Parmesan.
01:45A good Parmigiano-Reggiano is sprinkled throughout with little crunchy flecks of
01:49the amino acid tyrosine, providing a complex sweet and umami flavor with notes of fruit and nuts.
01:55Redditors also vouch for Costco's Italian cheese. A few years ago,
01:59shoppers falsely believed that Costco was discontinuing its Parmigiano-Reggiano wedges,
02:04and many hilariously called for a cheese riot against the wholesaler.
02:08Some even joked about stocking up on entire wheels of Costco's $950
02:12Parmigiano-Reggiano as an alternative because it was just that good,
02:16and it was even a quality investment. Considering its enthusiastic fan base and certified quality,
02:21Costco is a safe bet if you ever want to buy reasonably priced but legitimate Parmigiano-Reggiano.
02:27Costco's block of authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano is packed with flavor,
02:31ideal for incorporating richness and umami into a variety of dishes,
02:34without the heaviness and lactose load associated with fattier cheeses.
02:38If you thought cheese couldn't fit into your overall health goals,
02:41you may be pleased to know that it very likely can.
02:44Well, good news for cheese lovers.
02:45We're getting word eating a little bit every day is actually good for your health.
02:50While cheese is one of life's greatest pleasures, many cheeses aren't exactly
02:54beaming with nutrition. Because they can boast high levels of sodium and saturated fat,
02:58Livestrong says that eating too much of the wrong kind of cheese can increase your risk
03:02of cardiovascular distress, raise your cholesterol, and increase your blood pressure.
03:06Parmigiano-Reggiano is one of those cheeses which can be enjoyed without many of these worries,
03:11thanks to its low-calorie content and a few surprising health benefits.
03:15Parmigiano-Reggiano is an excellent source of protein. In an interview with Insider,
03:19registered dietitian-nutritionist Leah Silberman said that Parmigiano is one of the healthier
03:24cheese options available, not only for its high protein, but also thanks to its natural vitamins,
03:29minerals, and probiotics. Just a small amount of quality Parmigiano cheese can help you meet your
03:34daily protein intake, with one serving of Costco's Parmigiano-Reggiano offering 9 grams,
03:39or 18 percent of the daily value. Pair a few pieces with other high-protein
03:43foods like turkey and chicken, and you'll hit your protein goals in no time.