Why Do Americans Call Parmesan Cheese ‘Parmeghan’?

The term ldquo;Parmesanrdquo; for the popular cheese variety often creates confusion among cheese enthusiasts. Letrsquo;s explore the linguistic and culinary origins of this name and how it has evolved over time in different regions.

The Standard Italian Adjective ldquo;Parmigianordquo;

It is important to note that the standard Italian adjective for the city and province of Parma is ldquo;parmigianordquo;. This term is used to refer to the cheese across most of Italy. However, there is one exception: the region of Reggio Emilia also produces cheese that goes by the name of Parmigiano-Reggiano, which explains why they might get upset if you omit their name.

The Evolution of the Cheesersquo;s Name

The cheese first attracted the attention of the mainstream Anglophone culinary world through French cuisine. This is because French cuisine, which was socially dominant in the Western world for centuries, adopted the local dialect version of the name rather than the standardized modern Italian form. The standardized form of the name ldquo;pramzànrdquo; only came into use in the late 19th century.

Adoption in the United States

In the United States during the 20th century, many Italian immigrants, primarily from areas far from Parma, had encountered the cheese known as ldquo;parmigianordquo;. When they brought their traditions to America, they adopted a hybrid pronunciation, which led to the term ldquo;parmesanrdquo; becoming more common in the U.S. Thankfully, this pronunciation is not universal; most people in the U.S. pronounce it as ldquo;par meh zahnrdquo;.

Regulation and Authenticity

True Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese is protected by Italian law and can only be produced in specific regions. If you see the words ldquo;Parmigiano-Reggianordquo; on the cheese rind, it means the product was produced in Italy and comes from Bologna, Mantua, Modena, or Parma. This cheese aged for at least 12 months is considered authentic.

However, in the U.S., the term ldquo;parmesanrdquo; is not regulated. What you buy as ldquo;parmesanrdquo; may not be the genuine cheese. According to Forbes, most U.S. versions are imitations and may lack the complexity and flavor of the authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano. In fact, some ldquo;vegan parmesanrdquo; is made by blending cashews, macadamia nuts, nutritional yeast, and salt.

Britain and the EU Regulations

In contrast, in the UK, real Parmigiano-Reggiano is labeled as such, and ldquo;parmesanrdquo; is used as a generic term for imitation cheeses that mimic the flavor of Parmigiano-Reggiano. This misleading labeling is regulated by the EU, which the UK is still following as of 2020. Therefore, the people in the UK are less likely to mispronounce the term ldquo;Parmigianordquo; due to the clear labeling laws.

This article aims to clarify the pronunciation and authenticity of Parmigiano-Reggiano and how it has been adapted and perceived in different parts of the world, specifically in the United States and the UK. Understanding these nuances can enhance the culinary experience and knowledge for all cheese enthusiasts.