The aroma of freshly baked pizza is almost irresistible. It’s a combination of melted mozzarella, a tomato sauce that’s sweet and salty, and the pungent smell of basil that tickles your senses.
What many people don’t know is that there are different types of parmesan cheese and not all of them are suitable for pizza.
You may have read somewhere on the internet or heard from someone that it is not advisable to use grated Parmesan cheese on your pizza because it will give it an ‘off’ taste.
But is this really true? Or is there more to it? In this article, we will examine what makes up grated Parmesan cheese, its various types, and why you shouldn’t use it on pizza at all – or only if you have a special kind available.
Top Summary
While grated Parmesan cheese is a common topping for pizza, experts warn that it’s not the best choice. Grated Parmesan cheese is best suited to savory dishes like pasta, soups, stews, and casseroles, as well as savory sauces like tomato sauce. It’s best to avoid using it on pizza as an ingredient because it will likely overpower the other flavors while taking away from the crunchy texture of the crust.
And there are other reasons why using grated Parmesan on pizza is not a good idea. For one thing, grated Parmesan cheese is frequently dusted with powdered milk and sugar to keep it from clumping.
This means that adding grated Parmesan cheese to your pizza could be high in calories and sugar if you don’t read the label carefully.
Furthermore, grated Parmesan cheese does not melt in the same way that shredded or sliced cheeses do, so there is no way to get it to adhere to the other toppings on your pizza.
With that being said there are some people who like parmesan on their pizza so we will provide options below.
What Is Grated Parmesan Cheese?
Parmesan cheese is a hard, granular cheese made from cow’s milk and has a nutty and slightly spicy flavor. It is one of the most popular and popularly available cheeses in the world, thanks to its versatility and ability to be used in both sweet and savory dishes.
When parmesan is sold in a pre-shredded form, it is known as “parmesan cheese” or “parmesan-style cheese”. It is widely used as a topping on pizzas, pastas, salads, soups, and other dishes. Parmesan is also commonly used in combination with other cheeses, such as cheddar, mozzarella, or blue cheese, for added flavor and texture.
Different Varieties of Parmesan Cheese
While many people search for ‘grated parmesan cheese’ in the grocery store, the two are not actually the same thing. In fact, not all varieties of parmesan cheese are suitable for grating. When you buy a parmesan cheese that is labelled ‘grated parmesan’, what you are actually getting is a different variety of the cheese.
The most common forms of parmesan in the grocery stores are as follows: – Fresh, unaged parmesan: Fresh, unaged parmesan is aged for a shorter period of time, usually around 3 months. It has a more delicate flavor and is best used as a finishing salt or grated over pasta dishes. It can be used on pizza but is not the best choice. – Aged parmesan:
Aged parmesan has a sharper, more pungent flavor. It is often used as a grated cheese for salads or pastas, but it is not recommended for pizza. – Romano parmesan: Romano parmesan is a hard, sharp cheese that is made from a combination of cow’s milk and sheep’s milk.
It has a bold, tangy, and salty flavor and is best used as a grated topping on pizzas. – Pecorino parmesan: Pecorino parmesan is made from sheep’s milk and has a slight nutty flavor. This variety of parmesan is best used as an aged cheese and is commonly used in Italian lasagnas and pizzas.
Can You Use Grated Parmesan Cheese On Pizza?
For the best results, use a hard and aged parmesan cheese; this will give you the right texture and flavor. However, as we have mentioned, not all varieties of parmesan cheese are suitable for grating and you might have a Romano variety at home. You cannot use this on pizza because it is very different from the grated parmesan cheese and will change the flavor and texture of your pizza.
Pros and Cons of Using Grated Parmesan Cheese on Pizza
The biggest advantage of using grated parmesan is that you can add as much or as little as you want. This is not true for fresh or Romano varieties, as you can only sprinkle as much as you can fit on the top of your pizza.
With grated parmesan, you can decide how much to use and add it to your pizza in several portions, if needed, with each portion being almost the same portion as fresh or Romano varieties.
Grated parmesan is also much easier to store than fresh or Romano varieties. It will stay fresh for a longer period of time and will not crumble like fresh parmesan does. This means you will not have to store it in an air-tight container and can use a simple shaker to sprinkle it on your pizza. For these reasons, grated parmesan is the best variety of cheese to use on your pizza.
Final Words: Should You Use Grated Parmesan or Fresh?
Parmesan cheese is a delicious topping for a variety of dishes; it can be used as a condiment or garnish to liven up your meal. But not all varieties are suitable for every dish and there are many factors to consider when deciding which one to choose.
When choosing which type of parmesan to buy, keep in mind what you plan on using it for. If you are planning on using it on your pizza, you can use grated parmesan as it will give you the same texture as fresh or Romano varieties.
For other dishes, such as pasta, salads, soups, or chili, fresh or Romano varieties are best. Parmesan cheese is a delicious and versatile topping, which can be added to many dishes for a burst of flavor. So the next time you’re faced with a decision about which type of parmesan to buy, keep in mind these factors and make the best choice for your dish.