I came across an 8-ounce jar of this Antolina Grated Parmesan Cheese a month ago at a local discount grocery store, for $2.99, and thought I’d try it out. I’d never before heard of this brand. But my trepidation over trying such a “discount” brand product as this however, proved to be unfounded. It’s delicious, as you feel like you’re eating real Parmesan cheese. While it does contain anti-caking agents corn flour and cellulose, I did not taste these in the least. This is a decent product that I’d definitely buy again.
The label says that they age this product over ten months. Presumably, the longer that Parmesan cheese sits around, the better it tastes. Ten months therefore, would seem to be a proper aging period as this cheese really does taste cheesy good. However, do not just let it sit for years in your pantry, as it can dry out. When they age it, manufactures take special steps during aging to keep the cheese moist.
Benefits, Pros, Advantages, and Features
- At roughly $2.99 per 8-ounce jar, Antolina Parmesan cheese is a reasonably-priced yet tasty flavoring. It’s roughly fifty cents per jar cheaper than Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese, yet tastes just as good according to my taste buds.
- The jar comes with a sprinkle-or-dump top that makes dispensing this Parmesan cheese easy.
- This product contains 25 calories per tablespoon; which is a typical amount for grated Parmesan cheese products in general. It’s slightly higher than Kraft however, which has 20 calories per tablespoon.
- This Parmesan cheese keeps for many months on the shelf (or in the refrigerator once you open it) Keeping it cool, dry, and closed is key. It’s great to stock pile. However, the label instructs to refrigerate this cheese after purchase. So it may not keep as long in a merely cool storage area as other products like this I’ve tried. Yet I kept mine for a month or so outside of the refrigerator prior to opening, and it still tasted great.
- The anti-caking agents (cellulose and corn flour) work well to prevent caking in this product. I observed no caking whatsoever throughout the jar.
- This grated cheese has a hard, granular texture that resembles the thicker grains of organic sugar. While this is harder than the finer granules found in the Kraft Parmesan cheese product, this texture is more true-to-form to the hardness of actual Parmesan cheese.
- Antolina Grated Parmesan Cheese does not easily melt in hot pasta. I don’t mind however, as melted Parmesan cheese can be a real bear to clean from silverware and dishes. I’d rather it not melt actually.
Disadvantages, Cons, Problems, and Concerns
- I’ve not found this product anywhere except in Gabriel Brothers discount store near here. I’ve never seen this regional brand at Wal Mart.
- Be aware that this cheese product contains 85 MG of sodium per 1-tablespoon serving, which can add up to several hundred milligrams when you add enough to season a large plate of spaghetti. So those watching blood pressure should consume this dairy condiment with restraint.
- Indeed, this food has some undesirable additives (like the preservatives and the salt). However, the list of ingredients is short (only six ingredients, including milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, powdered cellulose, and potassium sorbate). So it does not appear to be overly processed beyond the typical processing required to make milk into Parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
Parmesan cheese (made from pasteurized cow’s milk, culture, salt, and enzymes). Corn flour and cellulose (added to prevent caking), and potassium sorbate (added to protect flavor).
Nutrition Facts
- Serving size: 1 tablespoon. Servings per container: about 45.
- Calories: 25. Calories from fat: 15.
- Total fat: 2 grams, 3% DV.
- Saturated fat: 1 gram, 5% DV.
- Trans fat: 0 grams.
- Cholesterol: 5 milligrams, 2% DV.
- Sodium: 85 milligrams, 4% DV.
- Total carbohydrate: 0 grams, 0% DV.
- Dietary fiber: 0 grams, 0% DV.
- Sugars: 0 grams.
- Protein: 2 grams.
- Vitamin A: 0% DV.
- Calcium: 10% DV.
- Vitamin C: 0% DV.
- Iron: 0% DV.
Product Rating
Over all, I find this Parmesan cheese truly excellent tasting and would recommend that you incorporate it permanently into your pantry. The below-average price as well as the non-melting property make this an ideal pasta condiment on my table. I’d rate it thus at 95 out of 100.
Where To Buy Antolina Grated Parmesan Cheese
Look for this product at Gabriel Brothers discount stores in PA and surrounding states, in the dark green-labeled plastic jar with the white print. It has a bright green cap also.
This product is made by Antolina Foods of Jeannette, PA. It may taste so good because it has a short distance to travel to reach my table, which is also here in PA. I’m not sure how widely this product is distributed. So you may have trouble locating some in your area.
References
Revision History
- : Adjusted category and tag assignments, fixed typos, and added whitespace.
- 2012-06-07: Originally published.