google spits this out:
The production and sale of Parmigiano-Reggiano is strictly monitored by the D.O.C., an Italian government agency that was created to ensure that the integrity of native cheeses is maintained. Under D.O.C. regulations, a wheel of Parmesan must weigh at least 66 pounds and have been aged for no less than 14 months (although most are aged for about two years). Thus, asking for fresh Parm is akin to requesting raw cookies—you can have raw cookie dough, but the name ‘cookies’ means that they have been cooked.




it still sounds miles better though.
( rachelswipe with a fork, Fri 11 Feb 2011, 13:57, Reply)