Costco vs Whole Foods Parmigiano Reggiano - Are They Worth The Price?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.พ. 2024
- Can you find good Parmigiano Reggiano in American grocery stores? Are they even worth the small slices and high prices?? let's put Costco and Whole Foods to the test and see which is the best!
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I love how much he concentrates on the food. These kinds of vids would be great, maybe Whole Foods vs Costco vs Trader Joe’s. Who has the best chips, canned food, frozen food, ice cream, etc of their own brands and similar type. Could have an Italian slant like salamis or most creative frozen dinners, best deals, freshest meats, etc.
Thank you and please keep making these videos. I am moving to the USA from Europe soon and I am quite a foodie. After travelling and also going through life changing reconstructive surgery in Italy I have come to highly appreciate the country, it’s people and food! Italians are so passionate abt the good things in life. Alessio keep spreading the joy and pride of authentic Italian food! Grazie Mille.
I will always trust Alessio's opinion when it comes to food
Grazie ❤️
Me too
Same! He was breathing thru that cheese! Thats how you do it!👍
Ah, but most Italians don't trust it because of how it disrespects diversity in recipes and families. Fun fact Did you know that Wisconsin, the United States, actually makes the most authentic to the original version? But hey, I'm not sure you will find him crediting an Italian immigrant to America here for being the ones to actually carry forward the several centuries old recipe. They like to visit restaurants established by Immigrant families and make statements like "thats not Italian" which earned them quite a bit of disrespect within many communities.
The guy literally made a claim Italians dont use garlic in their sauce when in fact Southern Italy and Northern Italy make sauce different. Hint one leaves garlic in their sauce lol. But honestly it's preference too.
Its like eating 5 different mexican women's Mexican rice or Tamales and claiming "thats not mexican" cause it doesn't match your recipe.
It's unbecoming actually as most should be smart enough to know everyone varies on recipes.
They had 0 clue about Ragu being owned, created, operated by an Italian immigrant family and attempted to act like it was created by some random American. I mean I can go on but ask some Italians you will see the opinions you get.
Either he's truly oblivious and relying on her to give him facts and insulting people blindly or he just thinks so highly of himself he runs around insulting others like he's the only Italian man.
Oh and I likely wouldn't buy either of those cheese personally. I would also never attempt to compare store brands as authenticity as they are generally copied anyway but for anyone looking at those 2 brands it could be helpful. Or you could actually try it for yourself.
Like store brand sauces one can say is likely not Italian created(though the recipe could be) vs. say Ragu a recipe from the very Italian Assunto Cantisano and Giovanni, both Italian immigrants to the US.
But hey this guy decided Ragu isn't Italian as if he gets to take away the heritage and birth place of the creator of Ragu lol.
Personally I make my own sauce as I have a big garden.
@@tqueen7131 I'm not going to read that novel. From your comments on this page, you seem like a downer. Don't be a downer. I said I trust his opinion because he picks what tastes good.
I'm Italian (yes, born and lived there) and I prefer the Kirkland brand's parmigiano! Also, if you look at the packaging, the label states it's actually made in Italy!
Quick question where in the world carries the only authentic to the original Parmigiano? Let's see if you as an Italian know the answer. Feel free to even check with Italys very own Food scholar Alberto Grandi on this one lol.
If we are going to talk about authenticity of Parmegiano well let's do it. But I'm going to tell you Nowhere in Italy has the authentic Parmigiano anymore but You can find it in the US.
@@tqueen7131what brand is "authentic" in your opinion? I am located in europe and I order directly from the caseificio
I don't actually need italian cheese, i just want good cheese
@@MS-sd1uz According to Italys expert Alberto Grandi who researches all recipes and tracks down their history the Version in Wisconsin is the only authentic to the original recipe left. This is because a family from Parma immigrated to the US bringing the process and recipe with them. This isnt to say the version in Italy isnt good but Authentic wise it's not authentic to the original recipe. I say get what you like.
Cheeses are usually made by families and so sure it makes sense if the family who made it in Italy prior to immigrating left Italy they would carry that recipe with them.
And to Note the US based company has made a statement they think Both versions are great. They kept it classy despite knowing they were the only authentic makers left. So to see constant videos of this guy holding up Cheez whiz (not even cheese) or snubbing Italians restaurants in America as Not Italian is unnerving. America pays such a homage to the Italian Immigrants who helped shape this Country it's a shame some Italians make money off visiting their restaurants to talk badly of them. They came here poor to make a life and sent so much back home including recipes. And they are humble.
So I listened to you guys, and I bought a $15.83 chunk of cheese. So glad I did it! I was so surprised that something made out of milk can develop such a wonderful, nutty flavor. I am grateful to you guys, for educating me about good food. Love to y’all. ❤
Love it! Do a few more of these, but next time do blind tasting. It's always so interesting to see what people think when they can't see the appearance of the product or branding and cant feel the product. The more inexpensive product often wins out when we aren't hampered by expectations.
Love your videos! Found your page by accident and I can't get enough! Thank you for sharing with us
My elderly Italian friends who immigrated from Calabria to the States find the Costco PR acceptable as well. Thanks Alessio!!😊
My Italian Uncle(My Aunts husband) finds Wisconsin version acceptable truly you aren't going to learn from this guy he insults many Italians on the day to day.
If you are that curious about the real history of it maybe look it up. I bet you will be surprised when you read the only places in the world where it remains to the original authentic version.
Parma changed the original recipe bit the person who brought it to America brought the original authentic Version. To this day its what's here in the US and called Wisconsin style.
I bet you just love their videos tearing down New York Pizza shops as "not italian" ah but wait till you learn where Pizza came from and where the very first pizza place ever was opened. It's New York btw. Most in Italy albeit some Southern Italy homes didn't have a single clue what Pizza was.
Yes there's Alessio and his wife in videos talking down on those long standing Italian ran restaurants in New York who were the actual pioneers of what Pizza is.
But hey do you trust an actual Scholar on Italian food from Italy or this random Guy in the internet who runs around calling other Italians foods "not Italian?
Alberto Grandi. Let him school you on it. He is literally Italys scholar on their foods.
Tiramisu for example does not come from Italy neither does Carbonera but they were created by Italians but Italians in America.
How is he going to sit in Italy an knock foods taken from America to Italy by Italian Americans as "not right"? If he's going to make these videos he should research what he's actually speaking on.
@@tqueen7131the thing is Italians eat all those contemporary foods you mentioned in and therefore feel it is appropriate for them to give an opinion. There is no such comparison for PR cheese in Wisconsin.
I did this exact test a couple of months ago after feeling disappointed about Costco‘s Parmesan Reggiano. I wonder if it was Whole Foods packaging but I felt like I got more nutty flavors and the consistency was firmer than the Costco brand. Regardless, loved the content. Keep it up!
Just confirmation that I was buying the right one! Thanks Alessio!
Do a blind taste test next time. Love this man!
Whole Foods carries a few different versions of Pecorino Romano. Fulvi, Mitica and my personal favorite Locatelli. I would love to see him try all 3. I think the best way is on a slice of pizza or a meatball.
Interesting, I might buy the Costco brand. Thanks for the review 🙏🏽
Thank you I’ve wondered about Costco.
I am so glad he chose Costco, it is my favorite too!
Vac sealing really works.
Whole Foods used to host an annual Parmigiano Reggiano “Crack Off” where customers could watch them break open wheels. I happened upon the event one year & truly enjoyed the generous samples of freshly opened Parm given out afterwards.
Very good video! Love the comparison from an educated palate. Just, please talk price/pound for ease of comparison. Maybe add a choice from Wegman's? (I buy mine from Costco!)
I stopped the video to say I love COSTCO wholesale and business center
So I was right in my guess 👍🏻
Good to know because there is not a Whole Foods in my area, but there is a Costco.
Near my hometown in Brazil they make parmesan that tastes so good. My taste buds are not refined enough to distinguish between it an DOP pamigiano regiano. It is that good.
I grabbed some Vacche Rosse Parmigiano Reggiano from Bologna and it’s nutty and spicy and it crumbles. I put the rind in my bolognese and it added such depth to my carbonara I can’t go back
Parmiggiano Reggiano ages from the outside in. So pieces closer to the rind with taste better than pieces closer to the center. I remember from an America's Test Kitchen video.
My boyfriend gets tips from watching all these videos of yours, he's a proud American Italian hehe
I just recently found your channel. Do you know if you will ever go back to doing Livestreams? Enjoyed listening to some of your old Livestream video recordings.
Our family has been buying the Coscto one for years!!
they will also taste differently in pasta/sauce. also whole food's one was just opened while Costco's visually was already open for some time and lost extra water
U gotta take Alessionto Wisconsin and try cheese. Mars Cheese Castle has soo many cheeses
Awesome video I love Costco PR cheese!!! You gotta love the price can you please do an Costco 100% Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil review please I wanna know opinion of an Italian
Thank you for sharing this. I have been buying the Costco one and was just wondering today if it was the best and worth the price. I will keep buying it. 🎉
If you been buying that brand and enjoying it wouldn't that mean it was worth it? I mean I don't use that brand but such a weird thing like "oh I been buying it but suddenly wondered"
Thank you more like this would be fantastic.✌️❤️🙏✝️
More to come!
i love both places, but i think i'll go to costco based oon your info! also what are the names/specs of the cheese, yes they're Parmigiano Reggiano; but was the key differences? i can't tell from the packaging
The difference is The only place in the world that has authentic Parmigiano is Wisconsin. Don't believe me Italys own food scholar attests to it. Buy what you enjoy.
“Today we gonna confrontation…”
I’m here for it.
Thanks for the great vids as usual. I am a little confused and would love to understand more - if they are both parmigiano Reggiano DOP they are both from Italy and both from specified producers? Would the variation in flavor then come down to the producers of the cheese in Italy? Does the Costco vs Whole Foods then come down to which producer they are buying from?
Sounds like that's the case.
ive heard depending on what side of a hill, season and region a cow grazes on can make a difference in the taste bc they do it in such small batches
Thanks for this! Have you found anything better than Costco's version?
Costco is good in most things the little Air Fryer in the background I getting a big one for my place has no Oven so i getting a Smart Oven Air Fryer that works as an Oven too 14 pond turkey can be cooked in one
I think a blind taste test would work better in most cases, I love the video though!
Whew!!!! I’m glad he said Costco because that’s what I ALWAYS buy. I trust his opinion 100% 👍🏽
Costco is good. Wegmans is really good too. Got to be there once when wegmans cut a huge wheel. It was cool and tasty. Really like wegmans and miss them where I am now. Great grocery store.
Publix has one that is imported from Italy.🇮🇹 They have several other ingredients that are made in Italy, including Mozzarella and tomatoes, so I was able to make lasagna that was a big hit at my last party.
Interesting 😮😊
I've tried Costco's 'Kirkland Signature Pecorino Romano Cheese', but it's not as good as Locatelli Pecorino Romano that might be available in larger supermarkets -- or specialty Italian markets. Yet, Locatelli is said to be inferior to Sini Fulvi Pecorino Romano, but I haven't been fortunate enough to find this Italian brand. ATK did a comparison test of their own and picked Boar's Head as their top choice - over Locatelli and Sini Fulvi, and recommended Zerto as a best buy. I think I should be able to find Boar's Head, but not likely the other Italian brands.
Even though you didn't prefer it, can you identify the brand of Whole Foods' Parmigiano Reggiano? That's half the battle when choosing good ingredients.
What do you think about Whole Foods grated ?
Where, what state is charging taxes on food??
Whole foods iiiiiis tasty. My local one has tres leches cake and its to die for truly ❤
My favorite is Locatelli Pecorino Romano! They have it Costco hiding in the corner...lol
I lot of people like that, but it's made from sheep's milk though, so not truly comparable to Parmigiano Reggiano. Just saying...
So you can cook pasta with pecorino! You can make carbonara and amatriciana scratching it on the top at the end. But please, don't use cream😄 and onion.
Love this, but what is dop?
It stands for some kind of official authentication by some group in Italy that allows the cheese to be called Parmagiano Regiano (that is my really rough explanation, probably got something wrong!)
Here is some text copied from a website: “The Italians have their own way of guaranteeing fromaggio lovers that their cheese is of the highest quality. A cheese awarded the DOP is most special DOP stands for “Denominazione di Origine Protetta”, which means Protected Designation of Origin. Similar to the AOC, the DOP guarantees that the milk of the cheese and production are on a certain location in Italy. Also, the Denominazione di Origine Protetta insure the methods of production must be traditional, and have fixed storage guidelines to ensure that the cheese age correctly. It is mark of optimal quality and high standards.”
I bought Whole Foods ones right in time they were cutting it, but for me taste just like the same as the ones that are already in package, I agree texture and freshness they won, but flavor Costco has more parmigiano flavor.
Hmh! Interesting!
I’m just wondering why the microwave has been covered lately? Did y’all say something and I missed it?
I'll bet it reflects Jessi recording.
I am a gouda snob after I discovered what real gouda taste like! Was wondering if you know of a good place to shop for that too...
You can probably ask at the cheese station for them to cut a fresh wedge for you.
I’d like to know what cheeses you actually buy for yourselves, when you don’t have any from Italy. If they ever is the case, of course 😊
Question, is the cheese labeled as to how long aged? I read somewhere that it's not truly good cheese till after 2 years.
I don’t shop at Whole Paycheck, but the Costco is labeled as being aged 24 months; you can see it in the video. Her saying “in theory” presumes they could be lying, but that would also presume it could be fake Parmesano Reggiano as well.
@@trekkerussI mean parma in Italy isn't authentic and Italys food scholar will tell you that lol. The only true to the actual authentic recipe of Parmigiano is in Wisconsin United States brought Here by Italian Immigrants. Parma itself has changed their recipe even. I find nothing wrong with an evolved recipe but I find it wrong people are being led to believe the authentic one is in Parma when Italy itself knows thats not true and attests to that.
Alberto Grandi is the Italian food scholar. Yes he holds a degree. Italy takes food serious and he attests to this fact.
I just looked it up Costco Parmesan is sourced from Italian Formaggi Zenetti.
We plan on going to Parma to go to a farm that makes Parmesan. And get the full tour. Where would you suggest other places for good family restaurants in Italy anywhere from Milan to Naples. For best food and not touristy
Well, if you want Authentic Parma why go there? Their recipe isn't authentic and changed. In fact according to Italy and it's own food scholar the only place that kept the authentic recipe is Wisconsin. If you have an actual interest in the very old recipe thats hundreds upon hundreds of years old start there.
Anywhere serving Tiramisu, Carbonera and In the North, Pizza would be touristy lol as those were foods made in the USA by Italians /Italian Americans and carried back to Italy at some point.
But Italy does have its own great recipes too but many this guy claims came from there absolutely did not or isn't authentic there anymore such is the case for Parma
@@tqueen7131 I’m talking about Parmesan reggiano.
@@tqueen7131 Parmigiano Reggiano cheese gets its name from the Italian regions of production: Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, Bologna, and Mantova.
Parmigiano Reggiano is a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) cheese in the European Union, which legally requires the cheese to be produced in certain regions of northern Italy in order to be labeled as Parmigiano Reggiano.
What is the name of this restaurant in your video?
idk about whole foods but the costco one is imported from italy
Where is this place?
You need to get cheeses from various stores and one from an actual cheese shop. Maybe this warrants another trip to Arthur Avenue 😂
Depends where you live. Before 2020 I could find good cheeses but since the only Italian family restaurant and their cheese and pasta store closed very limited what is available. Living in state where fried foods and BBQ reins, ouch.
@@jakesbel8237 that's so sad you need to move up to the northeast. 😊 Lots of good Italian foods up here in CT. 😊
That's why I said it would be a really good opportunity for them to go back up to Arthur avenue in New York City. 😊
It's sad you guys are on here speaking on Italian Parma and don't know that the only place in the world where it's still available in its original authentic form is US in fact Wisconsin. Maybe try actually looking up food scholars in Italy where you can learn where to find authentic foods and btw which are truly Italian and which were made in America by Italians first such as Carbonera, Tiramisu and the first pizza place came in New York. Pizza was not ever even heard of by most of Italy until then lol.
Not even Parma itself uses the authentic Parmigiano recipe anymore. That is only used in the US per Italy itself.
@@ginamarandino6451I agree but they did nothing but insult so many Italians in the US. Honestly my Aunts husband hates me watching them ever since his Garlic comment. I sadly keep trying to give them chances.
He literally phoned his grandma in Italy about that one because like the US Southern Italy and Northern Italy have varied food styles. And his grandma who indeed lives in Italy puts Garlic in her sauce and leaves it in her sauce. He felt insulted for his grandma and people.
I've seen them say "Thats not Italian" not even bothering to learn that the foods he was speaking on were literally made in America first by Italian immigrants who's very restaurants they stood in insulting as "not italian" as if
I just am not sure many Italians in US want him near their Restaurants.
Nothing like them calling the very Italian immigrant creator of Ragu American when the recipe is her family recipe from Italy. Or calling Pizza in America "not Italian" lol Pizza wasn't even heard of through most of Italy until after 1950 and the very first pizza place was opened in New York. But there he stood in those very New York shops insulting them as "not italian"
He cant be bothered to learn that even in Italy its known only 1 place in the world has Authentic Parma and thats Wisconsin US who has used the same many hundreds of years old recipe according to Italys own food scholar even.
Whoever watches these videos please don't snub noses at restaurants Here in the US ran by Italian families due to his videos. Give them a chance on your own and decide if you like it.
I'm so sorry that I opened up a giant can of worms here that was not my intent. In terms of sauces.... Every chef has their own twist and that goes for Italian chefs as well. My grandma's recipe had garlic in it, but not as much as I do. Personally I just love garlic. But I've also had sauces without a lot of garlic and I love those as well.
I agree with another one of the replies that pizza was in first invented in the United States, and yet again every chef creates differently so it's really personal preference truthfully, but bad Pizza is bad Pizza no matter where you go. 😂
In terms of cheeses it really depends on who's making the cheese, that's why I suggested maybe going back up to New York because down in Tennessee I can't imagine you would have the best selections. Actually I would love to see them go up to New England because Connecticut and Massachusetts are full of Italians and all have their own unique spins on food and it's all delicious!!! I made a suggestion a long time ago when they were thinking to move to New York that they should move to Fairfield county Connecticut because it's a quick train ride to the city whenever they want to go there and there's a million Italians and they would feel very comfortable. But everyone needs to find their own way.....
I'm in shock. I'm Canadian and don't like any Kirkland products from Costco. They're usually inferior and cheap for a reason. I thought you two would get cheese and pastas from a place that imported from Italy. Prices are extremely high in Canada for imports though. ❤
Well. If they wanted authentic Parma they would import from Wisconsin not Italy as its even attested by Italys food scholar Alberto Grandi that's the only place where the authentic version is still available in the world.
@tqueen7131 really? I thought to be named Parma it had to be made in that region in Italy by what I researched to make it authentic.
I think maybe just maybe….a mylar vacuum sealed slice of cheese will taste just as good as when it is sliced in Italy. Storage methods does affect how something taste so why not give it a try😅
Let him talk! 😂
Just bought some from Costco… I love it, but hope it is “Italian approved”. 😂
Are either made with goat or sheep milk? Everyone should eat cheese daily but good cheese not processed cheese.
Costco for the win!
No tax on food in Texas. What about Tennessee?
Kirkland is a really good at many foods... And other products. Best of all...the price
I'm so curious, what do you two do for a living😊?
My guess is that they're full-time social media content creators. I definitely think that's more work than fun and applaud Jessi & Alessio for coming up with new ideas, filming, editing, and uploading.
I thought at some point they ran a wedding floral business but maybe they don't do that anymore with their success on social media.
Now do a taste comparison of domestic parmiggiano.
Whole foods cuts it by hand, winner in my books... sad that prepackaged gets more love
Signori, sul parmigiano non si scherza. Authentic italian parmisan is a serious business. Parmisan is one of the few iconic foods that for italians is VERY personal. I too love the one from Costco but not seeing the “consorzio” stamp on the packaging … I don’t know.
Costco has really good buyers.
I'm surprised he's not cleanding his palate between taste
Anche in Italia hai Parmigiano e Grana in più tieni conto che in America il "Parmesan" lo fanno con parametri vecchi di 50/100 anni...e poi comunque il latte è differente.
I buy Costco 30 month only. I want to try the 13 month to see how much of a difference there is .
😮I was counting on Whole Food😭😭😭
My fiancé and could be on our last $100 but if we don’t have a wedge of DOP parm, then we have $80 actually.
The truth is if it wasn't cut from a wheel with an authentic stamp right in front of you in the deli then it's crap
I'm Italian and I was lucky to have received international school education when it came to learning English. All I can say is THANK GOD! Every time I listen to this guy, I feel sorry for his wife. His English accent is horrific. No wonder why people outside of Italy make fun of our accent 😩
Vaca rossa is the best
I don't like the way my whole foods location stores it. It's out on a cart display at room temperature and it smells like rancid oil. They're wasting such a beautiful product.
There are no taxes on food in America bud, unless it's hot, or bottled/canned.😂
Casco 🪖 you won
I'm glad I don't live in the US anymore. So difficult to get a hold of the real deal at a reasonable price.
As he just showed you, it isn't had to get ahold of "the real deal at a reasonable price" The Costco Parmigiano Reggiano and their Pecarino Romano are DOP, aged 2 years and are under $12 a pound in most parts of the US. Costco also carries imported San Marzano tomatoes and Garafolo pastas at fair prices.
@@tdublakeo It may be considered reasonable for the US but not in Europe. That's what I meant,
There are always real deals at reasonable prices anywhere in the world especially in the US
Funny you should say that but according to Italy itself and their food scholar the only place in the world that has authentic Parmigiano is Wisconsin located in the USA. Lol but hey look it up yourself Alberto Grandi is their food scholar in Italy who dates when recipes were made and things like that for Italy.
Parma today does not use the original authentic many hundreds of years old recipe. An Italian likely the owner of said recipe brought it to the US and thats where it's been since. So if you are looking for authentic Parma well US is where you will find it.
I don't want to spoil you but wait till you find out what else is in the US first and not Italy or which foods you thought were made in Italy but are Italian immigrants or Italian Americans recipes taken to Italy.
@@tdublakeoI grow San Marzano in my backyard right here in USA. Oh and BTW you may want to read because just because it's called a San Marzano doesn't mean it was grown in that region in Italy either.
Bur btw Tomatoes were introduced to Italy from the New World which became United States.
Gotta love history. San marzano is because of the region they were grown in was harder to grow certain types
Appellation d origine contrôle tout les deux
In-a Italia, they-a give-a you death penalty for selling-a fake Parmigiano. And-a well DESERVED-A!
Ummmm... they better not be charging you tax...thats a food products..and food products arent supposed to be taxed...Anywhere in america...
In theory….
Jeff Bezos vs Soccer Moms.
Soccer Moms: 1
Parmagiano origiano is always quality approved from Italy. Otherwise it's not allowed to be called parmagiano origiano.
It sounds like both of them lost haha, you basically said they are both not parmigiano
Bologna just squirted
Stop. Just stop
After watching lots of your videos l am disappointed that you have never visited a restaurant that sells Native American food - you are aware you are only trying immigrants imported recipes. As a European l would never visit Italy, then only eat in French, English, German food etc and then compare it with the food l have eaten in these countries - crazy. Please try the food that actually originates from the country you are living in.
Everytime I come in the Us I bring with me 2 kg of "Bagoss" 2 years aged. The best Italian cheese. Better then any kind of parmigiano. My friend and customer in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania agree: Bagoss is the best.
I knew Costco would win! They make quality products! It’s harder to get at regular supermarkets