Our Parmigiano Reggiano comes from master affineur, Giorgio Cravero based in Bra, Piedmonte. The affineur system, which exists throughout the cheese-producing areas of continental Europe, grew out of farmers’ need to convert their cheeses into cash as soon as possible. Shrewd business people, affineurs, realized that they could add value by aging the cheeses and provide consistent aged quality, while the farmers were only too eager to sell. Giorgio represents the fifth generation of G. Cravero affineurs. Giorgio’s father is called Giacomo, and his father before him was Giorgio, whose father before him was Giacomo. Giorgio’s own son is, of course, called Giacomo. One day he will take over from Giorgio and continue the family’s tradition which now stretches back over 150 years.
