This just my opinion.......

[Mama Mangia]

This is just my opinion on black pepper and Parmesan cheese.

I never bought ground black pepper - I prefer to grind and crack my own for cooking.

And I don't buy sawdust (that is what I call grated Parmesan cheese - like Kraft, for instance). Fresh grated cheeses give a much better flavor and you can mix two or more together for a wonderful flavor.

[r8rpwr]

I could not agree with you more. Especially on the cheese.

The powdery stuff in the green can, is not cheese!

There was another thing that I'm particularly snooty about, but I just can't remember it right now. I'll come back and edit if it comes to me. I'm getting forgetful in my old age.

[ainjel]

I think all cheese tastes so much better freshly grated! We never used to do it and would buy some of the preshredded cheeses to save time for tacos, pizza, etc. To save a little bit of money we decided to shred it ourself for tacos one night, and also because we couldn't find extra sharp cheddar.

Well, now we're spoiled and no longer buy ANY cheese preshredded. : )

[muffinman]

Extra sharp Cheddar cheese is my favorite cheese. Don't think I ever noticed the difference until one morning when making an omelet and didn't have a pouch of pre-shredded Cheddar cheese. Most of the time we get Kraft, but I buy Horizon Organic if the store carries it.

A little store near us sells a wonderful white extra sharp Cheddar cheese in chunks that they keep under glass near the counter. It's a nice different cheese.

[peacherina]

White cheddare fresh grated cheese. Now that sounds good!! Well I've never grated my own cheese. But I think I will try it. I bet that would be good on tacos.

[Mrs. Chipotle]

Pre-grated Parmesan does taste rather like sawdust, doesn't it? I have to say I agree with you. I always have a chunk of Parmesan in the refrigerator and grate it fresh. The difference in flavor is really night and day!

[muffinman]

As for Parmesan cheese, there isn't much that can compare with fresh Parmesano Reggiano from Italy. The last time we bought it the price was about $13.00/lb. But we never use a lot of Parmesan cheese in any one meal so the price doesn't hurt that bad.

[Mama Mangia]

I wish I could say that!!! I go through a lot of Pecorino Roman, Asiago, Fontinella, Fontina, etc. and the average price if between $9.50 and $11.50/pound.

But it's worth it because of the great taste! I don't care if the canned sawdust is $3.99 - I would never buy it!

[BagCSC]

Lol...the fresh grated cheese just seems to remind me of Olive Garden. When they shred the cheese on the salad. I almost always make them grate the entire block they have. Not only do I like a ton of cheese, but I like to see the look on their face....just waiting for you to say stop.

[Twinmama]

Until I got my husband that pepper grinder he wanted for Christmas, I didn't understand what the big fuss about fresh-ground pepper was! There's no going back for us, now, though.