Since the 16th century, the Parmesan has been considered the best cheese in Italy; it was tasted by Molière, it was mentioned in the "Encyclopedie" by Diderot, it was cited in Anna Karenina by Tolstoj and in some Boccaccio's and Petrarca's works.

Towards the middle of the 18th century it was exported to England, France and was appreciated by oriental sovereigns.

This kind of cheese was celebrated by the poet Thomas Gray and by Benjamin Franklin.