Brandon Jew is the executive chef and owner of Mister Jiu’s, a contemporary Chinese American restaurant in the heart of San Francisco Chinatown.  Mister Jiu’s combines the local, seasonal and organic bounty of the Bay Area together with classic Chinese techniques and flavors.

We're proud to source farmstead parmesan from 5th-generation producer Valserena Soladibruna, the oldest Parmigiano Reggiano dairy in Parma and one of just four dairies making parmesan from the milk of brown cows. As one of the last producers dedicated to this art, they execute the entire process on their farm, from growing the cows' grain and raising calves to crafting the cheese itself. 

Aged 24 months, this cheese is a worldwide favorite. Pleasantly sharp, nutty, and spicy, its inimitable crystalline grit distinguishes it from imitators. Certified for export by the official Consorzio di Parma, this item is offered as either an ~11lb eighth of a wheel, or as a full wheel — a rare, extremely special find outside of commercial contexts.

Parmigiano Reggiano is considered a shelf-stable product, with as little as 0 - 3.2% lactose. Thankfully, this means that it does not require refrigeration, and is perfectly fine to be stored or transported at room temperature. Many still choose to refrigerate their Parmigiano, slowing down potential development of harmless mold. If your Parmigiano shows any visible mold on the exterior rind, simply dampen a cloth with vinegar and gently wipe away to maintain a crisp, clean aesthetic. With this shelf stability in mind, we ship our Parmigiano cost-effectively, and we forward those savings to you.

Morels mix an eccentric image with a luxuriously glamorous reputation. They can be blonde or black in color, with spongey, honeycombed fruiting bodies that are notoriously difficult to discern amidst the brush and roots where they  sprout up each spring and early summer. In the foothills of the Himalayas, these mushrooms are called gucchi, meaning “intricate webbing” in a local dialect, despite its posh connotations to western ears. Consistently among the priciest, most precious ingredients in the world, Himalayan gucchis have a robustly woodsy character that infuse any dish with a nutty depth while maintaining a sturdy, meaty texture.

Aside from their rarity and excellence as an ingredient, Himalayan Black Morels sustain even greater clout because they have historically been regarded as impossible to cultivate. This may be part of their charm, but as farmers and researchers in China have made stunning progress on deliberate Morel cultivation, they have radically disrupted the global market, becoming the world’s largest exporter of morels. Despite being cultivated, these morels are every bit as excellent as those found in the wild, and they are still challenging and costly to produce. They grow outdoors, in carefully managed soils under canopy, imitating their natural conditions as effectively as possible and retaining their unmistakable flavor profile. These Morels are nutty, meaty, with an inimitable expression of earth and forest, and an umami depth that comes out decadently when seared with a bit of butter. What’s even lovelier about this cultivated selection is that it will ship to you far cleaner than most, avoiding the risk of water damage during the thorough scrubbing required for foraged Morels.

With their spirited scarcity preserved, our affection for these Morels is as strong as ever.

This item is 1lb fresh Morels

Sichuan, China