Grana Padano 

It is the unmistakable one of Grana Padano, one of the oldest cheeses in Italy, which has always been a precious ally in the kitchen for great recipes and small snacks. Even during the Christmas holidays. 

Grana Padano is a story that began almost a thousand years ago, when the Benedictine monks devised an intelligent way to preserve excess milk: they invented a hard cheese capable of lasting over time. They called it in Latin "Caesus Vetus", but for its grainy consistency it soon became known as "Grana" and in 1954 it was officially baptized "Grana Padano", with the adjective that identifies its production area. Born in Milan, it is now produced in 32 provinces and five regions of the Po Valley: in addition to Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, Trentino and Piedmont. Made exclusively with semi-skimmed raw milk, it has been a DOP cheese since 1996. The certification guarantees that it is linked exclusively to its production area, produced according to traditional methods and inseparable from the climate, culture and the people who create it: in this way its highest quality, authenticity and traceability is guaranteed.

Seasoning

Each wheel of Grana Padano matures for a minimum of 9 months and, only after a careful examination by the experts of the Consortium and a third impartial control body, the CSQA, obtains the fire mark that certifies its perfection. After 20 months of maturation, if the producer requests it, the wheel can be subjected to a new series of quality tests by the technicians of the Consortium, in order to receive the "Riserva" brand. Grana Padano can mature for over 24 months: its paste becomes more grainy and its taste evolves, becoming more intense, but always fragrant and delicate, ideal for special occasions.

How much do you know Grana Padano?

History, production tools, curiosities. Put yourself to the test and find out if you are a great expert on Grana Padano.

At the table

Lactose-free and rich in vitamins and minerals, Grana Padano has great versatility on the table and is perfect at any time of the day. Depending on its seasoning, it can be grated to give a touch of unmistakable Italian spirit to any dish or become a real protagonist of the recipe, from appetizers to desserts. Grana Padano aged over 12 months is the table cheese par excellence, with a sweet and delicate taste, reminiscent of milk, and with a compact paste of light straw color that does not yet have the typical "grana". Perfect for snacks and appetizer, it is excellent in flakes in salads and carpaccio and is good for the preparation of sauces and creams. It goes well with fresh and fruity white wines, with Best Bitter, Porter and Italian Grape Ale beers and can be accompanied with citrus or honey. Grana Padano aged over 16 and over 18 months has a slightly more intense straw yellow color and already has the typical grainy structure of pasta; The taste is tasty and pronounced, but never spicy. Particularly suitable for grating and meal consumption, it is excellent in hot preparations, such as flan, soufflé and vegetable pies, and for creaming pasta, risotto and soups. It goes well with medium-bodied red wines, still young and fresh, Belgian Blond Ale, Strong Schotch Ale or Helles Bock beers and can be accompanied with eucalyptus and rhododendron honey. Grana Padano "Riserva" for over 20 months and over 24 months has a particularly evident "grain" paste and a homogeneous white or straw yellow color. Thanks to the long seasoning, it has an increasingly rich flavor, without ever being aggressive. The absolute protagonist of the table, both grated and as a table cheese, it is also perfect served with nuts, fruit and jams. It goes well with soft red wines, tannic and good alcohol, with sweet wines and with the great Classico Riserva wines, with Belgian dubbed beers, Belgian Dark Strong Ale and with Italian Grape Ale with cooked must and can be accompanied by dandelion and honeydew honey.

A friend for the holidays

In the days of Christmas we all cook more and with more time, care and love, to bring to the table the recipes of great occasions, to share with the whole family. Grana Padano is a great ally in the kitchen to give a special touch to every dish. On the granapadano.it website you can find many ideas to use it from appetizers to desserts and also new recipes, designed especially for these holidays. Some examples? Guinea fowl tortelli, Grana Padano, mushrooms and crispy speck, vol o vant with Grana Padano mousse, lumpfish roe, aromatic herbs and pink pepper and irresistible Christmas trees.