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Grana Padano

Tamorlan / CC BY 3.0
  • Made from skimmed or unpasteurized cow's milk

  • Country of origin: Italy

  • Family: Parmesan

  • Type: hard

  • Texture: crumbly and grainy

  • Rind: natural

  • Colour: pale yellow

  • Flavour: nutty, savory

  • Aroma: sweet

  • Vegetarian: no

  • Alternative spellings: Grana Padano oltre 16 mesi, Grana Padano Riserva

  • Made from skimmed or unpasteurized cow's milk

  • Country of origin: Italy

  • Family: Parmesan

  • Type: hard

  • Texture: crumbly and grainy

  • Rind: natural

  • Colour: pale yellow

  • Flavour: nutty, savory

  • Aroma: sweet

  • Vegetarian: no

  • Alternative spellings: Grana Padano oltre 16 mesi, Grana Padano Riserva

Grana Padano is a hard Italian cheese that is similar to Parmesan. It is named after the Grana (grainy) texture of the cheese and the Padano region in northern Italy where it originated. Grana Padano has been produced for over 1,000 years and is one of the most popular and widely consumed cheeses that has received the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status.

Grana Padano is made from unpasteurised, semi-skimmed cow’s milk, and is aged for a minimum of 9 months, but some varieties can be aged for up to 24 months or more. It has a firm, granular texture, which becomes crumbly as it ages. The flavour is savoury, nutty, and slightly sweet. The longer it is aged, the more intense and complex the flavour becomes. Grana Padano has a pale yellow or straw-coloured interior with a natural rind. It is available at different ripening stages: Grana Padano (9 to 16 months), Grana Padano oltre 16 mesi (over 16 months) and Grana Padano Riserva (over 20 months).

Grana Padano can be grated over pasta, risotto, salads, or soups.  Try pairing the cheese with a Barolo, Zinfandel or Gavi white wine.

 

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Wine and crackers with Grana Padano

Grana Padano, a hard and aged Italian cheese with a granular texture and nutty flavour, pairs well with a variety of wines and crackers. Here are four wine types and three cracker options that generally complement Grana Padano:

Wine Pairings:

  • Barolo: This robust and full-bodied red wine, made from Nebbiolo …
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Grana Padano recipes

Risotto with Grana Padano, Asparagus and Lemon

Risotto with Grana Padano, Asparagus and Lemon

This exquisite dish combines the nutty richness of Grana Padano cheese, the vibrant essence of fresh asparagus, and the zesty allure of lemon, resulting in …

Substitutes for Grana Padano