Italian taste

The history of Grana Padano begins almost a thousand years ago, when Benedictine monks devised a clever way to preserve excess milk: they invented a hard cheese capable of lasting over time. They called it "Caesus Vetus" in Latin, but due to its grainy texture, it quickly became known as "Grana," and in 1954 it was officially named "Grana Padano," with the adjective identifying its production area. Originating in Milan, it is now produced in 32 provinces and five regions of the Po Valley: Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, Trentino, and Piedmont. Made exclusively from semi-skimmed raw milk, it has been a PDO cheese since 1996. This certification guarantees that it is exclusively tied to its production area, produced according to traditional methods, and inseparable from the climate, culture, and people who create it: this guarantees its highest quality, authenticity, and traceability.

The maturing

Each wheel of Grana Padano is aged for a minimum of nine months and, only after careful examination by the Consortium's experts and a third, impartial inspection body, the CSQA, is it awarded the fire-branded seal certifying its perfection. After 20 months of aging, if the producer requests it, the wheel can undergo a new series of quality tests by the Consortium's technicians to receive the "Riserva" fire-branded seal. Grana Padano can be aged for over 24 months: its texture becomes more grainy and its flavor evolves, becoming more intense, yet still fragrant and delicate, ideal for special occasions.

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At the table

Lactose-free and rich in vitamins and minerals, Grana Padano is incredibly versatile and perfect at any time of day. Depending on its age, it can be grated to add an unmistakable Italian touch to any dish or become the star of any recipe, from appetizers to desserts. Grana Padano aged over 12 months is the quintessential table cheese, with a sweet and delicate flavor reminiscent of milk, and a compact, pale straw-colored paste that has not yet developed the characteristic graininess. Perfect for snacks and aperitifs, it is excellent shaved into salads and carpaccio and is also excellent for making sauces and creams. It pairs well with fresh, fruity white wines, Best Bitter, Porter, and Italian Grape Ale beers, and can be paired with citrus or acacia honey. Grana Padano aged over 16 and over 18 months has a slightly more intense straw-yellow color and already possesses the typical grainy texture of the cheese; the flavor is savory and pronounced, but never spicy. Particularly suitable for grating and as a table cheese, it is excellent in hot dishes such as flans, soufflés, and vegetable tarts, and for creaming pasta, risotto, and soups. It pairs well with medium-bodied, young, and crisp red wines, Belgian Blond Ale, Strong Schotch Ale, or Helles Bock beers, and can be paired with eucalyptus and rhododendron honey. Grana Padano "Riserva" aged over 20 months and over 24 months has a particularly pronounced grainy texture and a uniform white or straw-yellow color. Thanks to its long aging, it has an increasingly rich flavor, without ever being overpowering. A true centerpiece of the table, both grated and as a table cheese, it is also perfect served with nuts, fruit, and jams. It pairs well with soft, tannic red wines with good alcohol content, with sweet wines and with great Metodo Classico Riserva wines, with Beligan dubbel beers, Belgian Dark Strong Ales and with Italian Grape Ales with cooked must and can be accompanied with dandelion honey and honeydew honey.

A friend for the holidays

During the Christmas holidays, we all cook more, with more time, care, and love, bringing special recipes to the table, to share with the whole family. Grana Padano is a great ally in the kitchen, adding a special touch to every dish. On the website granapadano.it, you can find countless ideas for using it, from appetizers to desserts, as well as new recipes designed especially for these holidays. Some examples? Guinea fowl tortelli, Grana Padano, mushrooms, and crispy speck; volunteers with Grana Padano mousse, lumpfish roe, aromatic herbs, and pink peppercorn; and irresistible Christmas trees.