Grana padano cheese

The Grana Padano cheese group got its original name due to its distinctive appearance and geographical affiliation. Literally translated from Italian, the word grana means "grain, " and padano is the name of the Po River, which flows through Italy and flows into the Adriatic Sea. The first recipes for Grana Padano cheese were known back in ancient Rome.

And it was then that cheesemakers began to make various varieties of hard cheeses in the vicinity of the Po River, whose name became the name of the world famous Grana Padano cheeses. This type of cheese stands out for its grainy structure and brackish taste, with barely noticeable nutty notes and aftertaste.

Foodies and professional tasters note that Grana Padano cheese resembles another equally famous and venerable Italian cheese Parmigiano Reggiano or more popularly known as Parmesan. Grana padano differs from Parmesan in its region of production.

Unlike Parmesan, which can be produced under Italian law exclusively in a region such as Emilia-Romagna, in turn Grana Padano cheese is made in such areas of Italy as Lombardy, Veneto, Piedmont, as well as Alto Adige. In addition, Grana Padano's Parmesan is distinguished by the raw materials that are used in the cheese making process.

For Parmesan, cow's milk is used, which was obtained from the milk yield of cows that feed exclusively on grass or hay. For Grana Padano cheese, regular cow's milk is used. In order to produce only one kilogram of Grana Padano cheese, about 17 liters of cow pasteurized milk are required.

Grana Padano cheese has excellent taste, aroma and consumer characteristics primarily due to a specially developed production technology, as well as product aging. The average duration of cheese aging is 18 months.

For comparison, many cheeses are ready for consumption after 2-4 months of aging. In appearance, the cheese is cylindrical heads, the mass of which reaches a maximum of 40 kg. Gran's cheese crust padano has a white and light yellow hue. Grana Padano cheese is served as an aperitif snack on its own.

In addition, cheese as part of a cheese plate is served for dessert. Grana Padano cheese is thought to just pair perfectly with vermouth as well as red wine. often it is Grana Padano that replaces Parmesan as part of salads, pasta, sauces, as well as mashed soups.