John Myers
No spaghetti bolognese without a good helping of grated hard Italian cheese on top. But what is the difference between a Parmesan and a Grana Padano? Here you can find out.
Grana cheese from Italy
Grana Padano and Parmesan are very typical firm and particularly fine-grained hard cheeses from Italy. The term Grana cheese is derived from “grana”, the Italian word for grain.
What is Parmesan?
The cheese known to us simply as Parmesan is actually called Parmigiano Reggiano and its name is protected by the Italian seal of origin “DOP” for products from a specific region:
- may only contain milk from cows from the Parma and Reggio nell’Emilia region
- Cows may only have grass or hay for fodder
- is obtained from whole milk and skimmed milk
- Production without further additives
- Fat content 37% i. Tr.
- Maturation time at least 24 up to 72 months
What is Grana Padano?
This designation is also protected and certain manufacturing specifications apply:
- is made from milk from cows from all over the Italian Po Valley
- In addition to grass, cows may also be fed silage
- made from raw milk
- the enzyme lysozyme is used as a preservative
- Fat content 32% i. Tr.
- Maturation time at least 9 months, up to 36 months
Difference between the two types of hard cheese
The two Grana kinds of cheese both come from Italy. Nevertheless, you may be surprised when shopping. A Parmesan cheese is often more expensive than a Grana Padano. However, there are good reasons for this:
- more complex feeding
- smaller production area of allowed milk
- more complex production
- longer ripening time
Tip: Hard cheese is traditionally broken and not cut. But it is also often freshly grated over a dish.
Taste difference
A subtle difference can also be seen in the taste: a Grana Padano is butterier and has a more delicate taste than Parmesan cheese, which is related to its longer maturing time. The longer the Parmigiano Reggiano has matured, the more intense and powerful it’s taste.
Nutrient
Hard cheese naturally contains plenty of calcium, which is particularly important for bones and teeth. About 30g of Parmigiano Reggiano or Grana Padano contains about as many good nutrients as half a liter of milk. These include saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, a lot of protein, iron, zinc, and potassium as well as many other minerals and vitamins.
Tip: Due to the long maturing period, both types of hard cheese contain no lactose and can therefore be eaten by people with lactose intolerance without any problems, for whom many other types of cheese are otherwise taboo.
Use in the kitchen
A grainy hard Italian cheese always brings a great tangy taste. Freshly grated but also melted in warm dishes, both varieties give the recipe the finishing touch.
Tip: You should always buy cheese in one piece and store it in the fridge in a tin or cloth. If possible not wrapped in foil. There is a risk of mold growth here.
