What is Grana Padano cheese?
Q: What is Grana Padano cheese?
A: Grana Padano is a type of hard cheese similar to parmesan cheese.
Q: Why is it called Grana Padano?
A: The name comes from the noun grana (‘grain’), which refers to the distinctively grainy texture of the cheese, and the adjective Padano, which refers to the river Po.
Q: Who created Grana Padano cheese?
A: Grana Padano cheese was created by the Cistercian monks of Chiaravalle.
Q: When was Grana Padano cheese regarded as one of the most famous cheeses of Italy?
A: By the year 1477, Grana Padano cheese was regarded as one of the most famous cheeses of Italy.
Q: Where is Grana Padano cheese produced today?
A: Grana Padano cheese is produced in the regions of Piedmont, Lombardy and Veneto, and in the province of Trento.
Q: How is Grana Padano cheese made?
A: Grana Padano is a semi-fat hard cheese which is cooked and ripened slowly (for up to 18 months). It is produced by curdling the milk of grass-fed cows. The cows are milked twice a day, the milk is left to stand, and then partially creamed.
Q: What does a wheel of Grana Padano cheese look like?
A: A wheel of Grana Padano is cylindrical, with slightly convex or almost straight sides and flat faces. The rind, which is thin, is white or straw yellow.
