What is the Difference Between Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano

The main difference between Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano is that Grana Padano is milder and less nuanced than Parmigiano Reggiano.

Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano are two hard, crumbly cheeses that originate from Italy. Since these are traditional cheese from Italy, there are many regulations governing their production. Moreover, you can use Grana Padano as a substitute for Parmigiano Reggiano and vice versa.

Key Areas Covered 

 1. What is Parmigiano Reggiano 
     – Definition, Features
2. What is Grana Padano
     – Definition, Features
3. Similarities Between Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano
     – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Cheese, Parmigiano Reggiano, Grana Padano

What is Parmigiano Reggiano

Parmigiano Reggiano is a hard Italian cheese. This cheese has a hard light golden colored ring and a straw-colored interior. It has a rich, sharp flavor, and most people describe it as savory, spicy, salty, caramelized, and nutty. It is this rich and complex flavor that makes this cheese so popular. In fact, Parmigiano-Reggiano is the “King of Cheeses.”

Parmigiano Reggiano is a traditional cheese, and cheese manufacturers who manufacture it have to follow many strict criteria. Most importantly, Parmigiano Reggiano should be produced in the regions of Parma, Bologna, Mantua, or Modena in Italy. Moreover, manufacturers must make this cheese from unpasteurized cows’ milk and it must undergo aging at least 14 months. In addition, it is only made between April 15 to November 11 to make sure the milk is from cows that pasture on fresh grass, not silage. Manufacturers make cheese into large drum-shaped wheels that weigh between 66 pounds and 88 pounds. Furthermore, on the rind of the cheese, you can observe the name “Parmigiano-Reggiano,” the date of manufacture, and the code number that indicates the location of manufacture.

What is Grana Padano

Grana Padano is a hard, part-skim cheese that has its origin in Italy. It originated in the Po Valley region of Italy and is produced in Piedmont, Trentino/Alto Adige, Veneto, Emilia Romagna, and Lombardy. Moreover, it is somewhat similar in flavor to Parmigiano Reggiano. Grana Padano has a hard, thick, and smooth rind with a brown or yellowish color. The interior is hard, grain, and has a whitish color. In addition, there are very small, barely visible holes in the curd.

Manufactures make Grana Padano only  from cow’s milk, and it requires aging for at least 9 months. In addition, it must undergo curing for at least 20 months in cellars. However, there are less strict regulations governing Grana Padano production when we compare it to Parmigiano Reggiano. 

Similarities Between Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano

• Both are hard cheeses that originate from Italy.
• They share a similar flavor profile.
• Moreover, you can use Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano as substitutes for each other.

Difference Between Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano

Definition

Parmigiano Reggiano is a hard Italian cheese made from cow’s milk, under many strict regulations, while Grana Padano is a hard, part-skim cheese that originated in the Po Valley of Italy.

Region

Parmigiano Reggiano is produced in the regions of Parma, Bologna, Mantua, or Modena, while Grana Padano is produced in Piedmont, Trentino/Alto Adige, Veneto, Emilia Romagna, and Lombardy.

Regulations

There are less strict regulations governing Grana Padano production when we compare it to Parmigiano Reggiano. 

Flavor

Parmigiano Reggiano has a rich, sharp flavor, and most people describe it as savory, spicy, salty, caramelized, and nutty, while Grana Padano is milder and less nuanced.

Fat Content

Since Grana Padano is part-skimmed milk, it has a lower fat content.

Use of Preservatives

The use of preservatives is not allowed in Parmigiano Reggiano, but it is allowed in Grana Padano.

Conclusion

In brief, Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano are two hard, crumbly cheeses that originate from Italy. The main difference between Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano is that Grana Padano is milder and less nuanced than Parmigiano Reggiano.

Reference:

1. Meier, Jennifer. “Serving and Cooking with Parmigiano-Reggiano, King of Italian Cheese.” The Spruce Eats.
2. “Grana Padano.” Castello.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Parmigiano-reggiano-cheese-italy” (CC0) via Pixabay
2. “Grana Padano DOP” By Claudia Castaldi – Consorzio Tutela Grana Padano (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia