Key Difference: The main difference between Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano is the aging process. Parmigiano Reggiano is aged for a minimum of 12 months, while Grana Padano has to be aged at least 8 months.
What is Parmigiano Reggiano?
Parmigiano Reggiano is a type of cheese that is made in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy.
The cheese is made from cow’s milk and has a hard texture and a nutty flavor.
It is often used in pasta dishes or as a topping for pizza.
What is Grana Padano?
Grana Padano is a type of cheese that is made in the Veneto and Lombardy regions of Italy.
Cow’s milk is used to make the cheese, which has a hard texture and a nutty flavor same as Parmigiano Reggiano.
This cheese is made in a similar way to Parmigiano Reggiano, but it can be aged for up to only 20 months.
Parmigiano Reggiano vs Grana Padano: What’s the difference?
One of the major differences between Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano is their origin.
Parmigiano Reggiano is made in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, while Grana Padano is made in the Veneto and Lombardy regions.
Parmigiano Reggiano is also generally considered to be a higher quality cheese than Grana Padano.
Parmigiano Reggiano is also aged for longer, typically between 12 and 36 months, while Grana Padano is only aged for between 8 and 20 months.
Parmigiano Reggiano also has a more complex flavor than Grana Padano.
Key Differences
Important differences between Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano cheese are –
Flavor
Parmigiano Reggiano has a stronger, nuttier flavor than Grana Padano.
Due to the longer aging process, Parmigiano Reggiano is also saltier than Grana Padano.
Texture
Parmigiano Reggiano has a harder texture than Grana Padano.
This is due to the fact that Parmigiano Reggiano is aged for a longer period of time.
Price
Parmigiano Reggiano is generally more expensive than Grana Padano due to the long aging process and the higher quality of milk that is used.
Preservatives
No preservatives are used in the production of Parmigiano Reggiano.
On the other hand, Grana Padano is sometimes treated with potassium sorbate, which is a food preservative.
Nutritional Value
Parmigiano Reggiano has a higher nutritional value than Grana Padano.
This is due to the fact that Parmigiano Reggiano is made with cow’s milk, while Grana Padano is sometimes made with buffalo milk.
However, both kinds of cheese are high in protein and calcium.
Quality
Parmigiano Reggiano is a higher quality cheese than Grana Padano.
This is because Parmigiano Reggiano is made with fresh, high-quality milk, while Grana Padano can be made with lower-quality milk.
It depends on the producer, but Grana Padano can also be made with pasteurized milk.
Regulations
Parmigiano Reggiano is subject to stricter regulations than Grana Padano.
This means that Parmigiano Reggiano must meet certain quality and production standards, while Grana Padano does not have to meet as many regulations.
Fat
Parmigiano Reggiano contains more fat (25.83 grams of fat per 100 grams) than Grana Padano.
This is because Parmigiano Reggiano is made with whole milk, while Grana Padano can be made with reduced-fat milk.
Semi-fat cheese will have less fat than whole milk cheese.
Age
Parmigiano Reggiano is aged for a longer period of time than Grana Padano.
Parmigiano Reggiano is typically aged 12-36 months, while Grana Padano can be aged for up to two years (20 monthly mostly).
FAQs
Parmigiano Reggiano is the closest cheese to Grana Padano. Both are made from cow’s milk and have a hard texture and a nutty flavor.
Parmigiano Reggiano is often considered the king of cheeses, but Grana Padano is a close second and is also highly respected.
Yes, Parmesan and Parmigiano Reggiano are the same cheese. The name Parmesan is a protected name in the European Union, which means that only cheese made in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy can be called Parmesan.
Grana Padano cheese can be used as a substitute for Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. This cheese is made in a similar way and has a similar flavor.
Monterey Jack cheese can be used as a substitute for Parmesan cheese in most recipes. Because they have a similar flavor and texture, the two kinds of cheese can be used interchangeably.