When you shop at the cheese store, you notice that Grana Padano cost a lot less than Parmigiano. There are probably a lot of reasons why you'd like to know what makes these three famed Italian hard cheeses different, including whther or not you can sub one for the other in recipes and grate any of them over your pasta dinner .
In summary, Parmesan and Grana Padano are both exceptional Italian cheeses, each with its own unique characteristics. Parmesan offers a more intense, nutty flavor with a hard and crumbly texture, while Grana Padano provides a milder taste and a firmer, smoother texture.
Flavour profile As with the other cheeses included in this post, Parmigiano Reggiano's flavours develop as it ages. The minimum duration for the maturation of the cheese is 12 months, at which point it has a delicate flavour with smooth notes of yoghurt and fresh fruit and a soft texture.
Rather than cows, it's sheep that provide milk for Pecorino Romano. Aging ranges between five months and eight months, and Pecorino Romano production must occur either on the island of Sardinia
Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano are both Italian cheeses, but they are made in different regions of Italy. They also have significant differences in taste, texture, and aging process. Grana Padano is a hard cheese with a grainy texture and it is aged for at least 12 months.
Back to Top Parmigiano-Reggiano is a hard, dry cheese made from skimmed or partially skimmed cow's milk. It has a hard pale-golden rind and a straw-colored interior with a rich, sharp flavor. Parmigiano-Reggianos are aged at least two years.
