Grana (cheese) facts for kids
Grana is a special kind of hard, aged cheese from Italy. It has a unique texture that feels a bit grainy, like tiny crystals. People often use it for grating over pasta or salads. Grana cheeses are usually made in very large, round shapes called "wheels." Instead of slicing them, people use a special blunt knife to split these big wheels.
Within the European Union, the name Grana is legally protected. This means that only Grana Padano cheese can be sold using the term "Grana" in EU countries. This protection is called a Protected Designation of Origin.
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What is Grana Cheese?
Grana cheese gets its name from the Italian word "grana," which means "grain." This refers to its special grainy texture. When you look closely, you might even see tiny, crunchy spots in the cheese. These are called cheese crystals. They are made of a natural substance called amino acids, like tyrosine, which develop as the cheese ages.
Famous Grana Cheeses
The two most famous types of Grana cheese are Parmigiano-Reggiano and Grana Padano. They are quite similar, but Grana Padano is usually a bit milder and less crumbly than Parmigiano-Reggiano.
How They Are Different
The main difference between Parmigiano-Reggiano and Grana Padano comes from what the cows eat. For Parmigiano-Reggiano, cows only eat fresh grass and grains. They are not allowed to eat silage, which is fermented animal feed. Also, no preservatives or antibiotics are used for these cows. If a cow needs antibiotics, its milk cannot be used for Parmigiano-Reggiano or Grana Padano for a certain time.
Silage is a type of feed that needs a natural preservative called lysozyme to be added to Grana Padano cheese. However, feeding silage and adding lysozyme are not allowed when making Parmigiano-Reggiano or Trentingrana cheese.
Other Grana Cheeses
Besides Parmigiano-Reggiano and Grana Padano, there are other types of Grana cheese:
- Granone Lodigiano (also known as Tipico Lodigiano), made in the Province of Lodi.
- Trentingrana, produced near Trento.
- Gransardo, from Sardinia.
- Valgrana, from Piedmont.
- Pecorino Romano, which is a sheep's milk cheese. It is mostly made in Sardinia, but also in Lazio and the Province of Grosseto in Tuscany.
History of Grana
Grana originally described a type of hard cheese that came from the Po Valley (Valle Padana) in Northern Italy. It was known for its special granular texture, which is where the name "grana" (meaning "grain" in Italian) comes from.
