Grana Padano cheese facts for kids
Grana Padano is a popular type of hard cheese from Italy. It is similar to Parmigiano Reggiano. The name "Grana" means 'grain', which describes its unique grainy texture. "Padano" refers to the Po River valley, where it is made.
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The Story of Grana Padano Cheese
Grana Padano cheese has a long and interesting history. It was first made by Cistercian monks in Chiaravalle during the 12th century. These monks needed a way to store extra milk so it wouldn't go bad. Making hard cheese was a perfect solution.
Becoming Famous in Italy
By the year 1477, Grana Padano was already known as one of Italy's most famous cheeses. Today, this special cheese is still made in several Italian regions. These include Piedmont, Lombardy, Veneto, and the province of Trento.
How Grana Padano is Made
Grana Padano is a semi-fat, hard cheese. It is cooked and then aged slowly for up to 18 months. This long process gives it its special flavor and texture.
From Milk to Cheese
The cheese is made from the milk of grass-fed cows. The cows are milked twice a day. After milking, the milk is left to sit, and some of the cream is removed. This process is called "partially creaming" the milk.
Year-Round Production
Grana Padano is produced all year long. Because of this, its quality can change a little depending on the season or the specific year.
What Grana Padano Looks Like
A whole wheel of Grana Padano cheese is shaped like a cylinder. Its sides are slightly curved or almost straight, and it has flat top and bottom surfaces. The outside part, called the rind, is thin and can be white or a light straw-yellow color.
Ensuring Quality and Tradition
Grana Padano cheese has been made since the 12th century. To make sure it stays high quality, its production is carefully watched. The Consorzio per la Tutela del Formaggio Grana Padano is an organization that oversees how the cheese is made and ensures its quality.
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After nine months of aging, each wheel is checked. If it's good enough, it gets fire-branded with the official Grana Padano logo.
See also
In Spanish: Grana Padano para niños
