Grana Padano

Life is there to be savoured

Grana Padano is the best-selling PDO cheese in the world. The culture of wellness is an intrinsic part of the production chain of this unique, inimitable cheese.

CONSORTIUM

Dating back to 1954, The Consortium for the Protection of Grana Padano cheese – Consorzio per la Tutela del Formaggio Grana Padano – is a non-profit organisation which brings together producers and curers to protect and promote Grana Padano PDO cheese in the world. It ensures that every wheel of cheese is made to traditional, exacting standards so that it can be awarded its P.D.O. (Protected Designation of Origin) status and be fire-branded with the Grana Padano mark whilst also protecting it against fraud in Italy and abroad.

The Consortium is based in Desenzano del Garda, on Lake Garda, in the heart of the Grana Padano production area situated in Northern Italy, stretching along the River Po Valley, from the Piemonte region to the Veneto region, up to the province of Trento in the north-east and, towards the south of the valley, a few areas of Emilia Romagna. It is the most sold PDO cheese in the world.

Grana Padano has been a part of Italy’s proud gastronomic heritage for around 1000 years and is guaranteed by strict Specification Rules. It is a semi-fat hard cheese, with a fine grainy structure, mellow and tasty flavour yet never overpowering and can be found in 3 vintages: Grana Padano DOP (9 to 16 months of ageing), Grana Padano “oltre 16 mesi” (over 16 months) and Grana Padano Riserva (over 20 months).

Grana Padano possesses unique nutritional features such as quality proteins, vitamins and mineral salts, especially calcium. It is an excellent natural, healthy and easy digestible food for children, teenagers, pregnant women, sportspersons and the elderly. Grana Padano is naturally lactose free due to the characteristics of its production and long ageing process.