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. Let's explore them all. What is Parmesan? You might say "Parmesan" and think of the real-deal Italian cheese, but what's labeled "Parmesan" or even "Parmigiano" in U.S. stores can be any Mamma mia! Ready to become a cheese connoisseur? You need to know these types of cheeses. What does Grana Padano taste like? The taste of Grana Padano depends on how long it's been aged. For instance, 9- to 16-month-old cheese has a creamy, slightly grainy texture. The main differences between Parmigiano Reggiano (aka Parmesan) and Grana Padano are: Grana Padano is made over a much larger area - partly because of this the price tends to be lower. About 4,800,000 wheels of Grana Padano are produced each year (compared to about 3,400,000 wheels of Parmigiano-Reggiano), making this Italy's most produced 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. 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 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. In conclusion, understanding the differences between Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano is crucial for any food enthusiast or culinary connoisseur. These two Italian cheeses may appear similar at first glance, but their distinct characteristics make them unique in their own right. Differences Between Grana Padano and Parmesan They may have an extensive list of similarities but Grana Padano and Parmesan have a few points of difference that makes their distinction clear: Classification - Not every cheese in the world needs a DOP classification. xOPRd.