Agriform 9 lb. 15-16 Month Aged DOP Grana Padano Cheese Wedge

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Present your customers with a marvel of traditional cheesemaking by offering this Agriform 15-16 month aged Grana Padano cheese! Thought to be one of the world's oldest hard cheeses, this Northern Italian delicacy is known throughout the world for its unmistakable flavor and texture. This Grana Padano is aged for 15-16 months, during which time the cheese develops a firm, thick, ochre-colored rind that envelops its delicious interior. The word "grana," which in Italian means "grainy," refers to the cheese's distinctly flaky, grainy texture; it is delightfully crumbly with tiny crags and delicate crannies throughout! This hard cheese lends itself particularly well to grating, shaving, and slicing. Its full-flavored taste is distinctly nutty and savory, with a lovely, sweet finish and a fragrant, floral aroma. Produced in the Po River Valley in northeastern Italy, Grana Padano bears the DOP status and is made using the same old world techniques that the Cistercian monks of Chiaravalle who created it used in the 12th century. In both texture and flavor, Grana Padano is similar to its cousin, Parmigiano Reggiano, though Grana Padano is typically aged for a shorter period. This, combined with the fact that Grana Padano is produced in a larger geographical region than Parmigiano Reggiano makes it a popular economical alternative. Grana Padano's texture is slightly less crumbly than that of Parmesan, while its flavor tends to be subtler and more mild.

The versatility of Grana Padano cheese makes it perfect for a variety of applications and occasions. When serving on a cheese plate or charcuterie board, complement its nutty, salty flavor with figs, dried fruit, sliced apples, or golden honey, or, for a savory snack, enjoy it with walnuts, olives, or traditional Italian cured meats. Try serving this cheese alongside full-bodied, aromatic white wines like Chardonnay, or intense, tannic reds like Barolo. When cooking with Grana Padano, keep in mind that it can be used in many recipes that call of Parmesan or other hard cheeses, and is an especially good substitute in recipes where you don't want the cheese to overwhelm the other flavors in the dish. Try shaving it over a flavorful Caesar salad, grating over lasagna, or incorporating into creamy sauces or fresh, flavorful pestos. No matter how you choose to serve Grana Padano cheese, you'll be indulging in the same tantalizing flavor enjoyed by Italian peasants and nobles alike for centuries.

In 1135, Cistercian monks at the Chiaravalle Abbey in Italy's picturesque Po Valley began farming the rich, fertile land around their monastery. Their efforts were so successful that eventually, they found themselves with a surplus of milk on their hands. Instead of throwing away such a nutrient-rich resource, they worked to develop a way to preserve it; from their efforts was born Grana Padano, one of Italy's finest and oldest cheeses. Today, Agriform produces Grana Padano in almost exactly the same way that the monks made it over 900 years ago - though the addition of technological innovations allows for meticulous quality control that ensures a consistently uniform product. Each wheel of cheese is branded with the Grana Padano seal, which guarantees its quality and Protected Designation of Origin status, helping you be sure you're not settling for anything less than the best. Try Agriform's entire line of traditional Italian cheeses to explore ancient flavors fit for royalty!