Grana Padano DOP and Preserves

The sweet and harmonious flavour of the younger Grana Padano, with its fresh notes of milk and cream, finds a natural partner in apricot preserve. Its soft, fruity sweetness enhances the delicacy of the cheese without overpowering it, creating a light, elegant, and immediately pleasant pairing.

Apricot preserve, with its velvety texture and gentle acidity, envelops the palate and perfectly complements the sweetness of the Grana Padano, offering a simple yet surprising taste.

A perfect pairing for an aperitif, for a cheeseboard with delicate notes, or to accompany freshly baked warm focaccia.

Interesting Facts:

– The best apricot preserves maintain a natural balance between sugars and acidity, a characteristic that makes them particularly versatile for pairing with young and medium-aged cheeses, just like this maturation of Grana Padano DOP!

– The apricot is one of the fruits with the highest carotene content, responsible for its typical amber colour and the intense fragrance that recalls summer.

When Grana Padano is aged over 16 months, its flavour becomes more savoury, persistent, and aromatic, with a more distinct graininess. It is precisely at this stage that ginger preserve finds its natural enhancement: the spicy, fresh, and slightly pungent note of ginger creates a lively and intriguing contrast with the cheese, highlighting its increasing complexity.

The sweetness of the preserve softens the piquancy of the ginger, while its spicy energy gives new impetus to the flavour of the Grana Padano, creating a perfectly balanced combination.

An ideal pairing for those who wish to experiment with more refined and modern combinations, perfect for an unusual snack break.

Interesting Facts:

– Ginger preserves are often made with fresh candied ginger, which retains natural citrus and balsamic notes.

– In Asia, ginger is traditionally used to enhance savoury and umami-rich dishes: a combination that, when applied to Grana Padano, works perfectly!

Grana Padano DOP “Riserva” over 20 months presents a more mature and complex aromatic profile, with notes of dried fruit, butter, and broth. The citrus preserve, whether orange, mandarin, or citron, offers the ideal contrast: freshness, a slight bitter edge, and a lively acidity that cleanses the palate and invites the next bite.

The combination of the richness of the cheese and the freshness of the citrus creates an extraordinary harmony, in which neither element dominates, but both highlight the characteristics of the other.

A perfect pairing for a gourmet aperitif or to conclude a tasting menu with a Mediterranean touch.

Interesting Facts:

– Quality citrus marmalades also contain the rind, which is responsible for the pleasant bitter note that makes them ideal with mature cheeses.

– In pastry making, citrus fruits are often used to “lighten” rich desserts: the same principle works perfectly with Grana Padano DOP “Riserva”.

In the longest maturations, Grana Padano “Riserva” expresses all its aromatic power: marked savouriness, tyrosine crystals, notes of dried fruit, spices, and a deep umami flavour. Onion compote is the ideal companion for such a rich profile: the caramelised sweetness of the onion, combined with its natural roundness, creates a perfect balance with the savouriness and intensity of the cheese.

The soft, enveloping structure of the compote blends with the crumbly texture of the mature Grana Padano, offering a refined and unforgettable taste contrast.

A perfect pairing for those who love intense flavours, to be served alongside dessert wines, full-bodied beers, or smooth spirits.

Interesting Facts:

– Onion compote is often prepared with red varieties, which are sweeter and more aromatic, and develop notes similar to caramel and ripe fruit during cooking.

– It is a speciality widely used in French and Northern Italian cuisine, where it traditionally accompanies mature cheeses and roasted meats.