Grana Padano Nutritional Properties
Grana Padano is a cheese naturally rich in essential nutrients, the result of genuine ingredients, traditional craftsmanship, and a long ageing process. Thanks to its high concentration of high biological value proteins, vitamins, and minerals such as calcium and phosphorus, it represents a valuable food within a balanced diet: a distinctive taste that combines tradition and nutritional well-being.
Nutritional values and calories of Grana Padano
Grana Padano naturally lactose free
Nutritional table of Grana Padano
Macronutrients
Proteins
Grana Padano DOP contains milk proteins which have been greatly concentrated, due to the long ageing, and improved from a nutritional viewpoint.
Furthermore, recent important scientific studies have highlighted that 12-month matured Grana Padano PDO is proven to help in the treatment of hypertension, reducing and often normalising blood pressure in subjects with high blood pressure problems.
Grana Padano PDO has been shown to contain various protein fragments – bioactive oligopeptides – that are capable of modulating the physiological functions of the body. Among these, 2 tripeptides, in particular (VPP and IVP), have shown a favourable vasodilator effect (lowering blood pressure), due to the inhibition of a particular enzyme (the angiotensin-converting enzyme). These act in exactly the same way as the more common (and effective) hypertension drugs (the ACE inhibitors).
Fats
<em>SATURATED fat: 18,4 g</em>
<em>MONOUNSATURED fat: 7,4 g</em>
<em>POLYUNSATURATED: 1,1 g</em>
<em>Cholesterol: 98,3 mg</em>
Micronutrients
Mineral salts
It also supplies a high amount of other mineral salts:
– Iodine, essential for the thyroid
– Selenium, which helps fight free radicals
– Magnesium, for the development and maintenance of the bone structure and to stimulate muscles and nerves
– Phosphorus, for the proper functioning of brain cells and the strengthening of teeth and bones
Calcium: 1165,0 mg
Phosphorus: 692,0 mg
Potassium: 120 mg
Magnesium: 63 mg
Zinc: 11 mg
Copper: 0,5 mg
Iron: 0,14 mg
Calcium / phosphorous ratio: 1,7
Salt: 1,5 g
Iodine: 35,5 µg
Selenium: 12 µg
Vitamins
Vitamin A: 224 µg
Vitamin B1: 20 µg
Vitamina B2: 0,36 mg
Vitamin B6: 0,12 mg
Vitamin B12: 3,0 µg
Vitamin D3: 0,5 µg
Vitamin PP: 3,0 µg
Vitamin E: 206 µg
Pantothenic acid: 246 µg
Choline: 20,0 mg
Biotin: 6,0 µg
Is the rind of Grana Padano edible?
Grana Padano PDO is a safe food, as specific testing has shown that the production process set in the Production Specification Rules guarantees the elimination of any pathogens potentially present in the raw milk used, which might subsequently develop in the cheese. This occurs as a result of the combined effect of the temperature and pH established during the production process of the wheel, thanks to natural lactic fermentation, which continues for several hours.
The outermost part of the cheese gradually becomes rind. It first begins to form around 24 hours after production, completing its development thanks first to the salting of the cheese in brine and then to the subsequent maturing process, which must last a minimum of 9 months. During this time, the rind hardens to protect the cheese inside.
The wheels are left to mature in dedicated warehouses with controlled temperature and humidity. Over the long months of maturing, the wheels are regularly brushed, cleaned and turned; this not only favours the loss of humidity but also eliminates any surface contamination by moulds present in the environment, which could form on the surface as a result of natural exudation.
Hence, during the maturing phase, the Grana Padano PDO rind acts as a barrier against any external agents which could compromise the cheese.
Once the cheese obtains the Grana Padano PDO fire-brand, it can be sold subsequent to cleaning and, in some cases, transformed into portions, grated cheese, chunks, flakes or other processed products.
The Grana Padano PDO rind is therefore an integral part of the cheese and is perfectly edible once the outermost surface has been carefully cleaned, as with the peel of an apple, for example; indeed, in accordance with the Production Specification Rules, the rind does not undergo any chemical treatments and is not covered by any colouring or plastic material.
As for all non-pre-packaged foods, all those who come into contact with the product at any stage of the sales chain are obliged to implement a HACCP system, in compliance with food industry requirements.
Proper application of the HACCP system ensures the food safety and edibility of the rind of Grana Padano PDO cheese.
The use of the rind of this cheese as a food product is therefore correct, permitted and indeed included among the ingredients in a number of recipes.
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