Cheese Database

Grana Padano vs Reggianito

Grana Padano, field guide plate
Grana Padano, photographed

Grana Padano

Facts

Milk
Cow
Texture
Hard
Type
Pressed
Rind
Natural rind
Country
Italy
Place
Northern Italy
Status
PDO

Grana Padano is a hard cow's-milk grating cheese from a wide area of northern Italy. It belongs to the same family as Parmigiano-Reggiano, and it is a protected cheese.

Reggianito

Facts

Milk
Cow
Texture
Hard
Type
Pressed
Rind
Natural rind
Country
Argentina

Reggianito is a hard cow's milk cheese from Argentina. The name is a diminutive of Reggiano, and it points to a smaller everyday relative of the Italian grating cheeses. The paste is compact, pale gold, and granular, made to be broken or grated rather than cut in soft sheets. Salt and time give it a savory, nutty bite that holds up in a hot dish. It is the hard cheese many Argentine cooks reach for when a recipe needs a dry, sharp grate.