'Expanding Flavors with Aging and Cutting' - Media Workshop Held to Experience the Charm of Grana Padano PDO

Grana Padano Cheese Protection Consortium, Workshop Scene The Grana Padano Cheese Protection Consortium recently held a media workshop as part of the joint campaign 'Happiness from Europe', developed in cooperation with the European Union (EU). This workshop, the first of two planned for the year, was held under the theme of 'Knowing Aging and Flavor.' Along with introducing the traditional production methods and background that support the quality of Grana Padano PDO, participants experienced changes in flavor and texture due to different aging periods through tasting. Furthermore, focusing on changes in taste due to different cutting methods, a session titled 'Slices Change and Expand the Flavor' compared the characteristics of three types of cuts: chunks, slices, and grated. First, participants simply tasted the inherent flavor of the ingredients, followed by menus arranged as dishes, multifaceted introducing the charm of Grana Padano PDO. Participants actually experienced that chunks allow one to feel the original flavor of the cheese more strongly, slices result in a milder taste, and grated cheese spreads umami evenly throughout the dish. We also explained the optimal cutting method for each dish. On the day, the following pairing menus were provided: Grana Padano PDO (Chunks): Balsamic vinegar and honey sauce, served with dates Grana Padano PDO (Slices): Chicory salad Grana Padano PDO (Grated): Milanese-style risotto Through this workshop, it became an opportunity to deepen understanding of the profound taste of Grana Padano PDO and its diverse ways of enjoyment. The second workshop is scheduled to be held in July 2026, and we will continue to broadcast the charm of Grana Padano PDO continuously in the future. Grana Padano PDO is a cheese with a history of about nine centuries, first made by monks in the Po Valley in northern Italy in 1135. This cheese uses partially skimmed raw milk from Italy and is made using traditional methods. It is aged for a minimum of 9 months, and particularly the type called 'Riserva' undergoes long-term aging for up to 24 months. Each wheel of cheese undergoes strict inspections, and a brand mark is stamped only if it meets all standards. The result is a naturally lactose-free cheese* that is rich in protein, calcium, and other essential nutrients. It is perfect for both daily meals and special dishes. Through a three-year project in cooperation with the EU, we hope that everyone in Japan will be able to experience the profound taste of this traditional cheese more widely. *Because lactose is naturally broken down during the manufacturing process of Grana Padano PDO, this product contains no lactose. Also, the galactose content is less than 10mg per 100g. Grana Padano Cheese Protection Consortium Japanese Official Website: https://happinessfromeu.com/jp/ Grana Padano Cheese Protection Consortium Japanese Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/granapadanopdo.jp/ Grana Padano PDO Cheese Display