American Grana
- Producer
- BelGioioso Cheese Co.
- Country
- United States
- Region
- Wisconsin
- Size
- 8” tall, 14.5” diameter
- Weight
- 70 lbs
- Website
- www.belgioioso.com
- Milk
- Cow
- Treatment
- Raw
- Classification
- Hard
- Rennet
- Animal
- Rind
- Natural
- Style
- Grana / Grating cheese
Founded by Errico Auricchio, BelGioioso Cheese is a cheesemaking operation based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Errico comes from a family of cheese makers who have been producing Provolone in Italy for over a century. In 1979, he moved his family to the United States and opened his own Italian cheese company.
Over the last thirty years, BelGioioso has grown to include seven manufacturing facilities in Northeastern Wisconsin. Using the milk of Wisconsin dairy farmers, the company produces over 25 types of cheese. However, each facility produces only a select few of these cheeses, thereby ensuring high quality and consistency. This has resulted in multiple awards, including several United States, World and American Cheese Society Awards.
American Grana is based on the famous Grana Padano of Italy. Made from raw cow’s milk, it is aged for a minimum of 18 months in BelGoioso’s caves. During its maturation, the cheese is turned twice a week by hand to ensure even aging.
Tasting Notes
As a result, this cheese’s light yellow paste and a hard, granular texture with a touch more moisture than Italian Grana Padano. The flavor of American Grana is of rich, roasted nuts and salty sharpness, which lingers on the tongue.
Pairings
This cheese has the perfect texture to grate over pasta dishes or salads, and can also be served with fresh green apples or grapes. It is best paired with complex beers and ales, or bold red wines, especially Italian reds made from Tempranillo grapes.
