Cheese Gran Maddalena

Formaggio Gran Maddalena belongs to the great family of cooked-paste cheeses of the grana padano type produced in the Po Valley: a direct legacy of the medieval cheese revolution launched by the Cistercian monks of the 12th century, which transformed the milk surpluses of the drained Padana into hard, long-lasting cheeses destined for the markets of half of Europe. The name Gran Maddalena visually and conceptually recalls the category of great aged Padanian cheeses - the prefix Gran is historically associated with grainy-paste cheeses. Produced with pasteurised cow's milk from Padanian origin, Gran Maddalena follows the cooked-paste technique: the curd is heated to above 53 degrees C, the whey is expelled almost completely, and the wheel is pressed and brined. The progressive ageing - starting from 12 months and extending beyond 24 - develops in the paste a compact structure with fine and regular eyes, a straw colour that intensifies over time, and an aromatic profile that evolves from the sweet and buttery notes of young versions towards dried fruit, broth and spices with ageing. Very aged versions are suitable for grating with performance comparable to Grana Padano.

• Temperature: 4-8 degrees C, wrapped in cheese paper
• For versions aged over 18 months: tolerance up to 10-12 degrees C in a cool pantry
• Do not freeze the piece; grated cheese can be frozen in airtight bags
• Use within 3-5 weeks of opening

In the kitchen: Shaved on a board with acacia honey and walnuts for young versions. Grated over risotto, minestrone, pasta al forno in aged versions. As a final mantecatura for risottos and legume soups off the heat. On toasted bread croutons with a drizzle of EVO oil and black pepper. Paired with Barbera d'Asti, Dolcetto d'Alba or structured white wines for young versions.

Gran Maddalena is produced in compliance with current European regulations for cooked-paste cheeses without a specific PDO or PGI, fitting into the Padanian tradition of long-aged cheeses with a traceable pasteurised cow's milk supply chain. Quality is guaranteed by the selection of raw materials and the certified production process.

• Allergens: pasteurised cow's milk
• Lactose: minimal residue in versions aged over 12 months
• Gluten: absent
• Pregnancy: suitable - pasteurised milk, long ageing
• Vegan/vegetarian: not suitable (animal rennet)