Is it possible to get vegetarian grana padano cheese?
My wife is vegetarian and, since meeting her, I've come to realise that all Grana Padano seems to be non-vegetarian. Is this really the case, or are my local supermarkets just not stocking the veggie stuff? Would be a shame for her to miss out on so many things (esp. pesto) just because of this.
Thanks.
Best Answer
You may be able to find vegetarian Grana Padano style cheese, but I don't think you will find the real thing in vegetarian form.
This is because the making of Grana Padano is still a traditional process and true GP cheese is only produced in certain regions of Italy. It in fact has P.D.O. (Protected Designation of Origin) status, which means that only those cheeses produced in certain regions and using certain methods can legally be called Grana Padano. I imagine one of those methods is using animal rennet.
I would be surprised that there isn't some form of substitute available in Italy, as they have the highest proportion of vegetarians in Europe at 10%. I get the feeling, however, that they are perhaps less zealous about it than others if it means giving up good cheese.
The only suggestion I have found as an alternative to GP as something to sprinkle on pasta etc is nutritional yeast powder, which apparently has a similar nutty, creamy taste. Not ideal, but if you make the choice to be veggie you have to take the rough with the smooth!
I see from your profile that you live in the UK; we are lucky in that we have a lot of fantastic small local producers, so it may be worth looking up some local dairies or cheesemakers and seeing if they can offer an alternative.
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Quick Answer about "Is it possible to get vegetarian grana padano cheese?"
Pure in ingredients, Grana Padano is free from artificial fillers, preservatives and additives, resulting in an unpasteurised and gluten free cheese. The addition of rennet however, makes this cheese unfit for vegetarians.Why is Grana Padano not vegetarian?
And Parmesan is not the only cheese to contain calf rennet. Grana Padano and Gorgonzola are other Italian cheeses with rennet in the recipe. Others include Gruyere, Manchego, Emmenthal, Pecorino Romano, Mimolette, Camembert, Boucheron and Vacherin.Is Grana Padano made with rennet?
RENNET. Rennet enables the milk to curdle. As established by the Production Specifications, the rennet used in the production of Grana Padano is extracted from the calf's stomach (abomasum).Is Sainsbury Grana Padano vegetarian?
No. Grana Padano's traditional recipe uses animal rennett and because it has DOP protection under EU law, no cheese made to any other recipe can be sold as 'Grana Padano'.Is Tesco Grana Padano vegetarian?
Great quality cheese, non-veggie (get over it!) Like Parmigiano this traditional Italian cheese is NON-vegetarian, it's one of its peculiar features.The Making of Grana Padano cheese.
More answers regarding is it possible to get vegetarian grana padano cheese?
Answer 2
I Buy kosher Grana Padano:http://www.collaspa.it/en/index.php
Since we can't use animal rennet,it is vegetarian and it says so on their web page.
Answer 3
You can get a cheese named Grandi Pascoli from QuatrtroColli. Its is a grana padano made With vegetable rennet. This is especially made for vegetarian use.
Answer 4
No. Grana Padano's traditional recipe uses animal rennett and because it has DOP protection under EU law, no cheese made to any other recipe can be sold as 'Grana Padano'.
Answer 5
Try Grana Padano Tipo, which contains a modified enzyme. It's used by a leading vegetarian restaurant in Brighton, for its full flavour.
Answer 6
I believe the best vegetarian alternative is Gran Mantovano. It's made in Italy by a reputable maker of Grana Padano and Parmigiano Reggiano and in my opinion is an excellent substitute for Grana Padano. It is made specifically for vegetarians.
Answer 7
There is indeed a fabulous Italian Hard Cheese that is Vegetarian. It's called Quattrocento and is made by Granarolo. You can buy it at Waitrose or from idelionline.com
It's a smoother texture but still packs a punch so cooks and eats the same as a parmesan or PDO product
It is made with microbial rennet and is preservative free so a much cleaner ingredient deck than a few other cheeses of a similar style
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