Grana Padano PDO: an Italian history that reaches tables across Europe

Grana Padano PDO is one of the great symbols of Italian gastronomy. Its history began almost a thousand years ago and today continues far beyond Italy's borders, reaching the kitchens of pizzerias and restaurants throughout Europe.

For those looking for Italian products for pizzerias and restaurants, Grana Padano is a versatile, well-known professional product that can be used in a wide range of preparations.

The history of Grana Padano: it all began in 1135

The origins of Grana Padano traditionally date back to 1135, at the Chiaravalle Abbey near Milan.

During the Middle Ages, Cistercian monks developed agriculture and livestock farming in the area, significantly increasing the availability of milk. A way to preserve it for longer was therefore needed.

This led to the creation of a hard cheese designed for long maturation, known by the monks as caseus vetus, meaning “old cheese”. Local people instead began calling it “grana”, referring to the characteristic grainy texture of its paste.

From this need to preserve milk, a tradition began that is still alive almost a thousand years later.

In 1954, the Grana Padano Protection Consortium was established, and in 1996 Grana Padano obtained PDO – Protected Designation of Origin status from the European Union, protecting the product, its territory and its production method.

Grana Padano for pizzerias and restaurants

Today, Grana Padano is used in countless professional kitchen preparations.

For a pizzeria, it can be used grated or in flakes to finish pizzas, focaccias and other dishes. In restaurants, it is used in pasta dishes, risottos, starters and many recipes from Italian cuisine.

The maturation period also allows professionals to choose between different characteristics: shorter maturations have a more delicate profile, while longer maturations develop a more intense flavour and a more granular texture.

For this reason, Grana Padano for professional catering can be selected according to the type of cuisine, the intended use and the desired result.

Wholesale Grana Padano: from Italy to Europe

Grana Padano has become an international product. In 2025, 2,757,930 wheels were exported, representing more than 104,800 tonnes.

Germany is one of the most important foreign markets for Grana Padano and, more generally, demand for Italian cheeses for pizzerias and restaurants is present in many European countries.

For a restaurant owner, it can therefore be interesting to buy Grana Padano directly from Italy, together with the other ingredients needed for their business.

An Italian supplier for pizzerias and restaurants

For those running a pizzeria or restaurant in Germany, Austria, France, Belgium, the Netherlands or other European markets, purchasing Italian products does not necessarily mean dealing with a different supplier for every category.

With Speedita, pizzerias and restaurants can find Grana Padano, Italian cheeses and other professional food products directly from Italy, managing their purchases through a single B2B channel.

The goal is simple: to make it easier for European professionals to buy Italian products wholesale and have them delivered directly from Italy.

A story that began in 1135 continues to travel across Europe today, this time reaching the tables of pizzerias and restaurants.

Speedita – Italian food, delivered across Europe.