Mostarda and Grana Padano

Which mostarda should Grana Padano PDO be paired with?

To get the most out of this pairing, it is best to respect the characteristics of Grana Padano PDO dictated by its ripening and to select the type of mostarda, by identifying the most suitable type in relation to the pungency and/or sweetness and structure of the fruit or vegetable used to make it, in order to create the desired ‘harmonic contrast’ in the mouth.

In order to achieve this pleasant result, we recommend tasting a shaving of Grana Padano with a small piece of mostarda, to test the combinations and appreciate the ‘interplay’ between the sweetness/spiciness of the mostarda and the tangy flavour of the cheese, as well as the alternation of different structures perceived in the mouth that owe their variability, both to the fruit or vegetable used in the mostarda, and to the consistency of the Grana Padano, which becomes harder, grainier and richer in tyrosine crystals as it matures.

The final choice of the mostarda to pair is up to the consumer, based on his or her taste, but here we would like to suggest a few pairings that we find particularly suitable and that we would invite you to try.

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Grana Padano PDO 9-16 months

Suggested pairings:

  • Mantuan Mostarda with Abate Fetel and other cultivars
  • Cremonese mixed fruit mostarda
  • Quince jelly with mustard from Brescia

In particular, we recommend pairing the Grana Padano PDO cheeses aged 9 to 16 months with:

 

  • Mantuan mostarda with Abate Fetel and other cultivars
  • Cremonese mixed fruit mostarda
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Grana Padano PDO 16-20 months

Suggested pairings:

  • Quince mostarda
  • Pumpkin mostarda
  • Quince jelly with mustard
  • Cremonese cherry mostarda

In particular, we recommend pairing the Grana Padano PDO cheeses aged 16 to 20 months with:

 

  • Quince mostarda
  • Pumpkin mostarda
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Grana Padano PDO “Riserva” 20-24 months

Suggested pairings:

  • Campanino apple mostarda
  • Mantuan fig mostarda
  • Quince mostarda
  • Red onion mostarda

In particular, we recommend pairing the Grana Padano PDO “Riserva” cheeses aged 20 to 24 months with:

 

  • Campanino apple mostarda
  • Mantuan fig mostarda
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Grana Padano PDO “Riserva over 24 months

Suggested pairings:

  • Mostarda Veneta made with apples and candied fruit
  • Mantuan yellow onion mostarda
  • Campanino Apple mostarda
  • Mantuan fig mostarda

In particular, we recommend pairing the Grana Padano PDO “Riserva” cheeses aged over 24 months with:

 

  • Mostarda Veneta made with apples and candied fruit
  • Mantuan yellow onion mostarda.
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