Despite their apparent similarity, there are key differences between Parmesan and Grana Padano. They are both of Italian origin, but from different regions of the country. Parmesan can only be made in Parma, Bologna and Reggio Emilia, whereas Grana Padano is from the Po River Valley. The main differences between Parmigiano Reggiano (aka Parmesan) and Grana Padano are: Grana Padano is made over a much larger area - partly because of this the price tends to be lower. About 4,800,000 wheels of Grana Padano are produced each year (compared to about 3,400,000 wheels of Parmigiano-Reggiano), making this Italy's most produced cheese. Differences Between Grana Padano and Parmesan. While both cheeses are hard Italian cheeses made using cow's milk, there are some key differences between them. Flavor: As mentioned above, Parmesan has a more pronounced nutty flavor compared to Grana Padano's milder fruity taste. Age: Parmesan is aged for a minimum of 12 months, while Grana One of the differences between this one and Grana Padano is that it is made in the region of Emilia Romagna, Piedmont, Veneto, Trentino/Alto Adige and Lombardy while Parmigiano Reggiano is made in the region of Bologna, Parma, Mantua, or Modena. It is also aged and has a much sharper flavor than Grana Padano. 2. Different Taste And Consistency Grana Padano is sold in three different age profiles: Between 9 and 16 months: Softer, pale yellow, milky, and delicate flavor. Over 16 months: Crumbly, with a crystalline structure. Creamer flavor with notes of hay. Riserva (over 20 months): Grainy, with a flaky structure. Aromas of butter, nuts, and dried fruit. Grana Padano Like Parmigiano-Reggiano, Grana Padano is a golden, hard-rind cheese made using cow's milk. The production region is much larger than that of the King of Cheeses, and, at nine Parmigiano Reggiano, Parmesan and Grana Padano are known in Italy as ' Grana ' cheeses. Grana is a type of hard, mature cheese with a granular texture, most often used for grating. Grana cheeses are typically made in the form of large wheels. ypirIMT.