PROVOLONE VALPADANA PDO
OUR MOTTO
BORN TO BE AUTHENTIC PROVOLONE VALPADANA PDO, FROM THE HEART OF EUROPE, IRRESTITABLE IN ANY FORM
OUR HISTORY
Provolone Valpadana, a European excellence produced in Italy, is a stretched curd cheese that holds the record for the greatest variety of shapes and weights compared to any other dairy product.
But it is its identity that is unmistakable. It is a cheese with character, both in the mild and strong version. The perfect embodiment of the values of uniqueness, quality, authenticity, tradition and bond with the areas of European products with a Protected Designation of Origin.
ORIGINS
Provolone Valpadana belongs to the family of stretched curd cheeses, thus defined through the curd ‘spinning’ technique, which has ancient origins. This practice takes its name from spinning wool, in the sense that the cheese curd is mature when it is heated and, when pulled, it stretches to form very long threads: just 10 grams of curd can be stretched up to one meter!
The first appearance of this Italian cheese dates back to the Middle Ages, in southern Italy, although it is then in Val Padana (Northern Italy) in the second half of the 19th century that Provolone Valpadana cheese is defined as such.
DENOMINATION
The name “Provolone” appears in literature for the first time in 1871, to indicate a large provola cheese.A wholly original cheese, which stands out from other stretched curds widespread in southern Italy as it is large in size, capable of maturing for a long time, without drying excessively and therefore without becoming grated cheese.
The denomination of origin ‘Valpadana’ was added to ‘Provolone’ in 1993 (Prime Ministerial Decree 09-04-1993), crowning a centuries-old tradition and which established the characteristics for which the cheese is known and appreciated.
NUTRITIONAL VALUES
Provolone Valpadana is a noble source of energy, necessary to face the days with the right balance between fats and proteins, without being rich in calories.
It has no sugar, but does have a large amount of positive nutrients:
- calcium, necessary for bone and skeletal health
- phosphorus, provides energy to our brain and helps memory
- vitamins A, B and PP, which, together with amino acids, are a precious source of nourishment.
DIFFERENT SHAPES, SAME QUALITY
Provolone Valpadana comes in different shapes. Each must bear the Consortium and P.D.O. marking, unequivocal guarantees of quality.
The most common are:
Salami: is the most common shape used and cut for large-scale distribution. It is also the most common shape used for large sizes.
Melon/pear: featuring a wider base and a narrower top, this is the most recognizable shape of Provolone Valpadana.
Tapered trunk: Conical trunk: this shape is commonly referred to as gigantic.
Flask-shaped: the smallest available size is made up of a sphere surmounted by a ‘hat,’ which is used for binding.
Other accepted shapes for Provolone Valpadana are:
- Pancettone
- Gigantino
- Mandarone
- Fiaschetta
- Provoletta
Each shape allows the mild or strong flavour to express itself at its best. Generally, the smaller shapes are those of a mild Provolone Valpadana. The larger sizes are preferred for strong Provolone, because they have the right chemical and physical characteristics to cope with the long aging process.
YOU RECOGNIZE IT FROM THE ROSETTE
Recognizing the real Provolone Valpadana PDO is amazingly simple, just look for the rosette!
This round ‘rosette’ depicting a yellow provolone on a green background, is the logo that must be affixed to all packets on sale, to guarantee the quality of the product and to avoid any form of counterfeiting. The Consortium, the voluntary body that was set up through the determination of many passionate and determined people to give an identity to and properly promote Provolone Valpadana PDO, supervises the protection of the trademark. These people are both the dairy owners, from where the cheese comes, and the breeders of the cows that produce the milk needed.
THE PROTECTION CONSORTIUM
The Protection Consortium is the authoritative and official body, the face of the raw material (milk) producers, processors and seasoners, created to protect and guarantee the characteristics and make the Provolone Valpadana PDO known.
The Consortium acts both internally, as a shield to protect all protagonists in the supply chain from any type of unfair competition, and towards consumers, to defend them from fraud, counterfeiting and related economic and health damage.