Grand Padano with Blue Cheese undertones?

[angelo04]

Last night my wife made Fettuccine Alfredo for dinner. She used grated Grand Padano, not a far stretch from Parmigiano-Reggiano. And it was already grated. We both couldn't help but notice a strong blue cheese taste, more like a Gorgonzola. Has this ever happened too you? I guess this cheese wasn't so fresh when it was grated or maybe it was beginning too turn. Any ideas?

[cheesemaestro]

Good Grana Padano shouldn't remind you of a blue cheese. Resist the temptation to buy pregrated cheese for the sake of convenience and do as ospreycove recommends. Buy a whole piece and grate only as much as you need. Even if a pregrated cheese hasn't gone bad, the flavor of freshly grated cheese will always be vastly superior.

[Richelle]

I have discovered grana pandano only this last year, getting it at Costco when it runs out of Parmesan, I have never noticed a blue cheese smell or aged smell. Perhaps it was indeed going bad.
Better luck next time!

[C. Hamster]

I think you mean grana padano.

Of course, its taste will depend on its age and quality, but IMO, it should not taste strongly of blue cheese. It should taste very much like PR.

You might consider taking it back for a refund (bring wrapper or container if you used it all).

[ospreycove]

We use Grana Padano regularly on dishes that don't need the robust quality of the more expensive, Parmigiano Reggiano. A suggestion, always buy any cheese by the piece and grate it at service. COSTCO in my area has a very good Grana Padano by the piece as well as also a Parmigiano Reggiano that is good.