Frederic Melton
Olive Garden is known for its generous offering of freshly grated cheese on pasta dishes. Many assume that this cheese is Parmesan, but it is actually Romano or a blend of Romano and Parmesan. Romano cheese is typically made from sheep's milk and has a strong, salty, and tangy flavor. It is cheaper than Parmesan, which may explain why Olive Garden uses it. According to online sources and former employees, Olive Garden sources its Romano cheese from Lotito Foods, a New Jersey-based company. Lotito Foods supplies Olive Garden with Romano cheese blocks that are specifically designed to fit in its cheese graters.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brand | Lotito |
| Type of Cheese | Romano or a blend of Romano and Parmesan |
| Cheese Source | Italy |
| Cheese Grating | Until the customer says "stop" |
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What You'll Learn
Olive Garden's cheese is Romano, not Parmesan
Many people assume that the cheese grated on top of their Olive Garden entrees is Parmesan. However, it is actually Romano cheese or a blend of Romano and Parmesan. Olive Garden has confirmed this on its social media. The cheese is supplied by Lotito Foods, a New Jersey-based company, and is specifically designed to fit in its cheese graters.
Romano cheese has a strong, salty, and tangy flavor that is often described as intense or robust. It is made from sheep's milk, although there are versions made with cow's milk or a combination of sheep's and cow's milk. Parmesan, on the other hand, is typically made from cow's milk and has a nuttier and fruitier flavor with a hint of saltiness. It is slightly milder in taste compared to Romano.
The use of Romano cheese instead of Parmesan may be due to cost considerations, as Romano is much cheaper than Parmesan. This is especially significant considering Olive Garden's policy of allowing customers to have as much cheese as they want, even if it means using up several blocks at a time. In addition, when you order Olive Garden to-go, you receive packets of grated Romano cheese, not Parmesan. The flavor of Romano cheese is similar enough to Parmesan that it can be used as a substitute in Olive Garden's dishes without compromising the taste that customers expect.
While Olive Garden does source some of its cheeses from Italy, it is not transparent about which ones those are. The menu offers a range of Italian cheeses, including Parmesan, Asiago, Mozzarella, and Ricotta. However, it is unlikely that the Parmesan used by Olive Garden is authentic Parmigiano Reggiano from Italy, as it does not carry the Protected Designation of Origin (DOP) mark of quality.
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Olive Garden imports six varieties of cheese from Italy
Olive Garden is known for its generous offering of freshly grated cheese on pasta dishes. While many assume that the cheese is Parmesan, it is actually Romano or a blend of Romano and Parmesan. Romano cheese is typically made from sheep's milk, although there are versions made with cow's milk or a combination of the two. It is characterised by a strong, salty, and tangy flavour. Parmesan, on the other hand, is usually made from cow's milk and has a slightly milder, nutty, and fruity taste with a hint of saltiness.
Olive Garden sources its Romano cheese from Lotito Foods, a New Jersey-based company. The cheese comes in blocks that are specifically designed to fit in the restaurant's cheese graters. While Olive Garden does not disclose the origins of all its cheeses, it has been confirmed that the restaurant imports six varieties of cheese from Italy. These include classic Italian cheeses like mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmesan, as well as Asiago, and Pecorino Romano.
Mozzarella, a staple in Italian cuisine, is featured in dishes such as the Lasagna Classico at Olive Garden. Parmesan, another well-known Italian cheese, is commonly grated over pasta dishes. While Parmesan can be produced anywhere in the world, Parmigiano Reggiano, its regulated Italian counterpart, can only be made in designated provinces of Italy. This distinction is important as true Parmigiano Reggiano will bear the Protected Designation of Origin (DOP) trademark. However, as Olive Garden's menu lists "Parmesan" without specifying Parmigiano Reggiano, it is unlikely that they are using the Italian-regulated variety.
Pecorino Romano, another variety of cheese used by Olive Garden, is likely sourced from Italy. This assumption is based on the fact that the menu specifically lists "Pecorino," indicating a higher likelihood of it being the authentic Italian version. Asiago, a tangy and sharp Italian cheese, is also part of the selection imported from Italy.
By importing these six varieties of cheese from Italy, Olive Garden adds a touch of authenticity to its dishes, providing diners with a flavourful experience that showcases some of Italy's most beloved cheeses.
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Olive Garden's Parmesan may not be real Parmigiano Reggiano
Olive Garden is known for its generous offering of freshly grated cheese on pasta dishes. Many assume that this cheese is Parmesan, but there is evidence to suggest that it is not. While the cheese used is real Italian-style cheese, multiple self-identified Olive Garden employees have alleged that the restaurant chain uses Romano cheese, which is cheaper than Parmesan. In a 2016 interview, Chris Lotito, the founder of Lotito Foods, confirmed that his company supplies Olive Garden with Romano cheese blocks designed to fit in its cheese graters.
Parmigiano Reggiano cheese has a protected designation of origin (DOP) and must come from Italy. If Olive Garden's parmesan is real Parmigiano Reggiano, it should display the DOP mark of quality. However, because the menu only lists "parmesan" and not "Parmigiano Reggiano," it can be assumed that their parmesan is not the real deal.
Romano cheese, on the other hand, can be made anywhere in the world. It is typically made from sheep's milk, although there are versions made with cow's milk or a combination of both. Romano has a strong, salty, and tangy flavor that is often described as intense or robust. It is slightly saltier than Parmesan, which has a nuttier and fruitier flavor profile.
While some may be disappointed to learn that Olive Garden's parmesan may not be authentic Parmigiano Reggiano, the restaurant's generous offering of freshly grated cheese remains a popular attraction for many customers. Ultimately, the taste and quality of the cheese may be more important to the average consumer than its origin or exact variety.
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Olive Garden uses Lotito brand Romano cheese
Olive Garden is known for its generous offering of freshly grated cheese on pasta dishes. Many assume that this cheese is Parmesan, but it is actually Romano or a blend of Romano and Parmesan. Romano cheese has a strong, salty, and tangy flavor that is often described as intense or robust. It is made from sheep's milk, cow's milk, or a combination of the two.
According to a 2016 interview with Chris Lotito, the founder of Lotito Foods, his company supplies Olive Garden with Romano cheese blocks designed to fit in its cheese graters. Lotito Foods is based in New Jersey and provides Olive Garden with cheese that is specifically cut to fit the chain's graters. This change was implemented after employees struggled to cut up the large 50-pound Romano cheese wheels that were previously used.
Reddit users claiming to be former Olive Garden employees have also confirmed that the restaurant uses Lotito brand Romano cheese. One user shared that a manager told them the cheese was from Lotito, and another mentioned that the images of Lotito Romano cheese online look exactly like the cheese used at Olive Garden. While the exact brand may not be crucial, using a high-quality pecorino Romano cheese is recommended for the best results.
Olive Garden's use of Romano cheese instead of Parmesan could be due to cost considerations, as Romano is typically cheaper. Additionally, the restaurant may source its cheese from Italy, as they offer several Italian cheese varieties, such as mozzarella, ricotta, and Pecorino Romano. However, they are not transparent about the specific sources of their cheeses.
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Romano cheese is cheaper than Parmesan
While many people assume that the cheese grated at the tables in Olive Garden is Parmesan, it is actually Romano cheese. This is likely because the two cheeses have similar flavors, and Romano is much cheaper than Parmesan. Parmesan (Parmigiano Reggiano) is expensive because it can only be made in a particular region of Italy. The protected designation of origin (DOP) trademark ensures that only cheese made in designated provinces of Italy can be labeled as Parmigiano Reggiano.
Romano cheese, on the other hand, can be produced anywhere in the world, which contributes to its lower cost. According to one source, good Romano costs about a third as much as good Parmesan. This price difference can be attributed to the shorter aging process of Romano cheese. While Parmesan is typically aged for 18-36 months, Romano is aged for a shorter period, resulting in a less developed flavor profile.
In addition to its affordability, Romano cheese is a popular substitute for Parmesan due to its similar flavor characteristics. Both cheeses have a salty and tangy flavor profile, although Parmesan's flavor is more subtle and nuanced. Romano cheese is also sharper and brinier than Parmesan, making it a preferred choice for certain dishes. For example, cooks may opt for Parmesan when making risotto, fettuccine alfredo, or Caesar salads, while Romano is often used for other pasta dishes.
While Romano cheese is a suitable and more economical alternative to Parmesan in many cases, there are some dishes where the unique flavor and texture of Parmesan are essential. For instance, Parmesan is the preferred choice for spaghetti carbonara and fettuccine alfredo. Additionally, those seeking the authentic flavor and texture of Parmigiano Reggiano may find that Romano cheese does not quite match their expectations. Nevertheless, for those looking for a budget-friendly option that still delivers a salty, tangy flavor, Romano cheese is a worthy contender.
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Frequently asked questions
Olive Garden uses Lotito brand Romano cheese.
Olive Garden does source some of its cheeses from Italy, but it is not transparent about which ones. However, it is known that the restaurant uses Romano cheese, which is not an Italian cheese.
Olive Garden uses Parmesan cheese in a blend with Romano cheese. However, it is not confirmed whether the Parmesan is authentic Parmigiano Reggiano from Italy.
Romano cheese is cheaper than Parmesan, and it has a strong, salty, and tangy flavor that is often described as intense or robust.
No, when you order Olive Garden to-go, you get packets of grated Romano cheese, not Parmesan. The flavor is identical, but Romano is cheaper.
