Kamil Perry
Olive Garden is a popular chain restaurant known for its indulgent, flavourful, and cheesy dishes. The restaurant offers a range of cheesy options on its menu, including Chicken Alfredo and Five Cheese Ziti al Forno. The restaurant is also known for grating generous amounts of cheese on your pasta at the table. While the cheese is assumed to be Parmesan, it is actually Romano cheese. Olive Garden also offers packets of grated Romano cheese with its to-go orders. The restaurant sources some of its cheeses from Italy, including Pecorino Romano and potentially Parmigiano Reggiano, but it is not transparent about which cheeses are imported.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese used | Parmesan, Mozzarella, Pecorino Romano |
| Cheese origin | Italy |
| Cheese type | Parmesan is grated, Romano is grated at the table |
| Cheese grater | Zyliss |
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What You'll Learn
Olive Garden's cheese is imported from Italy
It is true that Olive Garden imports some of its cheese from Italy. However, it is unclear which cheeses are imported and which are not. The restaurant is not transparent about the sourcing of its cheeses, and it is difficult to confirm the specific regions from which the imported cheeses originate.
That being said, there are a few things we can deduce about the cheeses that Olive Garden uses. First, it is important to note that while parmesan cheese can be made anywhere in the world, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese must come from Italy and is strictly regulated. Only cheese made in designated provinces of Italy can obtain the Protected Designation of Origin (DOP) trademark. Since Olive Garden's menu lists only "parmesan" and not "Parmigiano Reggiano," we can assume that their parmesan is not the authentic Italian variety.
Another cheese that Olive Garden uses is Romano. While dining in at the restaurant, servers will come to the table and grate fresh cheese onto your pasta. This cheese is not parmesan, as some may assume, but rather Romano. When ordering takeout from Olive Garden, packets of grated Romano cheese are included, which have a similar flavor to parmesan. According to online sources, the exact brand of Romano cheese used by Olive Garden is Lotito.
In addition to parmesan and Romano, Olive Garden also uses mozzarella and Pecorino Romano in some of its dishes. Pecorino Romano, like Parmigiano Reggiano, must be made in a certain area to receive its DOP. According to Cheese.com, "production of Pecorino Romano is allowed only on the islands of Sardinia, Lazio, and in the Tuscan Province of Grosseto." Since the specific variety of cheese is listed on the Olive Garden menu, it is likely that this cheese is also imported from Italy.
While the exact sources of Olive Garden's cheeses may remain a mystery, it is clear that the restaurant uses a variety of cheeses to create its flavorful dishes. For diners who prioritize authenticity and sourcing, it is worth noting that at least some of Olive Garden's cheeses are imported from Italy, even if the restaurant does not advertise this fact.
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Parmesan, Romano, and Mozzarella are used
Olive Garden uses a variety of Italian cheeses in its dishes, including Parmesan, Romano, and Mozzarella. While the restaurant sources some of its cheeses from Italy, it is not transparent about which ones.
There has been some debate about whether the cheese grated onto pasta dishes at Olive Garden is actually Parmesan. Multiple sources, including self-identified employees, have claimed that the restaurant uses Romano cheese, which is cheaper and milder in flavour than Parmesan. Romano cheese can also contain sheep's milk, making it fattier and saltier than Parmesan.
Olive Garden does not specify the type of grated cheese it uses on its menu or website, but it is known to be generous with its cheese servings, both in-house and for takeout orders. The restaurant offers freshly grated cheese on every pasta dish, and takeout orders include complimentary cheese packets, allowing customers to add extra cheese to their meals.
While the authenticity of the cheese at Olive Garden may be uncertain, the restaurant ensures quality and flavour by using a variety of Italian cheeses in its dishes.
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The cheese is grated at the table
The cheese is grated at your table at Olive Garden, piled high until you say "when". But is it real Parmigiano Reggiano? Parmesan is a staple in Italian cooking, but Parmigiano Reggiano has to come from Italy and is strictly regulated. Only cheese made in designated provinces of Italy can obtain the Protected Designation of Origin (DOP) trademark. Olive Garden's menu lists only parmesan, not Parmigiano Reggiano, so we can assume it's not the real deal.
Olive Garden does source some of its cheeses from Italy, but it's not transparent about which ones. The chain imports six different varieties of cheese from Italy, but it's unconfirmed which are authentically Italian. The specific variety Pecorino Romano is likely to be from Italy, as it must be made in certain areas to receive its DOP. According to Cheese.com, "production of Pecorino Romano is allowed only on the islands of Sardinia, Lazio and in the Tuscan Province of Grosseto."
When you order takeout from Olive Garden, you get packets of grated Romano cheese, not Parmesan. It's a swap that makes sense, as Romano is cheaper and has a similar flavor to Parmesan. According to some sources, the cheese grated at the table is Romano, not Parmesan. The exact brand Olive Garden uses is said to be Lotito Romano Cheese. However, when you buy the Olive Garden cheese grater, it comes with parmesan cheese.
Olive Garden's cheese grater, the Zyliss, is beloved by patrons for its ability to distribute cheese quickly and easily. It features a steel drum for holding blocks of cheese and a hand crank that requires little pressure. It can also be used for baking, shaving chocolate and nuts, and shredding vegetables. It's available for purchase in Olive Garden stores and on Amazon.
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Olive Garden sells its cheese graters
Olive Garden is known for its indulgent, comforting, and cheesy dishes. The restaurant offers a range of cheesy options on its menu, from the tangy sharpness of parmesan to the creaminess of mozzarella. While there has been speculation about the authenticity of the cheese used in Olive Garden's dishes, with some wondering if it is imported from Italy, the restaurant has remained somewhat tight-lipped about the specific sources of their cheese.
However, one thing that has excited cheese lovers and fans of the restaurant chain is the discovery that Olive Garden sells its famous cheese graters in stores. That's right, you can now purchase the very same cheese grater used by Olive Garden staff to shower your pasta dishes with generous amounts of grated cheese.
TikTok creators and former employees have revealed that Olive Garden sells its beloved cheese graters, and enthusiasts have been thrilled by the news. The Zyliss cheese grater, as it is known, features a steel drum designed to hold blocks of parmesan and a hand crank that makes grating cheese a breeze. Its ease of use and efficiency have impressed many, with one shopper even comparing it to a "Ferrari of cheese graters."
Not only is the Zyliss cheese grater effective, but it is also versatile. In addition to grating cheese, it can be used for baking, shaving chocolate or nuts over desserts, and shredding carrots and zucchini for quick breads and cakes. The steel drum is removable and dishwasher-safe, making cleanup a breeze. The cheese grater is available for purchase at your local Olive Garden restaurant, and if you don't live near one, you can conveniently find it on Amazon for around $23. So, if you want to recreate the Olive Garden experience at home, complete with freshly grated cheese, this grater is a must-have tool.
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The cheese is likely not authentic Italian
While Olive Garden is known for its cheesy creations, the authenticity of its ingredients has been a topic of debate. The restaurant does source some of its cheeses from Italy, including Pecorino Romano and Parmigiano Reggiano, which are strictly regulated and can only be produced in certain Italian provinces. However, it is not transparent about which cheeses are imported, and the specific varieties of cheese used in its dishes are often not listed on the menu.
For example, while Olive Garden is famous for grating generous amounts of cheese at the table, this cheese is not Parmigiano Reggiano, as one might assume, but rather Romano, a cheaper alternative with a similar flavor profile. The restaurant also offers packets of grated Romano cheese with its to-go orders, further indicating that this is the variety used in-house.
Additionally, while Parmigiano Reggiano must be made in designated provinces of Italy to obtain the Protected Designation of Origin (DOP) trademark, Olive Garden's menu only lists "parmesan" as an ingredient, not "Parmigiano Reggiano." This suggests that their parmesan is not the authentic Italian variety.
Furthermore, the fact that Olive Garden does not specify the regions from which its imported cheeses originate indicates that their parmesan is unlikely to be authentic Parmigiano Reggiano. If it were, the restaurant would likely advertise it as such to enhance its reputation for authenticity.
In conclusion, while Olive Garden does import some cheeses from Italy, the lack of transparency and specific information on their menu suggests that their cheese is likely not entirely authentic Italian. This is particularly true for their parmesan cheese, which is likely not genuine Parmigiano Reggiano. For diners who value the sourcing and authenticity of ingredients, this information may be important when considering dining options.
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Frequently asked questions
Olive Garden uses grated Parmesan or Romano cheese over its pasta. While the cheese is Italian-style, it is not authentic Parmigiano Reggiano, which must be made in designated provinces of Italy to obtain the Protected Designation of Origin (DOP) trademark.
Olive Garden does not use authentic Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, which must be made in Italy. However, the cheese used is Italian-style, and the restaurant has disclosed the use of "grated Romano" on its social media accounts.
Olive Garden imports six different varieties of cheese from Italy, according to a report by ABC News. However, it is unclear which cheeses are imported or their specific regions of origin.
Olive Garden offers a range of cheese-heavy dishes, including Lasagna Classico, Ravioli Carbonara, and Five Cheese Ziti al Forno. The restaurant is also known for its unlimited refills on breadsticks, which often accompany meals.
