What's The Secret Cheese Sprinkle Of Olive Garden?

Olive Garden is known for its generous sprinkling of cheese on pasta and salads. While many assume it is parmesan, it is actually Romano cheese. The cheese is freshly grated at the table, and diners are invited to say when they want the server to stop. Olive Garden also sells its cheese graters in-store and online, and fans of the restaurant have been quick to purchase them. The chain has also released a holiday merchandise collection, including a Seasons Gratings sweatshirt, socks, and even breadstick plush toys.

Olive Garden's cheese is Romano, not Parmesan

If you're a fan of the Olive Garden, you'll know that one of the best parts of eating there is the cheese. That moment when the server comes to your table and freshly grates a generous helping of cheese onto your pasta is hard to beat. But did you know that the cheese they're grating isn't Parmesan? It's actually Romano cheese.

There are a few reasons why you might assume it's Parmesan. For one, Parmesan is a staple in Italian cooking, and Olive Garden is known for its Italian-inspired dishes. Additionally, the restaurant sells a cheese grater that many assume is meant for grating Parmesan. However, if you want to recreate the Olive Garden experience at home, you'll need to use Romano cheese.

So, what's the difference between the two cheeses? Well, Parmesan has a fruity, nutty complexity, while Romano is milder, slightly saltier, and has a softer texture. This difference in taste and texture is likely due to the fact that Parmesan can be made anywhere in the world, whereas Pecorino Romano must be made in specific regions of Italy, including Sardinia, Lazio, and the Tuscan Province of Grosseto, giving it that authentic Italian flavour.

Swapping Parmesan for Romano makes sense when you consider that Romano is much cheaper and still similar in taste to Parmesan. So, if you're looking to add that Olive Garden touch to your meals at home, be sure to reach for the Romano cheese!

Olive Garden sells its cheese graters

Olive Garden has something of a cult following, largely due to the excesses that customers can indulge in while dining at the chain. From endless soup and salad to unlimited breadsticks and even the occasional bottomless pasta promotion, it seems there's nothing customers can't have when they visit this spot. And now, Olive Garden is taking it one step further by selling its famous cheese graters in-store and online.

Fervent Olive Garden fans may already know that there's more for sale at Olive Garden than what is simply on the menu. For example, the very cheese graters used at the restaurant when piling all that cheese on pasta or salad are not only for sale but have sold out in many spots. TikToker @jordan_the_stallion8 shared in a now-viral video, "I was 95.7 percent sure that that was not gonna work. Come here. I got to the Olive Garden. I went to the manager, all I said was 'cheese grater.' And she looked at me and said, 'Give me one minute.' They sold me the cheese grater. Not only that, they gave me cheese to try it out."

The Zyliss Professional Cheese Grater, beloved by Olive Garden patrons for its ability to distribute cheese quickly and with ease, can be purchased at your local Olive Garden or on Amazon for $23. The grater features a steel drum for holding blocks of parmesan and a hand crank that requires little pressure for easy shredding. With razor-sharp blades hidden away, you won't have to worry about sliced fingers. Grating can be tedious, so this tool includes a non-slip thumb rest and handle for comfort. While it's great for garnishing pastas, the Zyliss is also ideal for baking, shaving chocolate and nuts on top of desserts, or shredding carrots and zucchini for quick breads and cakes.

If you're hoping to get your hands on an Olive Garden cheese grater but don't live near a restaurant location, you can find them on the Olive Garden website as part of their holiday merch collection. The collection, called "Never-Ending First Course," celebrates all the never-ending menu dishes and includes items like matching "Seasons Gratings" sweatshirts, a sock collection, pajamas, and even breadstick plush toys for those with pets on their gift list.

Olive Garden imports six cheese varieties from Italy

It's no secret that Olive Garden is generous with its cheese. The popular chain restaurant is known for its array of flavorful, cheesy dishes, from Chicken Alfredo to Five Cheese Ziti al Forno. But where does all this cheese come from?

Well, it turns out that Olive Garden imports six cheese varieties from Italy. While the exact types of cheese imported remain unconfirmed, the restaurant's menu offers a range of options, including Parmesan, Asiago, Mozzarella, Ricotta, and Pecorino Romano.

Parmesan, or Parmigiano Reggiano, is a staple in Italian cooking, and the imported Pecorino Romano is produced only in certain areas of Italy, including the islands of Sardinia and Lazio and the Tuscan Province of Grosseto. This hard, salty cheese is a key ingredient in dishes like the Lasagna Classico, where it is combined with mozzarella and parmesan.

Olive Garden's abundant use of cheese is so well-known that they even sell their famous cheese graters in-store and online. The Zyliss Professional Cheese Grater, as it is known, is beloved by patrons for its ability to distribute cheese quickly and efficiently, ensuring that customers can enjoy as much cheese as they desire.

While the authenticity of ingredients can be a topic of debate, especially when it comes to Italian cuisine, Olive Garden's commitment to importing some of its cheese from Italy demonstrates its dedication to providing an authentic dining experience.

Parmigiano Reggiano is strictly regulated and can only come from Italy

While parmesan cheese can be made anywhere in the world, Parmigiano Reggiano is strictly regulated and can only come from Italy. Only cheese made in designated provinces of Italy can obtain the Protected Designation of Origin (DOP) trademark, which authentic Parmigiano Reggiano should display.

Parmigiano Reggiano is a type of parmesan cheese with a strict set of standards that define it. This cheese has a fruity, nutty complexity, with a harder texture than regular parmesan. It is made from raw cow's milk, and aged for at least 12 months. The specific production process and ingredients are regulated by the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium, which ensures that only cheese made in specific provinces of Italy, such as Sardinia, Lazio, and Grosseto, can bear the name Parmigiano Reggiano.

Olive Garden uses parmesan cheese in many of its dishes, and while it is unconfirmed whether they use Parmigiano Reggiano, it is unlikely. Their menu only lists "parmesan" and not Parmigiano Reggiano, suggesting that their cheese is not the authentic Italian variety. This is further supported by the fact that Olive Garden sells cheese graters in their stores, and the cheese provided with these graters is not Parmigiano Reggiano.

For those who value authenticity, it is important to note that Olive Garden does source some of its cheeses from Italy, such as Pecorino Romano, which is produced in specific regions of Italy. However, they are not transparent about which cheeses on their menu are imported. Ultimately, the decision about whether cheese authenticity matters is up to the individual.

Olive Garden's parmesan likely isn't authentic Parmigiano Reggiano

While parmesan cheese is a staple in Italian cooking, these days it can be made anywhere in the world. However, 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 sprinkles parmesan cheese on dishes like the Chicken Alfredo and Five Cheese Ziti al Forno. However, because the menu only lists "parmesan" and not "Parmigiano Reggiano," we can assume their parmesan isn't authentic Parmigiano Reggiano. If it were, it would likely be marketed as such, and the DOP mark of quality would be displayed.

Parmigiano Reggiano is a specific type of parmesan cheese with strict requirements for its production. It must be made in certain provinces in Italy to receive the DOP designation. This regulation ensures the cheese's quality and authenticity, and it sets Parmigiano Reggiano apart from other types of parmesan cheeses.

Olive Garden does offer some Italian cheeses, such as mozzarella, ricotta, and Pecorino Romano, which are likely imported from Italy due to their specific listings on the menu. However, the parmesan cheese they sprinkle on dishes is probably not Parmigiano Reggiano, as that variety would likely be advertised as such.

The parmesan cheese used by Olive Garden is likely a different variety or a blend of cheeses that resembles parmesan in flavor and texture. This doesn't mean that the cheese is artificial or of inferior quality, but it is essential to clarify that it is probably not authentic Parmigiano Reggiano.

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