Mozzarella di Bufala:Buffalo milk, Southern Italy-A staple of the southern regions of Campagna, Basilicata and Calabria, Mozzarella di Bufala is produced solely with the milk of Italian water buffalo. Within 24 hours of its formation, it is flown to the United States to ensure freshness. Texturally, it is supple and yielding, nearly falling apart at [...]
Cana de Cabra: Goat, Murcia, Spain-Aged for only 3-4 weeks, this soft-ripened goat cheese is Spain’s assertive response to Bucheron. Murcia is a region renowned for its high quality of goat milk, and Cana de Cabra is one of the finest examples. It is often presented sliced into thin rounds with a simple salad, fried [...]
Burrata:Cow, Philadelphia, U.S.A.-An Apulian specialty now produced by DiBruno Brothers, Burrata is a fresh mozzarella stretched flat, and then wrapped around a pocked of fresh ricotta and heavy cream. They are offered plain, or with the addition of pesto, truffle cream or truffle honey. An easy appetizer when served with crusty bread and cured meats. [...]
Crottin Chavignol:Goat, Loire Valley, France -Aged for two weeks and then packed in an odorless, flavorless nitrogen gas, these Crottin Chavignol are as fresh as you can find outside of France. Pleasantly tart and milky, the terroir of the verdant Loire Valley shines through in this most famous of chevres. Knight’s Vail:Cow, Wisconsin, U.S.A.-Introduced in [...]
Crucolo:Cow, Calabria, Italy-Southern Italy’s answer to Asiago Fresco, Crucolo outshines its inspiration with great depth of flavor and billowy texture. Its idyllic location in the center of the Mediterranean receives bountiful sunlight. The resulting verdure pastures flavor the milk, and the result is layered flavors of wild herbs and grasses. Le Clandestin: Raw Cow and [...]
Mature Montgomery’s Cheddar:Raw Cow, Somerset, England-Recognized as the premier cheddar in the world, Montgomery’s is one of only three farms that fits the stipulations for Artisan Somerset Cheddar. While typically aged around 20 months, the mature version is aged 26-28. The extra maturation adds not only great depth of flavor, but firms the texture to [...]
Largo: Cow, California, USA- Largo is a unique twist on a French classic. While most triple cream cheeses have heavy cream added to them to increase richness and fat content, maker Soyoung Scanlan opted instead to use crème fraiche. Not only does this add a bit of tartness, but creates a runny texture beneath the [...]
Tumin Rutulin:Goat, Piedmont, Italy-Seemingly Italy’s answer to Bucheron, Rutulin comes in the traditional three-pound log, but is made by hand with higher quality milk. In addition, it is rolled in either grape must, sesame seeds or wild herbs. A decadent alternative for salads or roulades, it is outstanding at room temperature or melted. Isle of [...]
Laguiole Vieux:Raw Cow, Auvergne, France -While the French would never refer to it as such, this is essentially the French Farmhouse Cheddar. The flavor is superb: buttery, earthy and sharp. However the principal attraction could well be the texture. A unique balance of crumbly and creamy, it is superb as part of an antipasto, melted [...]
Sparkenhoe Red Leicester: Raw Cow, Leicestershire, England -One of the prime examples of a cheese that represents the “terroir.” Using a recipe that dates to 1745, it is mild, but creamy and complex. The raw milk yields the subtle flavors of the animal’s diet: grassy, herbaceous, slightly fruity and earthy. Pecorino Ginepro:Sheep, Emilio-Romagna, Italy -A [...]