Taleggio (cheese)
| Taleggio | |
|---|---|
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| Country of origin | Italy |
| Region, town |
Bergamo, Brescia, Como, Cremona, Lecco, Lodi, Milan, Pavia, Treviso, Novara |
| Source of milk | cow, full milk |
| Pasteurized | Frequently |
| Texture | semi-soft, smear-ripened |
| Aging time | 40 days |
| Certification | PDO |
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Taleggio (IPA: [taˈleddʒo]) is a semisoft, washed-rind, smear-ripened Italian cheese that is named after Val Taleggio. The cheese has a thin crust and a strong aroma, but its flavor is comparatively mild with an unusual fruity tang.
Taleggio and similar cheeses have been around since Roman times, with Cicero, Cato the Elder, and Pliny the Elder all mentioning it in their writings. The cheese was solely produced in the Val Taleggio until the late 1800s, when some production moved to the Lombardy plain to the south.
The production takes place every autumn and winter. First, the acidified milk is brought to the lab from milk calves. The cheese is set on wood shelves in chambers, sometimes in caves as per tradition, and matures within six to ten weeks. It is washed once a week with a seawater sponge to prevent mold growth and to form an orange or rose crust.
Today, the cheese is made from both pasteurized milk and raw milk in factories. The factory-made cheeses are brighter and moderate in flavor.
The cheese can be eaten grated with salads such as radicchio or rucola (rocket, arugula) and with spices and tomato on bruschetta. It melts well, and can be used in risotto or on polenta.
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Wikipedia