The Best Tasting Italian Cheeses

Many cheeses are originated from Italy and they are imported all over the world. Cheese making is considered to be an art and many villagers still make this their livelihood. There are several varieties and styles of cheese and many different flavors to impress any palette. The distinct flavors of Italian cheeses make them very popular around the world.

Early cheese makers did not have the luxury of refrigeration until recently. They used to store the cheeses in caves or grottos because they were the perfect temperature to age the cheese. There are only three ingredients involved in making cheese. They are salt, rennet, and milk. It is not difficult to make, but it is time consuming. There are not nearly as many cheese artisans as there used to be.

Milk is a necessary ingredient in making cheese. Farmers use the milk from goats and sheep to make certain types of cheese and others used buffalo milk. Cows are very valuable because they provide the milk that is needed for many types of cheeses and their meat is also used in many Italian dishes.

The most popular cheese import from Italy is mozzarella. This type of cheese is made from cows milk and comes in two forms. True mozzarella cheese is stored in water and is shaped in a ball form. It is truly fresh and by storing it in water, it keeps its freshness. The second type is a mass produced form that is usually shredded or in blocks. Mozzarella is delicious on pizza and in many different Italian dishes.

Another type of cheese that is made with cows milk is Provolone. It is usually aged only slightly and has a smoky taste to it. It is very flavorful and can be aged for one year. It is a popular cheese to place on sandwiches. Many delis sell it by the slice. It is also used on hoagies and submarine sandwiches. It can add an awesome flavor to any sandwich and is especially popular on ham sandwiches.

Ricotta cheese is a mixture of different types of cheese whey that is recooked to form a grainy mixture. This creamy type of cheese is unique because it is used in sweet dishes, as well as bolder dishes such as Lasagna and Rigatoni. It is also an ingredient used in classic style cheesecake.

Asiago cheese is another popular cheese from Italy. It is also made from cow’s milk and can be aged up to one year. This type of cheese is usually shredded and served in Italian dishes or in risotto soup. It can also be used as a table cheese similar to Parmesan. It is best when it is fresh and it is a versatile cheese.

Italian cheeses are loved by millions of people and are a vital ingredient in many dishes. They are popular with young and old alike and are consumed all over the world. Cheese lovers everywhere rely on Italy for some of the finest cheeses in all the land. Cheese is a very popular ingredient in many meals such as pizza and lasagna. We definitely love our cheese and would not know what to do without it.

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