Types Of Italian Cheeses And Their Uses

Every country has something in its past which it is proud of and in case of Italy it is the continuing tradition of cultural and culinary heritage, particularly the Italian cheeses, which have been a constant source of pride and worldwide fame. Although Italy is a European country, the Italian cheeses have evolved into global products which have successfully carried the heritage of their parent country to the far and wide corners of the world.

The most popular culinary delights which are associated with Italy are the pizzas and the lasagna preparations both of which make use of the legendary mozzarella cheese. This cheese is white in color since it is a product of buffalo’s milk and its soft and chewy texture is one of the main reasons for the immense popularity of the dishes in which it is used.

Among all the varieties of Italian cheeses, it is only the Gorgonzola which is blue in color along with a creamy texture. Having originated in Lombardy, it is found in two varieties namely the gorgonzola mountain, which has a sharp taste and the gorgonzola dolce, which is sweet and therefore is an ideal accompaniment of fruits and desserts. Apart from being served as an accompaniment for white Italian wines, hot stew and soups, this cheese tastes mild when it is young and becomes sharper as it matures.

The Mascarpone is one of the Italian cheeses which are used extensively in dessert preparations in lieu of the whipped cream due to the fact that it has a rich and creamy texture along with a mild flavor.

Parmesan is counted among the full flavored Italian cheeses and can be consumed in form of slivers or after being grated although both forms are incomparable in taste to the fresh piece of this cheese. This variety of cheese is distinct due to the presence of a hard rind and should be subjected to maturation for a couple of years before being considered fit for consumption.

The Scamorza is distinct among all the Italian cheeses because of its shape which it acquires during its maturation. This cheese is prepared by hanging the fresh and unpasteurized cow’s milk by a string and it is usually served with fruits.

Pecorino is probably an exception among the Italian cheeses because it is prepared from ewe%u2019s milk and is available in four main varieties namely Pecorino Romano, Pecorino Toscano, Pecorino Sardo and Pecorino Siciliano. This variety of Italian cheese is salty to taste and is subjected to maturation after which it is normally served as an accompaniment to desserts.

The list of Italian cheeses would be incomplete with the mention of Grana Padano which is pale yellow in color and faintly reminiscent of a pineapple with regards to taste. This is one of the traditional Italian cheeses which are prepared from unpasteurized milk and it is distinguished by its thick, hard and smooth outer covering.

Want to find out more about Italian cheeses, then visit Chris Perry’s site on how to choose the best Italian imports for your needs.