Italian cheese

Italian cheese is sometimes not quite as much in the spotlight as French cheese, and we think that is entirely undeserved. We like talking about tasty Italian cheese because you can make such delicious things with it. Shall we dive in?

Italy. This beautiful country in the south of Europe is known for its centuries old culture, its operas, the lovely weather, beautiful beaches and the delicious Italian dishes that are famous the world over. Cheese also plays a large part in those dishes. So if you want to cook really Italian, there is nothing better than working with real Italian cheese as well.

We offer a number of them in our online cheese shop. Shall we introduce them?

Parmigiano Reggiano, the best known Italian cheese

This magnificent Parmesan cheese is one of the best known cheeses and has been made for centuries. These days cheese may only be called Parmesan if it was made in very specific regions of Italy, including of course the province of Parma. Very strict conditions apply to this cheese, and inspectors keep an eye on them. Real, approved Parmesan cheese can be recognised by the many marks in the rind. Parmesan cheese is old and matures for up to 2 years. That also makes it a hard cheese. A whole Parmesan cheese weighs 38 kg and is made from unpasteurised cow's milk.

When it comes to taste, real Parmesan cheese is of course superior. Parmesan cheese is delicious on pizza and pastas. Grated Parmesan cheese on a dish gives it that very specific Italian flavour, which in turn goes perfectly with the taste of tomato and olives. Can you taste it already?

Grana Padano

Grana Padano is a little milder in taste than Parmigiano Reggiano. Although Grana Padano is quite comparable to Parmigiano Reggiano and is also made from unpasteurised cow's milk, it is made under slightly less strict conditions. The cheese may be made in a larger area and the diet of the cows is bound by less strict rules. The advantage is that this cheese is still very tasty, but also somewhat cheaper. You can decide for yourself whether you can taste the difference and whether the difference in price is worth ordering one cheese or the other. Perhaps you would like to try a 300 gram piece of each first?

Pecorino Romano

This sheep cheese also comes from a rich tradition and is made from thermised sheep's milk. Sea water is used during preparation to wash the cheese, which gives it its characteristic salty taste, and the flavour is sharp, which makes a nice alternative to Parmesan cheese. You can try this one first as well by ordering a 300 gram piece.

Hommage Italia, an Italian cheese from Dutch soil

Technically this is a Dutch cheese, because it is made in the Netherlands, but as the name says it is a homage to Italy, so we are putting it here among the others. First of all this cheese is a goat cheese, and on top of that it is full of Italian herbs such as oregano and basil. So yes, when you take a bite this cheese will at the very least remind you of Italy, and with a bit of luck you will find yourself in your mind on a lovely Italian terrace. You can order a smaller 300 gram piece of this cheese too, just to try it.