2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Taleggio / Taleggio / is a popular Italian cheese made from whole cow's milk. It is characterized by a pinkish or orange crust and a softer interior. Taleggio is so tender that it literally melts in your mouth. The reason the inside is softer than the crust is that the dairy product matures from the outside in. The taste of the cheese is refined and tender, with a slightly sour note. Its aroma is special, but by no means intrusive. It is one of the few cheeses that has been produced for centuries.
History of Taleggio
Documents preserved over time indicate that the cheese originated in the valley Taleggio, in the province of Bergamo. It is from here that the modern name of the cheese is borrowed. It is believed that around the tenth century, the local population was already familiar with the technique of preparing this amazing product. They used the fresh and wholesome milk of the cows that arrived exhausted from the high mountain pastures. In the beginning, Taleggio was prepared only at certain times - only in the summer, but today the demand is so great that it begins to be made all year round.
Over time, the method of making cheese has improved and today we have a unique cheese, characterized by an orange, rough and aromatic rind covered with crystalline salt. Beneath it is a delicate texture, which is thicker in the center and more pasty in the periphery. The color of the interior can vary from whitish to light yellow.
Manufactured by Taleggio
As already mentioned, the cheese uses selected whole milk from cows grazing on lush alpine meadows. The cheese is grown in caves at moderately warm temperatures and high humidity. In fact, thanks to these special conditions, the characteristic crust of the cheese is formed. While ripening, the cheese is placed on wooden boards. It is washed with a sponge every week.
To mature Taleggio, it takes 25 to 40 days. Due to the conditions under which Taleggio is grown, it is called by many cave cheese. The quality of Taleggio is monitored by law so that the product cannot be counterfeited. It is usually square in shape and weighs about 2 kg. On the bark can be seen a special seal consisting of four circles in which is the letter T, placed by Consorzio Tutela Taleggio. Its fat content should not be less than 48 percent.
Selection and storage of Taleggio
When choosing this type of cheese, pay particular attention to the rind. It should be dry and not very colorful. The coloring must be even. It is also good that the rind of the product has retained its integrity, because in the presence of cracks and improper storage of the cheese, the product may spoil. Therefore, when choosing a cheese, you should carefully examine it from all sides.
You can press it lightly with your hand just enough to check its elasticity. The edible cheese regains its original shape after pressure. Otherwise Taleggio should not be stored for a long time. If a cheese pie is cut, it should be used within a few days. It is good for the individual pieces to be tightly wrapped in polyethylene foil.
Cooking with Taleggio
When you taste from Taleggio for the first time you will experience many different sensations. In general, connoisseurs are not unanimous about its taste characteristics. Some say, for example, that Taleggio's scent reminds them of almonds and even hay. According to the same, its taste can be compared with that of asparagus cream soup. Others are of the opinion that there is a mushroom note in the cheese, which they notice both in its taste and smell.
Taleggio is widely used in cooking, but mostly in the preparation of various types of pasta. It is usually combined with other types of cheese such as Parmesan, Fontina and Gorgonzola. Fits perfectly in pizza and pie recipes. Perfectly complements the taste of vegetables and beef and chicken products. It is usually added at the end and lightly baked. Of course, it can also be used without heat treatment.
For this purpose, it is simply cut into pieces and used in salads and risottos, suitable for both lunch and dinner. Especially nice is the combination of Taleggio, sun-dried tomatoes, black olives and basil. Some like to give the cheese a sweet taste and combine it with pears or honey. It's all a matter of personal preference. Lovers of quality alcoholic beverages highly appreciate this cheese. They use it as an additive to light wines. If the cheese has matured, it can also be used as an appetizer for heavier drinks.
Benefits of Taleggio
Taleggio is a dairy product that is not only tasty, but also useful. It contains calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and others. In addition, cheese is a source of vitamin A, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin E, so its consumption certainly has a beneficial effect on our body. Eating Taleggio affects hair growth, skin elasticity and nail strength. It charges the body with energy and supports the activity of the brain. It also strengthens the immune, nervous and digestive systems.
