Kamil Perry
Italy is known for its diverse range of cheeses, with over 2,500 traditional varieties and about 500 commercially recognized types. However, when it comes to cheddar cheese, the situation in Italy is quite different. Before Brexit, it was already challenging to find cheddar cheese in Italy, and it has become even more difficult since then. While Italy boasts of having the best food globally, some expatriates crave their comfort foods, including cheddar cheese, which is challenging to obtain.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Availability of Cheddar Cheese in Italy | Almost impossible to get before Brexit and completely impossible since |
| Number of Italian Cheeses | Over 2,500 traditional varieties, including about 500 commercially recognized cheeses |
| Popularity of Italian Cheeses | Mozzarella and ricotta are some of the most popular cheeses worldwide |
| Types of Milk Used in Italian Cheeses | Buffalo, cow, goat, and sheep |
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What You'll Learn
Italy has over 2,500 traditional cheese varieties
Italy has a rich and diverse cheese culture, boasting over 2,500 traditional cheese varieties, with around 500 of these being commercially recognised. This makes Italy the country with the highest variety of cheeses in the world. Each region in Italy has its own unique varieties and production methods, and many different kinds of milk are used, from buffalo and cow's milk to goat's and sheep's milk.
Mozzarella, Parmesan, and ricotta are some of the most popular Italian cheeses worldwide. Mozzarella, traditionally made from buffalo milk, is now often made with cow's milk, which is a less expensive alternative. Parmesan, or Parmigiano Reggiano, is a hard cheese made from cow's milk in the Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy. Ricotta, another cow's milk cheese, is also extremely popular.
Other popular Italian cheeses include Provolone, a semi-hard, aged, stretched-curd cheese made from cow's milk, and Pecorino, which is made all over Italy with unique flavours and slight variations in each region. Grana Padano, a hard cheese similar to Parmesan, is also made from cow's milk but is milder and softer, requiring only nine months of ageing. Taleggio, a semi-soft cheese from Lombardy in the north of Italy, is also a popular variety, with a similar consistency to oozy Camembert at room temperature.
With such a wide variety of cheeses, Italy's culinary scene is a delight for cheese lovers.
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It is difficult to find Cheddar cheese in Italy
Italy is known for having the highest variety of cheeses in the world, with over 2,500 traditional varieties, including around 500 commercially recognized types and more than 300 kinds with protected designation of origin. Despite this, it is difficult to find Cheddar cheese in Italy.
While Italian cheeses such as mozzarella, ricotta, Parmesan, and Gorgonzola are some of the most popular worldwide, Cheddar cheese is not commonly available in Italy. This may be due in part to Italy's strong food culture and the belief that Italian cuisine is superior to other types of cuisine.
Before Brexit, it was already challenging to find Cheddar cheese in Italy, and it has become even more difficult since then. During British week at Lidl, however, some expats have been able to purchase British Cheddar cheese.
Cheddar cheese is a sharp-tasting, hard cheese that is a staple in British cuisine. Freezing Cheddar cheese can enhance its sharp flavor and make it even more pungent. While some may consider it unusual to freeze cheese, this practice can help extend its shelf life and preserve its taste.
Overall, while Italy boasts an impressive array of cheeses, Cheddar cheese is not typically among them, and those seeking this variety may need to make a special effort to find it.
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Mozzarella and Parmesan are the most popular Italian cheeses
Italy is known for having the highest variety of cheeses in the world, with over 2,500 traditional varieties, including the world-renowned Mozzarella and Parmesan.
Mozzarella is arguably the most popular Italian cheese, traditionally made from buffalo milk, though many modern producers opt for less expensive cow's milk. The original buffalo milk variety is creamier and lighter than cow's milk mozzarella. The cheese gets its name from the spinning and cutting process used in its production — in the Neapolitan dialect, "mozzare" means "to cut". Mozzarella is a spun cheese, or pasta filata, usually done by hand. It is perfect for pizzas, as it melts well and does not release liquid while melting. The most popular varieties include buffalo mozzarella, fior di latte, mozzarella affumicata, and burrata.
Parmesan, or Parmigiano Reggiano, is another extremely popular Italian cheese. It is often grated over fresh pasta or slivered atop asparagus, and is also commonly paired with peppery arugula and a squeeze of lemon. Parmesan is a hard cheese made from cow's milk, and like wine, it gets better with age. It is known as the "King of Cheese".
Other popular Italian cheeses include Gorgonzola, Asiago, Fontina, Provolone, and Ricotta.
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Italy has the highest variety of cheeses in the world
Italy is a country with a rich history of cheese-making, boasting the highest variety of cheeses in the world. With over 2,500 traditional cheese varieties, Italy offers a vast array of flavours, textures, and production methods that showcase the country's culinary expertise.
The diversity of Italian cheeses is remarkable, with around 500 commercially recognised types and more than 300 kinds of cheese boasting a protected designation of origin (PDO, PGI, and PAT). Lombardy, a region in northern Italy, leads the way with 77 varieties, including well-known cheeses such as Gorgonzola, Grana Padano, and Parmigiano Reggiano.
Italian cheeses are crafted from a range of milk types, including buffalo, cow, goat, and sheep milk, each contributing to the unique characteristics of the final product. The country's dedication to cheese-making extends beyond the use of different milks, as each region has developed its own distinct varieties and production techniques, ensuring a constant discovery of new flavours and textures for cheese enthusiasts.
Among the plethora of Italian cheeses, some have gained worldwide recognition for their exceptional taste and versatility. Mozzarella, for instance, is a beloved staple, originally made from buffalo milk but now often crafted from cow's milk to increase accessibility. Parmesan, or Parmigiano Reggiano, is another iconic Italian cheese, known for its hard texture and distinctive flavour that enhances countless dishes.
While Italy may not be the largest producer of cheese in terms of raw volume, its focus on quality and variety has solidified its reputation as a cheese-lover's paradise. From the creamy softness of Burrata to the sharp tang of Pecorino, Italy's cheese selection is a testament to the country's culinary heritage and its enduring passion for creating delicious, diverse cheeses.
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Italian cheeses are made from different milks, including goat and sheep
Italy has the highest variety of cheeses in the world, with over 2,500 traditional varieties, including about 500 commercially recognised cheeses. Italian cheeses are made from different milks, including buffalo, goat, sheep, and cow's milk.
Mozzarella, one of the most popular Italian cheeses, was traditionally made from buffalo milk, but today, many manufacturers use cow's milk. However, the original buffalo milk version is creamier and lighter. Mozzarella di Bufala, Bocconcini, and shredded mozzarella are some varieties of buffalo milk mozzarella.
Pecorino Romano is a hard, salty Italian cheese made with sheep's milk. The name "pecorino" means "ovine" or "of sheep" in Italian. It is often used for grating and is a common ingredient in classic Roman dishes like cacio e pepe and carbonara.
Some Italian cheeses are made with a mixture of different types of milk. For example, Abbamar from Sardinia is made from a mixture of cow's and sheep's milk. Similarly, Montébore from Piedmont is made from a blend of cow's and sheep's milk.
Other Italian cheeses made from goat's milk include Acidino from Veneto, Ircano from Sardinia, and Algunder Ziegenkäse from South Tyrol.
While Italy boasts an impressive array of cheeses, it is challenging to find cheddar cheese there. Before Brexit, it was already difficult to come by, and it has become even harder since.
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Frequently asked questions
It is almost impossible to get cheddar cheese in Italy.
Italy is known for having the best food in the world, and the country has the highest variety of cheeses, with over 2,500 traditional varieties.
Italy has over 2,500 traditional cheese varieties, including mozzarella, Parmesan, Grana Padano, Gorgonzola, and ricotta.
While there may not be an exact equivalent, some Italian cheeses, like Primo Sale, have a slightly salty taste and a crumbly, dense texture, somewhat reminiscent of cheddar.
Yes, you can substitute Italian cheeses like Parmesan, mozzarella, or Asiago for cheddar in recipes like polenta or pizza.
