Andy Montoya
Acapella is an artisanal goat's milk cheese produced by Andante Dairy in Petaluma, California. It is made from pasteurized goat's milk and comes in three distinct varieties: 'Pyramid', a truncated pyramid with a dry and firm texture; 'Round', a small round shape with a soft and creamy texture; and 'Ashed Round', a larger four- to six-ounce round coated in ash to give it a classic French goat milk appearance. As Acapella ages, it develops a bluish-grey rind formed by ash and Geotrichum mold, and its flavour profile becomes more pronounced, featuring earthy and grassy undertones.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Milk | Goat's milk |
| Rennet | Vegetarian |
| Manufacturer | Andante Dairy |
| Manufacturer's Location | Petaluma, California, USA |
| Manufacturer's Owner | Soyoung Scanlan |
| Manufacturer's Year of Establishment | 1999 |
| Cheese Shape | Cylindrical |
| Cheese Weight | 3 oz, 4-6 oz, 7-8 oz |
| Cheese Texture | Dry and firm, soft and creamy, gently giving |
| Cheese Colour | Bluish-grey |
| Cheese Rind | Ash and Geotrichum mold |
| Cheese Flavour | Earthy, grassy, buttery, herbal, yeasty |
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What You'll Learn
- Acapella cheese is an artisanal goat's milk cheese made with vegetarian rennet by Andante Dairy in California, USA
- It comes in three varieties: Pyramid, Round, and Ashed Round
- It has a mild, buttery taste with a slight herbal aroma
- As it ages, it develops a bluish-grey rind formed by ash and Geotrichum mould
- It is produced by Soyoung Scanlan, who owns and operates Andante Dairy
Acapella cheese is an artisanal goat's milk cheese made with vegetarian rennet by Andante Dairy in California, USA
To make the most of this delicious cheese, here are some tips on how to use and enjoy Acapella cheese:
When it comes to using Acapella cheese in your dishes, its soft and creamy texture makes it incredibly versatile. It can be spread on crackers or bread, used as a topping for salads or pizzas, or even stuffed into pasta or folded into omelettes. Its mild, buttery flavour with a slight herbal aroma makes it a perfect complement to many dishes without overwhelming other ingredients.
For a simple yet elegant appetiser, try shaving or crumbling Acapella cheese over a bed of fresh greens, such as arugula or mixed baby kale, and topping it with a drizzle of balsamic glaze and a sprinkle of chopped nuts and dried cranberries. You can also pair it with sweeter ingredients like honey and cinnamon for a unique dessert course.
If you're feeling adventurous, try experimenting with different herbs and spices to create your own flavoured Acapella cheese. For example, roll the cheese log in chopped, toasted nuts, or cover it with fresh herbs like chives or dill. You can also try making herbed goat cheese by adding dried herbs such as thyme, rosemary, or basil during the cheese-making process to infuse their flavours.
Lastly, when storing Acapella cheese, it's important to note that it doesn't require refrigeration, making it an excellent option for picnics or outdoor gatherings. However, proper storage will help extend its shelf life. Wrap the cheese in wax paper or beeswax wrap and store it in a cool, dry place.
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It comes in three varieties: Pyramid, Round, and Ashed Round
Acapella is a soft goat's milk cheese that comes in three varieties: Pyramid, Round, and Ashed Round. This artisanal cheese is produced by Andante Dairy in California, USA, owned and operated by Soyoung Scanlan. The dairy sources goat's milk from the Volpi Ranch near Petaluma, just north of San Francisco, California. Cow's milk cheeses are made with milk from a 400-strong herd of Jersey cows at the nearby Spring Hill Dairy.
The Pyramid variety of Acapella cheese has a truncated pyramid shape, a dry and firm texture, and weighs around 7-8 ounces. This variety has a distinctive appearance and is perfect for those who enjoy a firmer cheese. The Round variety, on the other hand, weighs only about 3 ounces and has a small, round shape with a soft and creamy texture. Its smaller size and creamy texture make it ideal for spreading or adding as a topping to dishes.
The third variety, Ashed Round, is a classic French goat milk cheese with a soft and creamy texture. Ash is added during the salting process, giving it a mild, buttery taste with a slight herbal aroma. This variety is perfect for those who prefer a milder, more aromatic cheese. As Acapella cheese ages, it develops a bluish-grey rind formed by ash and Geotrichum mold, resulting in a pronounced taste featuring earthy and grassy undertones.
Each variety of Acapella cheese offers a unique sensory experience, catering to different preferences and culinary applications. The aging process further enhances the flavour and texture of this artisanal cheese, making it a versatile and intriguing option for cheese enthusiasts.
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It has a mild, buttery taste with a slight herbal aroma
Acapella cheese is an artisanal goat's milk cheese made with vegetarian rennet by Andante Dairy in Petaluma, California. It is produced from pasteurized goat's milk and comes in three distinct versions: 'Pyramid', 'Round', and 'Ashed Round'. Each variety showcases Soyoung Scanlan's delicate touch and her ability to coax intense, clean flavours out of her raw materials.
The mild, buttery taste and slight herbal aroma of Acapella cheese make it a versatile ingredient in various dishes. Its creamy texture and subtle flavour make it an excellent choice for cheese plates or charcuterie boards, where it can be paired with fresh fruits, nuts, and crackers. The buttery flavour of the cheese will complement the sweetness of the fruits, while the slight herbal aroma will add a refreshing touch to the overall taste experience.
When cooking with Acapella cheese, its mild flavour can enhance a variety of recipes without overwhelming other ingredients. It can be crumbled or melted over salads, adding a creamy texture and a subtle tang. For a warm and comforting dish, try baking Acapella cheese on top of vegetables or soups, such as French onion soup, to create a delicious, gooey topping.
Additionally, Acapella cheese can be incorporated into sandwiches, paninis, or grilled cheese sandwiches, where its mild flavour can be paired with a variety of fillings, such as sliced apples, arugula, or cured meats. Its buttery taste will enhance the overall flavour profile of the sandwich, creating a satisfying and indulgent meal.
For a simple yet elegant appetiser, Acapella cheese can be served warm, paired with a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of fresh herbs. The sweetness of the honey will complement the buttery cheese, while the herbs will enhance its subtle aroma, creating a harmonious flavour combination that is sure to impress.
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As it ages, it develops a bluish-grey rind formed by ash and Geotrichum mould
Acapella cheese is an artisanal goat's milk cheese made with vegetarian rennet by Andante Dairy in California, USA. This small, cylindrical-shaped cheese is known for its creamy texture and tangy, slightly nutty flavor.
As it ages, Acapella cheese develops a bluish-grey rind formed by ash and Geotrichum mould. This mould is characterised by a uniform, elegant, white-ivory-coloured, velvety coating on the cheese surface. It produces a typical sweet taste with earthy notes and a hint of hazelnut. The mould also reduces bitterness and imparts distinctive flavours to the cheese. For example, Acapella cheese develops a pronounced taste featuring earthy and grassy undertones as it ages.
The addition of ash to the cheese is especially evident in the "Ashed Round" variety of Acapella cheese, which has a classic French goat milk appearance with a soft and creamy texture. The ash adds to the soft, creamy texture and mild, buttery taste with a slight herbal aroma of the cheese.
The ageing process of Acapella cheese is important to develop its unique characteristics. The cheese is aged to give a firmer texture and more intense, clean flavours. The truncated pyramid variety of Acapella cheese is aged to achieve a firmer cheese, while the three-ounce round variety has a gently giving texture.
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It is produced by Soyoung Scanlan, who owns and operates Andante Dairy
Acapella cheese is an artisanal goat's milk cheese made with vegetarian rennet by Andante Dairy in California, USA. It is produced by Soyoung Scanlan, who owns and operates Andante Dairy. Scanlan is a trained pianist and cheesemaker of over 20 years who named her dairy after a musical tempo and other musical terms. She was born in Seoul in the late 1960s and grew up in South Korea, where she had no exposure to cheese. She moved to the United States to pursue a Ph.D. in molecular biology, and her journey into the world of cheesemaking began during a trip to France with her husband.
Scanlan's interest in cheesemaking was sparked when she tried a perfectly ripe piece of goat cheese from the hill town of Rocamadour in France. She then enrolled in a course in dairy science at Cal Poly, where she spent two years mastering the physical chemistry of milk. However, she left the program early to focus on her marriage and launched herself into the practical world of cheesemaking. She befriended Barbara Backus, the owner of Goat's Leap dairy in St. Helena, and began making trial cheeses, driving from San Francisco to Petaluma and then to St. Helena to make cheese before returning home.
Scanlan's engineering background and passion for music are reflected in her meticulous approach to cheesemaking and the musical inspiration behind her creations. She has named her cheeses after musical terms, such as "Metronome," a device that produces rhythms to help musicians play in time. Scanlan's dedication to her craft is evident, as she currently spends about 80 hours a week making 100 pounds of cheese. Acapella cheese, one of her creations, is a small, cylindrical-shaped cheese that develops a bluish-grey rind as it ages, formed by ash and Geotrichum mold. It has a mild, buttery taste with a slight herbal aroma.
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Frequently asked questions
Acapella is an artisanal goat's milk cheese made with vegetarian rennet by Andante Dairy in California, USA. It is produced near Petaluma, just north of San Francisco, California.
Acapella has a mild, buttery taste with a slight herbal aroma. As it ages, it develops a bluish-grey rind formed by ash and Geotrichum mold, along with a pronounced taste featuring earthy and grassy undertones.
Acapella cheese is made in three distinct versions: 'Pyramid' has a truncated pyramid shape with a dry and firm texture weighing around 7-8oz; 'Round' weighs about 3oz and has a small round shape with a soft and creamy texture; and 'Ashed Round' is a larger four- to six-ounce round coated in ash to give it a classic French goat milk appearance.
You can purchase Acapella cheese online from various specialty cheese shops, such as Caputos, or try local cheese shops and grocers in your area.
