Italian Cheeses

Whether it is the gooey, stretchy mozzarella or the flaky, delicious parmigiano reggiano sprinkled on top, most people can agree that the cheese is the star of the show when you take a bite into a piping hot slice of pizza. Italian cheeses are best served incorporated into delicious lunch or dinner dishes, so here is all you need to know about mozzarella, parmigiano reggiano, provolone, and other Italian favorites.

Everyone is most likely familiar with mozzarella as we know it today, but did you know it was originally made from water buffalo milk? Also known as mozzarella di bufala, this cheese comes in two forms. Fresh mozzarella is made from whole milk and is often formed into balls and kept in a brine to keep its freshness. It is not an aged cheese and is best eaten soon after is made. Mozzarella goes perfectly with some basil, olive oil, and tomatoes, and creating an insalata caprese is the best way to devour this cheese quickly. Mozzarella is often hand-spun, giving it its famous pull apart and meltable texture and moistness. Its other form, which is more commonly used, is a softer, stretchier cheese usually bought shredded or in a block.

Nicknamed the “King of Cheeses”, parmigiano reggiano is a cow’s milk cheese originating from the Italian provinces of Parma and Bologna and is aged over two years. The cheese can only be made from April through November as these months allow the cows to eat only the greenest grass rather than dry hay. It has huge flavor that can be paired with many dishes such as pasta, salads, vegetables, meat dishes, breads, and soups. Authentic parmigiano reggiano will have a stamped rind.

Gorgonzola is the cremier Italian version of blue cheese. This soft, sweet cheese gets its name from the city of Gorgonzola, which is outside of Milan. As an alternative to bleu cheese, it is great with grapes and is a good choice for your wine and cheese parties. Born in the Italian alps, Asiago is another aged cheese which is great to serve when entertaining. Sliced up with bread or shredded into pasta, this hard cooked cheese is great for snacking or for preparing delectable meals.

Provolone is another well known Italian favorite. It’s an aged, somewhat smokey cow’s milk cheese from Basilicata, Southern Italy, and is best served as a sandwich cheese. Provolone is firm but with some elasticity, making it great for melting and pairing with meatballs or roast pork or even cooked into a tasty omelet.

These are just a few examples of delectable Italian cheeses which are sure to be crowd pleasers. There are many more Italian varieties, and any you choose, you can be sure that it will it will entertain your taste buds and take your dishes to the next level. Buon appetito!