Friday, December 25, 2015

Merry Christmas!! Celebrate with Caciocavallo Tartufo

Merry Christmas loyal readers!

It's hard to believe that this is the fourth holiday season I have shared with you all. Quite a lot has happened since November of 2012, when I first started this blog. I'd like to thank you all for your support and encouragement over the years. I am pleased to say that my ACS Certified Cheese Professional status was renewed this year for another three years! I hope to see this blog continue to grow and see my business flourish as well as I continue to spread the love of cheese. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

Now, enough mushy stuff... on to the cheese!

I decided to feature a fun cheese that we received at the cheese counter this month that just seems to scream HOLIDAYS - the Caciocavallo Tartufo.


Cheese: Caciocavallo Tartufo
Region: Basilicata, Southern Italy
Milk: Raw cow's milk
Rennet: Traditional (animal)


A fun fact I learned in researching this cheese is that Caciocavallo means "cheese on horseback", and it gets its name from how it is aged. The cheese is tied at the top (see the first picture above with the rope) and then dangled over a wooden board to drain and age. It is aged for 4-6 months in caves and is exposed to air and microbes at all angles, allowing it to develop a sharp, tangy, spicy flavor. I love how the Murray's website describes this cheese: "...like mozzarella on steroids or provolone with better manners..." (http://www.murrayscheese.com/caciocavallo.html#) 


The thing that makes this particular Caciocavallo so special, is the addition of the black truffles. I am normally not a fan of truffle cheeses because oftentimes, too much truffle oil is added. Not the case for this cheese. I thoroughly enjoyed it and thought the truffle added a decadent flavor, not an overbearing one. I recently paired the Presto Prosecco with this cheese and it paired beautifully. 

Be sure to swing by your local Whole Foods Market cheese counter and get some of this tasty cheese while you can. It's only available for a limited time and it is well worth a taste. 


Until next time... eat, drink and be happy! From my family to yours - MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

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