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Semi-Soft Cheeses from Italy

Explore semi-soft cheeses from Italy, including regional specialties and well-known favorites.

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Mozzarella

Mozzarella is a semi-soft, non-aged cheese from southern Italy, made by stretching and kneading the curd. Cow's milk versions are called fior di latte, buffalo milk versions mozzarella di bufala, and it tops most pizza.

Country: Italy
Milk Type: Cow's, goat's, sheep's or water buffalo's milk
Texture: Semi-soft, creamy
Flavor: Mild, milky

Taleggio

Taleggio is a semisoft Italian cheese with a washed, smear-ripened rind and a strong smell. The taste is milder than the aroma suggests, creamy and pale yellow inside, with an unusual fruity tang.

Country: Italy
Milk Type: Cow's milk
Texture: Soft
Flavor: Sweet, delicate, slightly sour

Gorgonzola

Gorgonzola is an Italian blue cheese made from unskimmed cow's milk, named for a town near Milan. It comes in two styles: dolce, mild and buttery, and piccante, sharper with a firm, crumbly body.

Country: Italy
Milk Type: Cow's milk
Texture: Semi-soft, crumbly, blue-veined
Flavor: Sweet to savory

Scamorza

Scamorza is a southern Italian pasta filata cheese, usually made from cow's milk. It is tied with string and hung to dry into a pear-like shape, sold unsmoked or smoked, and works as a substitute for mozzarella in most dishes.

Country: Italy
Milk Type: Cow's milk
Texture: Semi-soft

Toma Piemontese

Toma Piemontese is the Piedmont version of Toma, a cow's milk cheese that runs from soft to semi-hard and melts well. It is the variety that carries protected designation of origin status under EU legislation.

Country: Italy
Milk Type: Cow's milk
Texture: Semi-soft, elastic
Flavor: Mild, sweet / Savory, salty

Bocconcini

Bocconcini are bite-sized balls of fresh mozzarella from southern Italy, made by the stretched-curd pasta filata method. They are often skewered with cherry tomatoes as an appetiser.

Country: Italy
Milk Type: Cow's, goat's or water buffalo's milk
Texture: Semi-soft, brined

Fontina

Fontina is a cow's milk cheese from Italy's Aosta Valley, made there since the 12th century. It runs semisoft to hard, tastes creamy and nutty with earthy, mushroomy notes, and melts well enough to carry a fondue.

Country: Italy
Milk Type: Cow's milk
Texture: Creamy , Smooth
Flavor: Mild, Buttery, Nutty

Caciotta

Caciotta is an Italian cheese made from cow, sheep, goat, or water buffalo milk. It ripens for a short time and comes in small cylindrical wheels with a soft yellow rind, a pale body, and a mild flavor.

Country: Italy
Milk Type: Cow's, goat's, sheep's or water buffalo's milk
Texture: Semi-soft
Flavor: Mild

Margot

Margot is an Italian cheese made from pasteurized cow's milk. It has a semi-soft texture and a natural rind. The cheese is cream-colored and offers a full-flavored profile with a noticeable bitter edge. Its pasteurized milk base ensures a consistent …

Country: Italy
Milk Type: Cow's milk
Texture: Semi-soft
Flavor: Bitter, full-flavored

Strachitunt

Strachitunt is a raw cow's milk cheese from Val Taleggio, in the Bergamo province of Lombardy, made by layering a cold evening curd with a warm morning one. It has held PDO status since 2014, and its blue veining forms …

Country: Italy
Milk Type: Cow's milk
Texture: Semi-soft, creamy, blue-veined
Flavor: Sweet and fruity

Fior Di Latte Mozzarella

Fior Di Latte Mozzarella is a semi-soft cheese made from pasteurized cow's milk. Originating in Italy, this cheese is known for its mild, milky flavor and smooth, creamy texture. It has a fresh, clean taste with a hint of sweetness, …

Country: Italy
Milk Type: Cow's milk
Texture: Semi-soft

Smoked Fior Di Latte

Smoked Fior Di Latte is a semi-soft Italian cheese made from pasteurized cow's milk. It features a brownish-yellow color, which hints at its smoky flavor and aroma. The cheese carries a tangy taste, adding a pleasant contrast to its smokiness. …

Country: Italy
Milk Type: Cow's milk
Texture: Semi-soft
Flavor: Smokey , tangy

Asiago Pressato DOP

Asiago Pressato DOP is a semi-soft cheese made from pasteurized cow's milk in the Veneto region of Italy. With a fat content of 48%, it has a creamy texture and a fresh white color. The cheese offers a nutty and …

Country: Italy
Milk Type: Cow's milk
Texture: Semi-soft
Flavor: Nutty, sweet

Casatica

Casatica is a semi-soft, artisan cheese made in the Lombardy region of Italy using pasteurized water buffalo's milk. It has a soft-ripened, white bloomy rind and a creamy interior. The cheese offers a subtle, creamy flavor with a pleasant, rich …

Country: Italy
Milk Type: Water buffalo's milk
Texture: Semi-soft, soft-ripened
Flavor: Creamy, subtle

Caciotta Al Tartufo

Caciotta Al Tartufo is an Italian cheese from the regions of Umbria and Lazio, crafted from a blend of cow's and sheep's milk. This semi-soft cheese is made using pasteurized milk and is known for its natural rind. Its flavor …

Country: Italy
Milk Type: Cow's and sheep's milk
Texture: Semi-soft
Flavor: Spicy, tangy

Basajo

Basajo is an Italian cheese made from unpasteurized sheep's milk. It has a semi-soft texture and is characterized by its blue veins. The flavor is notably sweet, complemented by a fruity aroma. This cheese is perfect for those who enjoy …

Country: Italy
Milk Type: Sheep's milk
Texture: Semi-soft, blue-veined
Flavor: Sweet

Chilli Caciotta

Chilli Caciotta is a semi-soft cheese from Italy, traditionally made from either cow's or sheep's milk. It undergoes pasteurization, ensuring a safe and consistent flavor profile. The cheese has an artisan quality, crafted with care to achieve a smooth texture. …

Country: Italy
Milk Type: Cow's or sheep's milk
Texture: Semi-soft
Flavor: Spicy

Casieddu

Casieddu is a cheese from Sicily made from a blend of sheep's and goat's milk. This semi-soft cheese is typically stuffed with a piece of hot chili pepper, giving it a unique, spicy kick. It is aged for a short …

Country: Italy
Milk Type: Goat's milk
Texture: Semi-soft
Flavor: Extremely delicate

Alpe di Frabosa

Alpe di Frabosa is an Italian cheese made from unpasteurized cow's milk. It has a semi-soft texture and is aged for about two months. This cheese offers a unique flavor profile that is both bitter and reminiscent of almonds. Its …

Country: Italy
Milk Type: Cow's milk
Texture: Semi-soft
Flavor: Bitter, almond

Pecorino Camomilla

Pecorino Camomilla is a semi-soft, artisan cheese from the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, crafted from pasteurized sheep's milk. This cheese features a creamy and smooth flavor profile, complemented by a floral aroma that adds a unique character. Its white interior …

Country: Italy
Milk Type: Sheep's milk
Texture: Semi-soft
Flavor: Creamy, smooth