Semi-Hard Cheeses

Exploring semi-hard cheeses, known for their distinct texture and production methods.

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Provolone

Provolone is a well-known Italian cheese with a smooth, firm texture and a mild, slightly tangy flavor that becomes sharper and more robust with age. Made from cow's milk, this stretched-curd cheese can be aged from a few months to …

Country: Italy
Milk Type: Cow's milk
Texture: Semi-Hard
Flavor: Tangy

Cheddar

Cheddar cheese, perhaps the most famous cheese from England, originated in the village of Cheddar in Somerset. It ranges from mild to extra sharp, with aging times that can extend several years. Cheddar has a firm texture and a deep, …

Country: England
Milk Type: Cow's milk
Texture: Semi-Hard
Flavor: Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory

Gouda

Gouda is a famous Dutch cheese named after the city of Gouda in the Netherlands. It is typically made from cow's milk and aged to develop a rich, caramel-like sweetness with a smooth, firm texture. Young Gouda is mild and …

Country: Netherlands
Milk Type: Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk
Texture: Semi-Hard
Flavor: Sweet to nutty

Idiazabal

Idiazabal is a traditional Spanish cheese from the Basque Country, made from raw sheep's milk and often smoked over beechwood, giving it a distinctive, robust flavor. It has a slightly dry, but buttery texture, with a smoky, nutty taste. Idiazabal …

Country: Spain
Milk Type: Sheep
Texture: Semi-Hard
Flavor: Intense, slightly piquant

Sfela

Sfela is a semi-hard cheese from the Peloponnese region of Greece. Made from sheep's milk or a mix of sheep and goat milk, it is often fried due to its high melting point. Sfela has a salty, tangy flavor, making …

Country: Greece
Milk Type: Raw sheep’s milk or combination with goat’s milk
Texture: Semi-Hard
Flavor: Unique personality

Asiago

This Italian cheese from the Veneto and Trentino regions comes in two varieties: fresh (Asiago Pressato) and aged (Asiago d'allevo). Fresh Asiago is soft and creamy with a sweet, mild flavor, while the aged version is harder, crumbly, and has …

Country: Italy
Texture: Hard , Semi-Hard

Stelvio

Stelvio, also known as Stilfser, is a type of cheese that holds a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status. It is produced in Italy, specifically in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano. The cheese is made from cow's milk, which is …

Country: Italy
Milk Type: Cow
Texture: Semi-Hard
Flavor: Aromatic and marked, sometimes pungent

Abondance

Abondance is a traditional French cheese from the Haute-Savoie region, easily recognized by its firm texture and concave wheel shape. Made from raw cow's milk, it matures for at least three months, developing a creamy, slightly nutty flavor. Its rind, …

Country: France
Milk Type: Cow's milk
Texture: Semi-Hard
Flavor: Savory, yet fruity with an intense "umami" taste

Batzos

Batzos is a traditional Greek cheese, protected under PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) status. Made from sheep's or goat’s milk, it is a semi-hard, salty cheese, similar to feta but less crumbly. Batzos is aged in brine and has a …

Country: Greece
Milk Type: Goat's and sheep's milk
Texture: Hard , Semi-Hard
Flavor: Sourish and slightly piquant

Spressa delle Giudicarie

Spressa delle Giudicarie is an Italian cheese from the Trentino region, characterized by its low fat content and intense flavor. Made from skimmed cow's milk, it has a firm texture and a sharp, slightly spicy taste. This cheese is often …

Country: Italy
Milk Type: Partially skim raw cow’s milk
Texture: Semi-Hard
Flavor: Light and sweet to robust and piquant

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