Formaggio di fossa Cheese

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Formaggio di fossa Cheese

© Antoine FLEURY-GOBERT / Wikimedia Commons

Formaggio di Fossa is a unique Italian cheese, aged in underground pits (fossa) in the regions of Emilia-Romagna and Marche. Made from sheep's, cow's, or a mixture of milks, it acquires a strong, sharp flavor and a crumbly texture through this unusual aging process. The cheese is traditionally buried in August and retrieved in November, developing its distinctive aroma and taste.

What is Formaggio di fossa Cheese?

Formaggio di Fossa di Sogliano is a semi-hard PDO cheese from central northern Italy that earned its protected designation in 2009. It's named after the "fossa" or pits used for its aging, a technique dating back centuries. These pits, carved from tuffaceous rock, are first sterilized with fire, then lined with straw and filled with cheeses wrapped in cloth. Sealed tightly, the cheeses age from early March to late September, developing unique flavors.

The resulting cheese, irregular in shape and often with a wet, moldy surface, has a pungent aroma reminiscent of brush and truffle. Its flavor varies from bitter to spicy, depending on the milk's fat content, which must be at least 40.5 percent dry matter. The milk can be from cows, ewes, or a mix, coagulated at 86–100°F using natural rennet, and the cheese is salted either dry or in brine after forming.

Aged for a minimum of twenty days in controlled conditions, Formaggio di Fossa features a compact, crumbly paste with a sweet, buttery aroma. It's cherished locally both as a table cheese and in various dishes, celebrated for its robust and richly nuanced taste.

Key Facts About Formaggio di fossa Cheese

Country of Origin Italy
Specific Origin Emilia-Romagna and Marche regions
Certification PDO (2009)
Milk Type Cow's, Ewe's, mix
Milk Treatment Raw or Pasteurized
Fat Content At least 40.5% on dry matter basis
Rind Minimal or none
Texture Compact, Friable
Flavor Bitter to spicy
Aroma Strong, truffle-like
Colors Ivory, Straw
Forms Irregular, 1–4 lbs (500 grams–1.9 kilograms)
Rennet Type Natural rennet