Bel Paese

Bel Paese is a semi-soft Italian cheese. The name directly translates to "Beautiful Country," and is inspired by the title of a book written by Antonio Stoppani. It is a commercial product that was first produced in 1906 by Egidio Galbani, who wanted to produce a mild and delicate cheese to sell in Italy and all over the world.

History

Bel Paese cheese was first produced in the early 20th century in Melzo, a small town located in the Lombardy region in the central part of Italy. The cheese was created by Egidio Galbani who was a famous cheesemaker and the founder of the Galbani Cheese Company. The company is now part of the multinational French dairy company Lactalis.

Production

Bel Paese is made from cow's milk and has a short aging period. The cheese is produced by adding rennet to the milk to cause coagulation. The curd is then cut, cooked, and finally molded into small discs. The cheese is aged for a period of six to eight weeks. It is a pasteurized cheese and is produced all year round.

Characteristics

Bel Paese is a semi-soft cheese with a creamy and light milky aroma. The cheese has a slightly sweet and nutty flavor. The texture of the cheese is smooth and melts easily, which makes it a good table cheese and also suitable for cooking. The rind of the cheese is thin and edible, with a color that varies from straw-yellow to white.

Uses

Bel Paese is often used as a substitute for mozzarella in many dishes. It is also used in salads and can be paired with fruity wines. The cheese is also popular as a dessert cheese and is often served with fruits and bread.

See Also

• List of Italian cheeses
• List of semi-soft cheeses