Arriving in stores this week, we have two very special cheeses from the Caseificio dell’Alta Langa in Bosia, in northwestern Italy. Alta Langa seeks to produce cheeses using the traditional methods of the region. Their rural location with its steep slopes has an economy based on small-herd breeding of goats, sheep, and cows. As a result, cheeses are produced in small batches and often made with mixed milk, the “langarola” tradition. While the dairy uses a high-tech approach to ensure food safety, including daily milk analysis and transporting milk with a milk piping system, they keep the cheese-making process simple and hands-on.
Bocconcino is a pasteurized, soft-ripened cheese made with goat’s milk and cream. The lightly pungent flavor of the goat’s milk complements the sweetness of the cream. The cheese is tender and melts away in the mouth, revealing “lactic, herbal, animal, and underbrush” overtones. Bocconcino should be eaten at room remperature or warmed on a grill.
Bonrus is a pasteurized, soft-ripened cheese made with cow’s and sheep’s milks. It’s oval shape results from the special cells that support it while it ripens. It’s soft and smooth with a creamy heart and flavors of boiled milk and dried fruit. Bonrus should be eaten at room temperature.
Our Specialty Merchandiser, Peg Todloski, told us how she discovered these cheeses: “We have carried a few Alta Langa cheeses in the past, and I wanted to reintroduce them to our customers since they are all so interesting and delicious. We know we can’t carry every cheese in the world, so instead we’d like to bring in special cheeses from time to time, at attractive prices for a limited time. We want to keep our cheese selection exciting and interesting so that you’ll always find something new to try.” Peg seized the chance to offer these cheeses on sale: Bocconcino is $5.49/each 3.5 oz (regularly $6.99) and Bonrus is $9.99 each 7.93 oz (regularly $11.99). These cheeses are available for a limited time, while supplies last, so be sure to pick one up before they disappear.