Sottocenere al Tartufo

Tender and smooth with ideal meltability. A sweet fairy tale of milk and truffles.

The Flavor Experience

This cheese has the texture of a Fontina or Raclette with no lingering air of funk that has all been replaced with spice and earth. The rind of Sottocenere is imbued with cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and other such warming spices. Their earthy subtleties beautifully adorn the truffle, who becomes the real princess of the story.

The Story

Sottocenere means "under the ashes" and refers to the ash rind that gives this cheese its characteristic dove-grey color. The use of ash for rind-formation is a centuries-old technique, but the incorporation of the Sottocenere's distinct spices can be accredited to its maker, Sergio. There is no doubt that this cheese comes off as a classic, but Sergio himself initiated the production of Sottocenere quite recently, just in the 1990s. Still, it is oft imitated. You can spot the real stuff by the waxy leaf or two that get affixed to soft, gray rind.

Quick Facts

Country of Origin: Italy
Milk Type/Treatment: Pasteurized Cow
Rennet Type: Animal