Latest news with #cheese
News.com.au
3 hours ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Italian wheel of cheese makes record
A wheel of Italian cheese known as Parmigiano Reggiano has been recorded as the oldest edible cheese. The 36-kilogram wheel of cheese was produced 27 years ago in 1998. It is estimated to be worth more than $35,000. Romano Camorani, who produced and looked after the cheese as it aged, opened and sampled the cheese over the weekend. He described the taste as "out of this world".
The Guardian
11 hours ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Wheel of 20th-century Italian cheese smashes record for oldest parmesan
A wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano has been celebrated as 'an authentic jewel of nature' after setting a longevity record for parmesan cheese. The still edible 36kg wheel was one of the last made in 1998 by Romano Camorani and his wife Silvia at their dairy in Poviglio, a small town in Italy's northern Emilia-Romagna region. The parmesan, estimated to be worth more than €20,000 (£16,880), was finally opened and sampled on Sunday at the age of 27 years and three months, beating the previous record of 21 years. 'The aroma and taste were out of this world,' said Camorani, adding that he still 'lovingly' looked after the wheel as it aged, despite no longer making cheese. Parmigiano Reggiano has the EU's protected designation of origin status, meaning it can only be produced in the Italian provinces of Reggio Emilia, Parma, Modena, Mantua and Bologna. Made with cow's milk, salt and animal rennet, the cheese ordinarily takes 12 to 36 months to mature, with extended aging occurring only in exceptional cases. The larger a parmesan wheel is, the more chance it has of ageing for longer. The cheese also needs to contain the right amount of fat, protein and salt in order to make it endure over time. The longer the parmesan matures, the more intense its flavour. It is up to the cheesemaker to decide how long they want the maturation process to last and when to open it. The long-aged parmesan is then tasted by a panel from the Parmigiano Reggiano consortium and only considered authentic if judged to be edible and up to standard, which Camorani's record-breaking wheel was. Nicola Bertinelli, president of the Parmigiano Reggiano consortium, said the opening of Camorani's wheel marked 'an extraordinary moment'. 'Because it demonstrates how this product can remain amazing over time without the use of preservatives,' he added. 'It's an authentic jewel of nature.' About 7kg of Camorani's cheese was eaten alongside drizzles of balsamic vinegar during the cutting ceremony at Acetaia Razzoli, a family-run balsamic vinegar producer founded by Giuliano Razzoli, an ex-Olympic ski champion. Other than the right combination of ingredients, Camorani believes the wheel's longevity is due to him 'lovingly caring' for the cheese as much as he would a child. 'I think it could have even lasted 30 years,' he said. But now he needs to decide what to do with it. The previous record-holding Parmigiano Reggiano, made in 2000 by a dairy owned by the late cheesemaker Erio Bertani, was auctioned for charity. 'Some people have said that I should put it on the Japanese market,' said Camorani. 'But I want to keep it local.' If somebody wants to buy the whole of what remains of the cheese, they can, although it will most likely be sold in pieces. Buyers can either order the cheese and collect it from Romano, or have it delivered. Parmigiano Reggiano is promoted by Nazionale del Parmigiano Reggiano, an association linked to the consortium that supports its members in competing in cheese contests around the world, including at the upcoming international cheese and dairy awards in the UK. Its goal is to beat a 28-year record set by an American cheddar cheese in 2013. Gabriele Arlotti, a spokesperson for the association, said there's already a Parmigiano Reggiano contender, although its location is under wraps.
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
On this day: multiple award wins for cheesemaker Shepherds Purse
On this day in 2024, the York Press reported that a North Yorkshire cheesemaker had scooped top honours at that year's Virtual Cheese Awards. Shepherds Purse became the first British producer to win two category golds in the same year, taking home Best Artisan Soft and Best Blue, alongside two additional class golds and three class bronze awards. The judges confirmed Buffalo Blue, by Shepherds Purse, as the artisan soft cheese category winner, saying: "It has an aroma that is clean and rich, which makes you want to dive in. "It has a great mouthfeel which is deceptively light and smooth, plus it has a rich and creamy taste." Yorkshire Blue topped the blue cheese category, with the panel describing it as "creamy but with a real hit of blue." More information about Shepherds Purse is available at
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Why can't Stilton make Stilton?
The famous blue cheese it gave its name to is known throughout the world, but despite years of local protests, the Cambridgeshire village of Stilton is still not allowed to produce it. The history of Stilton is more controversial you might think. A battle over what the name can and can't be applied to has been rumbling for years. So, as a former MP raises the subject again, what's in a name and what could the future hold for this fought-over foodstuff? It was thought that the famous cheese was named after the village of Stilton, just south of Peterborough, not because it was made there, but because it was sold at The Bell Inn there. However, some historians have claimed the cheese did, in fact, originate in the village in the 18th Century. In 2011, Stilton resident and local historian Richard Landy claimed to have documents that could potentially prove the cheese was first produced there. Mr Landy told the BBC at the time: "I stumbled across a reference to a recipe on the internet that had been sent to Richard Bradley, the first professor of botany at Cambridge University. "This recipe was not only earlier than any previous recipe that had been published, but it also says that the cheese was produced in the village of Stilton." The conversation continues to this day, with residents and a former MP calling for a change in the law to allow the cheese to be made in the village. A row about the origins of Stilton and who can make it has been rumbling for years. The Stilton Cheesemakers' Association achieved Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status for blue Stilton from the European Commission in 1996. This meant that only cheese produced in three counties - Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire - could be called Stilton. Despite Brexit, the legal protection continues. Stilton is one of just a few products that enjoy this status. Many English regional cheeses, such as Lancashire, Red Leicester and Double Gloucester, are not protected. While Stilton continues to have special protection, it is not the only British food or drink product to enjoy this. Scotch Whisky, for example, can only be produced, unsurprisingly, in Scotland, and even within that there are tightly controlled regions. For instance, Campbeltown whiskies can only come from a specific part of the Kintyre peninsula, while Islay whiskies must be from the island of the same name. And although you can find a pastry-encrusted snack of meat, potato and vegetables almost anywhere these days, a true Cornish Pasty must originate from Cornwall. The same applies to another famous meat and pastry product. If your pork pie is not from the Leicestershire town, it cannot be called a Melton Mowbray. Similarly, if your oyster does not come from Pembrokeshire, then it does not qualify as a Pembrokeshire Rock Oyster. The annual cheese-rolling event in the Cambridgeshire village dates back to the 1950s. The tradition was started by four publicans who were thinking of ways to generate income after Stilton was bypassed by the A1 in 1959, Adam Leon, one of its organisers previously told the BBC. The event was paused for seven years because organisers said it was no longer seen as "cool", but it returned in 2024. You would be forgiven for thinking a cheese-rolling festival would involve the dairy product itself. However, 12in (30cm) sections of an old telegraph pole are painted to look like a cheese. To participate, all teams must consist of four members, and the "cheeses" must be rolled by hand. Each team member has to roll the cheese at least once during the race, which takes place on on a course of about 30m (100ft) in length. Typically, people have taken part wearing fancy dress, and in the past teams of nuns, Smurfs and even a tribute to rock band Kiss have participated. Former Conservative MP for North West Cambridgeshire, Shailesh Vara, is one of the people who have been voicing their opinions on the cheese's origins. Mr Vara, who lost his seat to Labour's Sam Carling in July 2024, said: "Stilton cheese was historically made in the village, and I know there has been a bit of dispute about that. "But the historical evidence that I have seen in the case that the cheese was made here." He added that Mr Leon, described by Mr Vara as a "local entrepreneur", had started "making efforts to make sure that we start making cheese locally again". He said: "I am in conversation with Adam and the villagers have my support, and whatever conversations they want to have with me, I am always available." According to Mr Vara, now the UK has left the European Union there is less protection on where Stilton can be produced. "That protection is no more, so we can now start making cheese. I am looking for it to be made again," he added. The UK Protected Food Names Association, however, maintains that English law protects Stilton, and that any change would undermine the cheese-making industry. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Village hosts historical cheese rolling festival Cheese rolling returns to Stilton after seven years Cheese rolling cancelled as 'no longer cool' Stilton Cheese
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Why can't Stilton make Stilton?
The famous blue cheese it gave its name to is known throughout the world, but despite years of local protests, the Cambridgeshire village of Stilton is still not allowed to produce it. The history of Stilton is more controversial you might think. A battle over what the name can and can't be applied to has been rumbling for years. So, as a former MP raises the subject again, what's in a name and what could the future hold for this fought-over foodstuff? It was thought that the famous cheese was named after the village of Stilton, just south of Peterborough, not because it was made there, but because it was sold at The Bell Inn there. However, some historians have claimed the cheese did, in fact, originate in the village in the 18th Century. In 2011, Stilton resident and local historian Richard Landy claimed to have documents that could potentially prove the cheese was first produced there. Mr Landy told the BBC at the time: "I stumbled across a reference to a recipe on the internet that had been sent to Richard Bradley, the first professor of botany at Cambridge University. "This recipe was not only earlier than any previous recipe that had been published, but it also says that the cheese was produced in the village of Stilton." The conversation continues to this day, with residents and a former MP calling for a change in the law to allow the cheese to be made in the village. A row about the origins of Stilton and who can make it has been rumbling for years. The Stilton Cheesemakers' Association achieved Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status for blue Stilton from the European Commission in 1996. This meant that only cheese produced in three counties - Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire - could be called Stilton. Despite Brexit, the legal protection continues. Stilton is one of just a few products that enjoy this status. Many English regional cheeses, such as Lancashire, Red Leicester and Double Gloucester, are not protected. While Stilton continues to have special protection, it is not the only British food or drink product to enjoy this. Scotch Whisky, for example, can only be produced, unsurprisingly, in Scotland, and even within that there are tightly controlled regions. For instance, Campbeltown whiskies can only come from a specific part of the Kintyre peninsula, while Islay whiskies must be from the island of the same name. And although you can find a pastry-encrusted snack of meat, potato and vegetables almost anywhere these days, a true Cornish Pasty must originate from Cornwall. The same applies to another famous meat and pastry product. If your pork pie is not from the Leicestershire town, it cannot be called a Melton Mowbray. Similarly, if your oyster does not come from Pembrokeshire, then it does not qualify as a Pembrokeshire Rock Oyster. The annual cheese-rolling event in the Cambridgeshire village dates back to the 1950s. The tradition was started by four publicans who were thinking of ways to generate income after Stilton was bypassed by the A1 in 1959, Adam Leon, one of its organisers previously told the BBC. The event was paused for seven years because organisers said it was no longer seen as "cool", but it returned in 2024. You would be forgiven for thinking a cheese-rolling festival would involve the dairy product itself. However, 12in (30cm) sections of an old telegraph pole are painted to look like a cheese. To participate, all teams must consist of four members, and the "cheeses" must be rolled by hand. Each team member has to roll the cheese at least once during the race, which takes place on on a course of about 30m (100ft) in length. Typically, people have taken part wearing fancy dress, and in the past teams of nuns, Smurfs and even a tribute to rock band Kiss have participated. Former Conservative MP for North West Cambridgeshire, Shailesh Vara, is one of the people who have been voicing their opinions on the cheese's origins. Mr Vara, who lost his seat to Labour's Sam Carling in July 2024, said: "Stilton cheese was historically made in the village, and I know there has been a bit of dispute about that. "But the historical evidence that I have seen in the case that the cheese was made here." He added that Mr Leon, described by Mr Vara as a "local entrepreneur", had started "making efforts to make sure that we start making cheese locally again". He said: "I am in conversation with Adam and the villagers have my support, and whatever conversations they want to have with me, I am always available." According to Mr Vara, now the UK has left the European Union there is less protection on where Stilton can be produced. "That protection is no more, so we can now start making cheese. I am looking for it to be made again," he added. The UK Protected Food Names Association, however, maintains that English law protects Stilton, and that any change would undermine the cheese-making industry. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Village hosts historical cheese rolling festival Cheese rolling returns to Stilton after seven years Cheese rolling cancelled as 'no longer cool' Stilton Cheese
