Taleggio: How to Eat, Healthy or Not, Types, and More

Nutrition Facts

How to Eat Taleggio Cheese

Taleggio cheese is a versatile form of cheese that can be consumed in numerous ways, both as an individual treat and as part of various recipes. With its creamy texture and distinctive flavor, it is one of the favorites among cheese lovers and has included itself in various culinary delights of Italy. The easiest way to experience Taleggio is as a part of any cheese board. Before eating, bring the cheese to room temperature so it is soft and oozing with its full natural flavors. Enjoy it on crusty bread or crackers for a hearty snack.

Of course, the rind is edible and adds a lot of flavor; however, it has a very strong flavor too, so I usually avoid eating that. If there is any mold on the rind, scrape those spots off before eating it. Taleggio is fabulous when melted on food too.

This cheese melts fabulously, making it seriously versatile in that it goes great as a grilled sandwich and on pizza risottos, etc. For something meltingly gorgeous, try the Taleggio melted over a hamburger or in a creamy pasta sauce for resilience and depth. Add it to a risotto or polenta for the yummy richness of its earthy flavor among other more mild ingredients. You can also use it in cheese sauce to pour over steamed veggies, or as a dip with fries.

What is Taleggio Cheese Used For?

Taleggio cheese has a great texture and pairs well with many flavors in Italian cooking. It’s commonly found in so many different foods for both texture and flavor. Taleggio one reason taleggiro has been embraced to make fondues, gratins and quiche is because its a fantastic melting cheese. The plant is very neutral and may be paired with almost anything so you can add it to many dishes.

The Taleggio can be stirred into pasta sauces before serving to enhance the creaminess and flavor. It is also used in pizzas, and savoury tarts bringing warm flavour. Interpreting these classics, Taleggio can be melted on a polenta or grilled cheese sandwich for quick and easy gourmet twist.

It is Also Perfect for Salads Taleggio The creamy tang of goat cheese also tends to be aged and dry in nature, which makes it easy to crumble over greens. It also goes great with apples and pears, so it makes a good cheese and fruit plate.

What Kind of Cheese is Taleggio Cheese?

Taleggio is a spongy, washed-rind cheese produced from cow’s milk. It comes from Italy, more precisely the region of Lombardy, and is indeed an old cheese known since the ninth century. The cheese is produced in the Val Taleggio, which lies between Lombardy and Piedmont. Taleggio is particularly tangy because the rind of each wheel is washed with salt brine as it matures for 35 to 50 days. This process imparts the cheese with its unique aroma and flavor that is pronounced as fruity, tangy & slightly mushroomy.

Taleggio: The rind on Taleggio cheese is thin and has a pinkish color with patches of gray or green mold (which are normal for the type). It is a yellowish-cream in hue on the inside, and its texture soft like adhesive. There’s an intense umami depth of flavor in these slices — along with a rich, charry hint of earthiness and tangy finish. Though it smells strong, Taleggio’s flavor is milder and good for beginners who avoid stronger cheeses.

Is Taleggio Cheese Healthy?

Taleggio cheese, when consumed in moderation as a part of a healthy diet, provides numerous health benefits. It adds a good amount of protein, essential amino acids for muscle repair and growth. The cheese is also an excellent source of calcium, essential for healthy bones and teeth. It is also a good source of vitamins A (helpful for maintaining healthy eyes) and B12, which our bodies need to produce red blood cells.

One of the health advantages is that Taleggio with a big screen body contains probiotics. The bacteria that play a role in the cheese’s fermentative process can improve gut health, maintain an optimum balance of good and regular flora within the digestive system. But like many cheeses, Taleggio is also high in fat and calories; hence it should be come within a diet into moderation. Taleggio also has a relatively low lactose content — as do most aged cheeses, which can make it easier to digest for some people who are concerned about lactose in their food.

Taleggio Cheese Pairing

The Taleggio cheese when paired with the right accompaniments only augments its flavors and creates a delectable culinary journey for you. The creaminess and powerful taste of Taleggio makes it excellent for pairing with different meals and drinks. Lovable with any crusty bread or a better class of cracker.

Accompanied by fruits like apples, pears, and grapes brings out the tanginess in cheese with a refreshing contrast. Taleggio is delicious with crunchy, earthy nuts, especially walnuts, on a cheese board.

Taleggio cheese pairs well with medium to full red wines like Barbera or Merlot. For the white wine drinkers, Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay will be great as they have fresher acids in contrast. Prosecco or Champagne for those who prefer something bubbly.

Best Substitute for Taleggio Cheese

Your desired flavor and texture will decide if Taleggio is a good substitute. A substitute closest to Parmigiano-Reggiano is Fontina cheese because of its mildness in texture and odor, however, it has an immense advantage while being cooked (for dishes that require melting cheese). Brie — With a soft, creamy texture and mild buttery flavor brie is another great cheese to substitute for similar reasons.

It does pack a little less heat but it is good in sweet + savory dishes alike. Camembert — a little stronger in taste and creamier than brie; it works well as an alternative. Alternatively, positively pungent Limburger can be considered for a stronger aroma. And, lastly Gruyère which is nutty and very mild in flavor but functions well as a good melting cheese.

What Kind of Milk is Taleggio?

Taleggio cheese is made from cow’s milk, which contributes to its creamy texture and rich flavor. This Italian cheese is part of the washed-rind cheese family, known for its strong aroma and soft, buttery consistency. Cow’s milk gives Taleggio its mild tanginess and fruity notes, which intensify with age. The cheese is made in large squares with a thin, edible rind that turns orange as it ages.

What Does Taleggio Cheese Smell Like?

Taleggio cheese has a strong smell of “Stinky feet” odor that many people refer to as being earthy and tangy. Its strong smell comes from washing the rind with brine in open-air caves to develop bacteria. While this aroma might turn some off, it is also what makes the cheese so alluring and multi-dimensional. For how pungent it reeks, Taleggio is actually quite a mild and creamy cheese with fruity and tangy notes.

What is Taleggio Washed With?

Taleggio cheese, for example, is rinsed in a saltwater brine. Washing the cheese is important as this contributes significantly to washed-rind cheeses forming their unique rind and powerful aroma. The brine wash will also support the growth of bacteria like Brevibacterium linens that gives this cheese its distinctive reddish-orange hue and stench. This process adds to the cheese’s smell, smooth texture, and rich flavor.

What Does Taleggio Cheese Look Like?

Taleggio cheese is traditionally formed in large square blocks with a thin crust that forms an herbarium (hard to the touch) having a rosy ocher attributable from Pigment producing bacteria. The cheese is pale yellow and creamy inside, with the texture varying from soft to melting as it ages. The rind is typically a little sticky, mostly due to the brine-washing technique. Taleggio has a smooth surface when purchased and cut into, it is buttery in texture as well (which melts like magic). This cheese stands out at any party with its strong smell and look.