Share:

Cheese is one of the most important elements used in Italian cuisine. The country produces a variety of flavorful and unique cheeses that add taste and texture to some of your favorite dishes, from pasta to desserts.

Popular Types of Cheese in Italian Food

1. Ricotta

This variety is a soft, creamy cheese that comes from Tuscany. This sweet cheese is usually made from cow milk, but it can also be created with sheep or goat milk. You can usually find it as a filling in pasta dishes, such as ravioli, or even popular Italian desserts, like cannolis.

2. Parmigiano-Reggiano

Common throughout Italian cuisine, Parmigiano-Reggiano is a hard cheese that can be crumbled or grated to use as a topping. It has a sharp, salty flavor that accentuates pasta and tomato-based dishes, like capellini e gamberi and gnocchi sorrentina.

3. Mascarpone

italian cuisineCreamy and sweet, this cheese is usually included in Italian desserts, like tiramisu. Due to its light and fluffy texture, it can also be an alternative to whipped cream, topping other sweet dishes. Marscarpone comes from the northern region of Italy near Milan and Lombardy.

4. Mozzarella

Mozzarella is a soft cheese made from buffalo milk. Although it originated near Naples, this cheese has become popular around the world. It’s frequently added to pizzas, pasta, and bruschetta.

5. Asiago

Named after its hometown, the Asiago Plateau of Italy, this cheese has a mild flavor that pairs well with bread, spiced meats, and salads. It’s a relatively hard cheese that’s frequently used for topping food; however, it doesn’t overpower dishes and can easily be enjoyed standalone as a snack.

 

If you want to try these cheeses in an authentic dish, head to Il Lupino Trattoria & Wine Bar in Honolulu, HI. Founded by Wolfgang Zwiener, this eatery specializes in Italian cuisine, offering authentic dishes, such as carbonara and pescatore. Get your cheese fix by ordering their assorted cheese platter, which is accompanied by cured meats and bread. View their lunch and dinner menu online, or call (808) 922-3400 to make a reservation.

tracking