Tetilla | |
---|---|
Other names | Perilla, Queixo da Illana |
Country of origin | Spain |
Region | Galicia |
Source of milk | Cows' milk |
Pasteurised | Yes |
Texture | Soft, creamy |
Fat content | >50% |
Dimensions | 90 to 150 mm |
Weight | 0.5 to 1.5 kg (1.1 to 3.3 lb) |
Certification | DO 1993 DOP 1996 |
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Tetilla, also known as Queso Tetilla, is a cow's-milk cheese produced in Galicia, Spain. It is traditionally molded into a peaked, conical form, which resembles a human breast. It is a common element in Galician cuisine, where it is often used as a dessert.
Tetilla is made in Galicia, in the northwestern corner of Spain. Galicia's proximity to the cool waters of the Atlantic creates an oceanic to sub-oceanic climate, which, combined with the region's rolling topography, allows for the existence of extensive pastures and meadows; these variables allow for an ideal environment for dairy farming. [1]
By law, tetilla cheese may only be produced from the milk of Holstein, Swiss Brown, or Rubia Gallega cattle. The milk is fermented with Lactococcus lactis bacteria, and coagulated with animal rennet. The curd is pressed into tetilla's characteristic conical shape, after which the cheese is lightly salted in brine and aged for a minimum of 8 days. [2]
As of 2016, around 2 million units of tetilla cheese are produced annually, with the majority of sales occurring within Spain. [3]
References to breast-shaped cheese can be found as early as the 1st century AD, in the writings of Pliny the Elder. [4] However, the first specific mention of tetilla cheese comes from the second half of the 18th century. [1]
Tetilla cheese has had Denominación de Origen certification since 1993 and European DOP certification since 1996. [5]
The name tetilla (Spanish for small breast; the word is also the official name in Galician) describes the shape of the cheese, which is conical and has a nipple-like peak on its top.
The cheese is pale yellow to ivory in color, and has a fine, thin rind, with a soft, creamy, uniform interior. Its flavor and aroma are described as buttery, lightly acidic, slightly salty, and reminiscent of the dairy from which the cheese was produced. It is traditionally served after dinner or as a dessert, but can be enjoyed in other dishes where a soft, meltable cheese is desired. [6]
Spanish cuisine consists of the traditions and practices of Spanish cooking. It features considerable regional diversity, with important differences between the traditions of each part of Spain.
Manchego is a cheese made in the La Mancha region of Spain from the milk of sheep of the Manchega breed. It is aged between 60 days and 2 years.
Cabrales is a blue cheese made in the artisan tradition by rural dairy farmers in Asturias, Spain. This cheese can be made from pure, unpasteurized cow’s milk or blended in the traditional manner with goat and/or sheep milk, which lends the cheese a stronger, spicier flavor.
In Spain, the denominación de origen is part of a regulatory geographical indication system used primarily for foodstuffs such as cheeses, condiments, honey, and meats, among others. In wines, it parallels the hierarchical systems of France (1935) and Italy (1963), although Rioja (1925) and Jerez (1933) preceded the full system. In foods, it performs a similar role, regulation of quality and geographical origin of products from Spain. There are five other designated categories solely for wine and a further three specifically covering food and condiments, all recognised by the European Union (EU). In Catalonia, two further categories – labelled A and Q – cover traditional Catalan artisan food products, but were not recognised by the EU as of 2007. In recent decades, the concept of the denominación de origen has been adopted by other countries, primarily in Latin America. In 2016, the use of the Denominación de Origen (DO) for wines was registered as a European Union Protected Designations of Origin/Denominación de Origen Protegida (PDO/DOP), but the traditional Portuguese term of DO can still be used legally on labels.
Goat cheese, goat's cheese, or chèvre ( or ; from French fromage de chèvre "goat cheese", is cheese made from goat's milk. Goats were among the first animals to be domesticated for producing food. Goat cheese is made around the world with a variety of recipes, giving many different styles of cheeses, from fresh and soft to aged and hard.
Galician cuisine refers to the typical dishes and ingredients found in the cuisine of the autonomous community of Galicia, Spain. These include shellfish, empanadas, polbo á feira, cheese queixo de tetilla, ribeiro and albariño wines, and orujo liquor. Similarly, to Asturian cuisine, Galician dishes have maintained several Celtic links, namely with different stews.
Canarian cuisine refers to the typical dishes and ingredients in the cuisine of the Canary Islands, and it constitutes an important element in the culture of its inhabitants. Its main features are the freshness, variety, simplicity, and richness of its ingredients, the mix of seafood and meat dishes, its cultural influences and the low knowledge of it by the rest of the world. Canarian cuisine is influenced by other cultures, especially that of the aboriginal inhabitants of the islands (Guanches), and has influenced Latin American cuisine.
Maó cheese is a soft to hard white cheese made from cows' milk, named after the town and natural port of Maó, on the island of Menorca off the Mediterranean coast of Spain. Menorca is known for its cheese production and is home to one of the most respected dairy plants in Europe.
Extremadura, Spain is known for its different ways of preparing the Iberian pork and mutton. The main characteristics of the traditional Extremaduran cuisine are its simplicity, its lack of clutter and its low cost. It is also a cuisine reflecting a generous spirit, for many of its preparations used to be cooked in large pots to share with visitors, friends, and neighbors. The resulting dishes are eaten with local bread.
Asturian Valley cattle originate from the valleys of Asturias, Spain. They are mostly raised in the northern coastal areas on the Bay of Biscay and the river valleys at the foot of the Cordillera Cantábrica mountain range. This breed belongs to an exclusive bovine group in Spain known as the tronco Cantábrico that only includes breeds native to northern Spain; it also includes the Asturian Valley cattle. of all those breeds, Asturian Valley maintain the largest number. Traditionally the cattle were used for milk, meat, and work. Since other milk breeds have been introduced to Spain, their prominence has declined in the dairy industry. They remain one of three breeds that may be used to produce Casín cheese.
The Rubia Gallega, Galician: Rubia Galega, is a breed of cattle native to the autonomous community of Galicia in north-western Spain. It is raised mainly for meat. It is distributed throughout Galicia, with about 75% of the population concentrated in the province of Lugo. The coat may be red-blond, wheaten, or cinnamon-coloured.
Cheeses in Mexico have a history that begins with the Spanish conquest, as dairy products were unknown in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. The Spanish brought dairy animals, such as cattle, sheep, and goats, as well as cheesemaking techniques. Over the colonial period, cheesemaking was modified to suit the mixed European and indigenous tastes of the inhabitants of New Spain, varying by region. This blending and variations have given rise to a number of varieties of Mexican cheeses. These are most popular in the country, although European cheeses are made, as well. Almost all cheese in Mexico is made with cows’ milk, with some made from goats’ milk. More recently, efforts have been made to promote sheep's milk cheeses. Most cheeses are made with raw (unpasteurized) milk. Cheeses are made in the home, on small farms or ranches, and by major dairy product firms. Between 20 and 40 different varieties of cheese are made in Mexico, depending on how one classifies them. Some, such as Oaxaca and panela, are made all over Mexico, but many are regional cheeses known only in certain sections on the country. Some of the least common are in danger of extinction.
Casín cheese is a Spanish cheese made in the Principality of Asturias. Its name is covered by a protected designation of origin (PDO). It is made from full-fat, unpasteurized cows' milk from specific breeds, namely Asturian Mountain, Asturian Valley (Asturiana de la Valles), Friesian and any crosses between these breeds. Specifically the geographic area of manufacture is the southern part of Asturias which includes the Redes Natural Park and associated land, this is within the municipalities of Caso, Sobrescobio and Piloña. The cheese is classified as hard and semi-hard, and can be semi-cured or cured. It takes its name from one of the breeds of cattle whose milk is used, in turn named after the town of Caso. The shape of the cheese is a thick disc-shape, sometime more conical, of 10–20 cm diameter and 4–7 cm in height. The weight is between 250 and 1,000 g.
The culture of Galicia is the patterns of human activity and symbolism associated with the Galicia region of Spain and the Galician people.
Arzúa-Ulloa cheese is a cow's milk cheese made in the Spanish autonomic region of Galicia, with Arzúa-A Ulloa Protected designation of origin (PDO) status.
Payoyo cheese is a type of cheese made from the milk of Payoya goats and Merina grazalemeña sheep in Villaluenga del Rosario and other areas of the Sierra de Grazalema, Spain. It began production in 1997 and has become a staple of Spanish delicatessen. The term payoyo is the demonym for Villaluenga del Rosario.
Turrialba cheese is a cow's milk cheese originally from Turrialba canton, in the Cartago Province of Costa Rica, it is origin protected since 2012.
Argentine cheese is by far the most produced dairy product in the country, making Argentina the second largest cheese producer in Latin America and among the top 10 cheese-producing countries in the world. In addition, Argentina is the Latin American country that consumes the most cheese, with 12 kilos per capita per year. Production is mainly centered in the provinces of Córdoba, Santa Fe and Buenos Aires, in the Pampas region of the central and east-central parts of the country.