• My Account
  • Cart
Items: 0

Especially Puglia

From Puglia to your table

  • About
  • Adopt
    • adopt_an_olivetree
      Adopt an Olive Tree from Puglia
    • menu-adopt_a_beehive
      Adopt a Beehive from Puglia
    • adopt_a_cow
      Adopt a Cow from Puglia
    • Adopt an Olive Tree
    • Adopt a Beehive
    • Adopt a Cow
  • Farmers
  • Blog
  • Visit Puglia
  • Shop

A Cheese-Lover’s Guide to Pugliese Cheeses

Dec 11 2019

0161024_GLB1903

The sun-soaked heel of Italy, Puglia already flirts with its sea of olive tree-studded countryside and hundreds of miles of unbelievable coastline. However, did you know that this agricultural-rich region is also responsible for some of the most heavenly cheeses in the world? We might be biased, and we certainly don’t want to “dis a brie”, but we have to admit that nothing comes close to the brilliance of these Pugliese cheeses. 

Burrata

If you’ve ever watched someone break into a tender ball of Burrata then you’ve seen the magic of this famous Pugliese cheese at work. While the cheese looks similar to mozzarella, a gentle slice of a knife will allow the rich, buttery insides to come flowing out. You may find this creamy cheese drizzled with olive oil and served alongside homemade bread, or for added decadence Burrata can also be piled high on pizza to concoct the dream comfort food.  

Caciocavallo Podolico

This cheese holds a special place in our hearts. After all, our Adopt a Cow specialty box comes with locally sourced Caciocavallo Podolico cheese from one of our local farms. This rare Italian cheese is made from milk produced by Podolica cows that are fed a generous helping of herbs, resulting in herb-rich flavored milk that creates a rich cheese that needs years to ripen. This full-bodied cheese is the perfect blend of smoked spice and delicate fruitiness. Some restaurants will even dish out fried Caciocavallo cheese along with fresh basil and cherry tomatoes. We can’t say enough about this life-changing cheese that you have to taste to believe. 

Fallone di Gravina 

A blend of sheep and goat’s milk, Fallone di Gravina is a delectable rind-less fromage that is soft and delicate but has a distinct spicy flavor. This cheese is almost always consumed on the very same day it was produced, meaning that you won’t find a Fallone di Gravina that’s fresher than in the region of Puglia. It also pairs quite nicely with a chilled glass of Martina Bianco DOP.

Cacioricotta

This one-of-a-kind soft cheese is Puglia’s take on ricotta. It’s created using cow, goat or sheep’s milk and two different cheese-making techniques that include curdling the milk. Traditionally produced in the spring, cacioricotta is flaky and delicate with the perfect hint of saltiness. It can be grated onto pizza, tomato-based pasta dishes and salads, or served with local bread and a full-bodied Primitivo.  

Mozzarella 

This cheese really needs no introduction, but we’d be remiss not to mention it, since Puglia is one of the main producers of this pizza-loving cheese. This beloved and versatile cheese is actually rather simple to make since it doesn’t go through the same aging process that hard cheeses like Parmesan do. Once mozzarella is made it’s ready to eat, so you never have to wait too long (which we love to hear!). Mozzarella isn’t just for pizza, however. It also compliments salads, pasta, roasted vegetables and even fruits such as melons and pears. 

Canestrato Pugliese DOP 

Typical to the cities of Foggia and Bari, Canestrato is a dense and nutty pecorino-style cheese made from sheep’s milk. The cheese is aged anywhere from 3-10 months and offers a slight sweetness that becomes more prominent with age. This hard cheese is a popular table cheese, often grated over pears and raw vegetables, as well as soups, salads and pasta. 

Stracciatella Pugliese

You remember the amazing creaminess that flows out of Burrata when you cut into it? Well, stracciatella cheese is that creamy filling, made from a blend of cream and strips of mozzarella cheese left over from mozzarella making. It’s easy to understand why anyone would love this perfectly creamy cheese, as it’s an incredibly versatile cheese. It can be added to pizza, pasta, bruschetta or just about any delicious Italian dish you can think of. 

Pallone di Gravina 

Not to be confused with Fallone di Gravina, Pallone di Gravina is a traditional cow’s milk cheese hailing from the town of Gravina. This cow’s milk cheese is shaped into balls, which once made it easy to transport on donkeys during the migration of livestock centuries ago. Today, this cheese is most often produced during the months of January and March, when the lush grass makes for more flavorful milk. Pallone di Gravina that has undergone a long maturation process offers hints of caramel and local herbs, which can compliment many Italian dishes or simply be enjoyed by itself with a bold red wine. 

Giuncata 

Giuncata is one of the oldest Pugliese cheeses. This soft delicate cow, goat or sheep’s milk cheese offers a hint of sweetness while also being low calorie. Giuncata requires a very simple preparation and is not salted or seasoned. This delightful table cheese should be enjoyed immediately after it’s produced, and you’ll often find it served with a drizzle of olive oil, freshly baked bread or vegetables such as fresh tomatoes and fennel. Pair it with a chilled rosé and your life with be forever changed. 

Ricotta Marzotica

Along with the ricotta-like Cacioricotta, Puglia is also known for making Ricotta Marzotica. Made between the months of February and April, this soft cheese can also be produced from cow, sheep or goat’s milk. Once the cheese is made it’s covered with local wild herbs to add a little extra flavor. This salted cheese is often served during Easter, particularly alongside a dish of broad beans. Of course, the light flavor and softness can also add a little extra decadence to vegetables, pasta and even desserts. 

Stay tuned in the coming months for news about our new Spring FarmStay Tour in Puglia that will put the limelight on this region’s amazing cheeses. Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime gastronomic

Posted by Editor · Categorized: General, Visit Puglia

Explore

  • Extra Virgin Olive Oils
  • FarmStay
  • General
  • Honey
  • Pugliese Recipes
  • Recipes
  • Seasonality
  • Visit Puglia
  • Wine

Newsletter

Follow Us @EspeciallyPuglia

especiallypuglia

Especially Puglia
🍪 Do you know the taralli pugliesi? They are 🍪 Do you know the taralli pugliesi? 

They are a typical kind of Apulian salty biscuits, a very popular food in our region, that is also famously eaten all over the Italian peninsula.

Legend says that they were born in the XV century, because of a bread famine that hit Puglia: that is why Italian housewives decided to prepare a substitute to it, by using what they had available at home.

Their dough is made with olive oil, wheat flour and water, but it can also be seasoned with fennel seeds, onions, olives, cheese and pepper and rosemary. 🍪

#Puglia #pugliese #Apulian #taralli #tarallini #curiosity #history #foodie #NewYork #NewYorkCity #italianfood #Italy #apulianfood #regionalfood #typical #traditional
❄️🥦 Winter in Puglia means turnip greens se ❄️🥦 Winter in Puglia means turnip greens season! But what are they? 

They are the non-bloomed flowers of the turnip, very common in our cuisine and they can be used in many ways: the most common is to use them as the main ingredient for orecchiette con le cime di rapa, a pillar of this regional gastronomy!

They are also rich in useful substances, such as vitamins, minerals and polyphenols and they taste bitter and pungent, giving a nice flavor to the food preparations. So, what are you waiting for? You should definitely try them out! ❄️🥦

Check the link in our bio and story to read our latest blog article. 📝

#Puglia #pugliese #Apulian #cimedirapa #turnipgreens #orecchiette #pasta #foodie #NewYork #NewYorkCity #italianfood #Italy #apulianfood #regionalfood #typical #traditional photo credits: @pugliakitchen
The final day of 2022 is upon us. Here are Especi The final day of 2022 is upon us.  Here are Especially Puglia we wish you many great moments, meals, and memories in 2023.  Click the link in bio to sign up for our Newsletter and learn about upcoming experiences in Puglia.  Make this a year to remember and get closer to the ingredients that you love.  Join one of our culinary tours this Spring and Fall and see Italy like you've never seen it before.
2023 is only two days away. Company holiday parti 2023 is only two days away.  Company holiday parties, white elephants, and last minute gifts?  Our digital gift cards allow your friends and coworkers to choose from our Apulian honey, our incredible Extra Virgin Olive Oils and more. Link in bio to make someone's New Year!
There's nothing quite like Italy for Christmas. T There's nothing quite like Italy for Christmas.  The many holiday foods, markets and festivities bring Solento, the very heel of the boot, to life.  From beautiful nativity scenes in Specchia to handmade puppet fairs in Lecce, Puglia offers a beacon of light during the darkest month of the year.  Dreaming of Italy? Plan your next vacation to Puglia and join us on culinary tours this spring and fall.  Link in bio to inquire!
This year's EVOO harvest arrives in just a few wee This year's EVOO harvest arrives in just a few weeks. Pre-order now through our Adopt an Olive Tree program and receive a digital certificate of adoption that your loved ones can open on Christmas Day!  Link in bio to make those last minute gifts count!
For friends who enjoy a little sweetness in their For friends who enjoy a little sweetness in their life, send our Pugliese honey this holiday season.  Our apiaries are home to bees that feast on acacia flowers, orange blossoms and sunflowers to name a few - imparting a variety of bouquets upon the flavors of the honeys. Link in bio to check off Santa's list!
Still in need of holiday gifts this season? Pre-o Still in need of holiday gifts this season?  Pre-order the Extra Virgin Olive Oil Harvest of 2022 inbounding this January.  Link in bio to order!
These “little ears” or orecchiette, are the re These “little ears” or orecchiette, are the renowned pasta of Puglia and a true national treasure.  Walk through the streets of Bari and you will find pasta grannies folding the little morsels by hand at lightening fast speed.  Enjoy them with a pomodoro sauce or cime di rapa - Cucina povera at it's finest.  Link in bio to sign up to our newsletter and get more Italian inspiration straight to your inbox!
White Lotus season finale has you dreaming of a va White Lotus season finale has you dreaming of a vacation to Italy?  Join Especially Puglia for a tour of the heel, exploring its history and Baroque architecture, its natural beauty from beaches to olive groves, and the many wonderful culinary traditions from EVOO, to mozzarella to orecchiette.  Link in bio to inquire about a trip to Puglia this spring or fall Harvest 2023!
This year's harvest of extra virgin olive oil is i This year's harvest of extra virgin olive oil is inbounding this January!  It is going to sell out quickly, so pre-order today to ensure your pantry is stocked with the most essential ingredient.  We love our Pugliese olive farmers who use the best production practices for the earth and their product to ensure nothing but the best for you!  Link in bio to PRE-ORDER NOW!
The holiday season is upon us and Especially Pugli The holiday season is upon us and Especially Puglia has all the gift ideas in store.  Sign up for our Newsletter for new inspiration every week.  Link in bio to get all of the details straight to your inbox.
Pre-orders are now open for this season's olive oi Pre-orders are now open for this season's olive oil harvest!  Choose from one of five masserias we work with across Puglia.  Each masseria has it's own distinct flavor profile resulting from their chosen varietals and the unique terroir of their orchards.  The farmers we support work hard to protect the land and trees to provide the best possible ingredient. The single-source extra virgin olive oils we make from their trees are the essential addition to your pantry - elevating everything they touch. Link in bio to pre-order!
Olive oil is undoubtedly one of the most common co Olive oil is undoubtedly one of the most common condiments found on our dining tables; yet, it is sometimes avoided and viewed as unhealthy. On the contrary, studies prove that the fatty acids and antioxidants found in olive oil offer several health benefits, including a reduced risk of heart disease. 

With the new year right around the corner, why not make a resolution to do something good for your health and for the palate.  Our new harvest of small producer Apulian EVOO - an iconic region for olive oil production - is ready for you!

Click the link in bio to read more about the health benefits of extra virgin olive oil and preorder the new harvest of Apulian EVOO by clicking the link in photo!
Need ideas for your New Years gathering?! Be like Need ideas for your New Years gathering?! Be like the Italians, and follow your antipasti course with Cotechino and Lenticchie.  This dish is composed of braised lentils with rich cotechino pork sausage that originates in Emilia Romagna.  The legend goes that those who eat these coin-shaped legumes will have prosperity in the new year, and the more you eat the better!
Happy Boxing Day everyone! We hope you had a wonde Happy Boxing Day everyone! We hope you had a wonderful holiday with friends and family. Remember the new harvest is here! 

Enjoy the freshest experience when our EVOO arrives right off the boat mid-January.  Olive oil is the very best when it is enjoyed fresh from the press so place your orders soon or DM for more details.
The festive season is magical anywhere, but even m The festive season is magical anywhere, but even more so in Salento. Towns and villages come alive with street markets and exhibitions full of treats, handicrafts, and traditions unique to the region and the season. Full of carefully displayed nativity scenes, beautiful sunny days and mouth-watering candy dishes, Southern Italy really is the place to be during Christmas time. Click the link in bio to read more about their Christmas traditions. 

And remember whether you want to try making some traditional Apulian dishes for you and your family, or you just want to add a little Italian touch to your holiday feasts and festivities, we can help.  Especially Puglia’s olive oil and other artisan products are the perfect addition to your pantry and a gracious gift for the holidays.  Click the link in photo to shop!
Traveling this holiday may still be up in the air Traveling this holiday may still be up in the air but let’s have fun reminiscing about the incredible vacations of years gone by.  Post a photo and tag @especiallypuglia sharing your favorite time in Puglia or Italy.  We will repost some of our favorites next week and send out 250 ml stocking stuffers of our EVOO from the 2020 harvest to 5 lucky winners!
Our small farmers from Puglia have worked hard all Our small farmers from Puglia have worked hard all harvest to share their delicious extra virgin olive oil with you.  They harvest and process everything by hand and we send it straight to your door.  Preorder the new harvest now for your holiday gifts. 

Although global shipping delays have moved the ETA to January 20th we will be sure to send the adoption certificate, information packets, and gift notes to your loved ones in time for the holidays.  They can look forward to something special in the new year!
Stocking Stuffer Giveaway! In celebration of the Stocking Stuffer Giveaway! 

In celebration of the new harvest we are giving away TEN, 250 ml extra virgin olive oil tins to TEN lucky winners.  This extra virgin olive oil is cultivated by one of our favorite farmers, Carolina Villani, in one of the most revered regions in Italy for olive oil production.  They tend a grove of Peranzana olives’ cultivar that are harvested and processed within 6 hours, directly from the field.  Follow the 3 steps below and you might get to try her 50 year old tradition! 

🫒Like the post
🫒 Follow @especiallypuglia on Instagram 
🫒 Tag two friends in the comments

We will randomly select 10 winners on Friday 12/10 and contact you from @especiallypuglia via DM.  We will ask only your email and mailing address.  In bocca al lupo!
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Connect With Us

Stay In Touch

   

Programs

  • Adopt an Olive Tree
  • Adopt a Beehive
  • Adopt a Cow
  • Corporate Gifting
  • Visit Puglia
  • Events & Catering

More Information

  • About
  • Blog
  • Account
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Shipping and Returns
  • FAQs
  • Contact

Contact Us

Especially Puglia
c/o Industry City
220 36th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11232
+1 (718) 801-8844
info@especiallypuglia.com

© 2023 Especially Puglia. All Rights Reserved.