Tete De Moine PDO Classic Cheese 800g

The Tête de Moine DOP, literally "monk's head," is a semi-hard Swiss cheese distinguished by its cylindrical shape and its unusual and fascinating method of consumption. Its wheels, which weigh an average of 800 grams, conceal an exquisite paste that gently melts on the palate, providing a unique sensory experience. The peculiarity of Tête de Moine PDO lies in the fact that it is not cut, but rather cracked into the shape of rosettes using special tools, the girolle or the pirouette. This way of serving it, besides being scenic, amplifies the surface of the cheese as it comes into contact with the air, allowing it to release its complex aromas to the fullest.

The origins of Tête de Moine AOC are rooted in the Middle Ages, within the walls of Bellelay Abbey, located in what is now the Bernese Jura. It is said that already the monks of the abbey used to scrape the cheese wheels with a knife placed horizontally, obtaining thin curls that they used as a medium of exchange as early as the 12th century.

A Cheese with a Thousand-Year History
The production of Tête de Moine PDO is regulated by strict production rules that protect its quality and unique characteristics. The milk used comes exclusively from dairy cows fed on fresh fodder and high-quality hay, thus ensuring a genuine product that is rich in flavor. Maturing, which takes place in cool, damp cellars, lasts at least 75 days for the Classic version up to 12 months for the special reserves. During this period, the cheese is regularly washed and turned to encourage the development of the characteristic molds that mark its rind.