| Country of Origin | Italy |
| Region | Lombardia |
| Age | 1 to 7 months |
| Classification | Hard |
| Producer | Various |
| Milk | Bruna Alpina Raw Cows’ Milk |
| Weight and shape | 5 to 15 kg (11 to 33 lb) |
| Size | Diameter 40 to 45 cm (16 to 18 inches), Height 9 cm (3.5 inches) |
| Taste | Young: Sweet, milky; Matured: Nutty with a hint of grass and hay |
| Pairing | Valcalepio Rosso, Black rye bread, Polenta, Honey |
| Texture | Thin & smooth rind; Solid paste |
| Color | Yellow-brown rind; straw-yellow paste (more golden when matured) |
This cheese is originated from a small village of Branzi in Bergamo, hence the name.
Branzi cheese uses the raw milk of Bruna Alpina (Brown Mountain) cows. In the past, this cheese was only produced in Alpine huts during the summer. Today, it is produced on all seasons.
Branzi Tasting Notes
The average aging period is between 1 to 7 months.
When young, Branzi has a milky and sweet taste. The flavor gets more intense as the cheese ages. When aged, it tastes stronger, have nutty flavor with hints of grass and hay.
How to Enjoy Branzi (PAIRING)
The locals would grade in over gnocchi or place a slice of Branzi cheese over hot polenta.
This cheese also goes well with fruits (suitable on most fruit platters); but especially with Passacrassana pears.
Alternatively, eating this cheese with honey and black rye bread is a brilliant choice for a quick and healthy snack.
Beverage wise, Branzi pairs well with most full-bodied red wines. If you can get a hold of Lomardia’s red wine such as Valcalepio Rosso then it will be a big added bonus.
Our favorite raw organic honey to go with Branzi:
- 100% pure and natural, US Grade A honey, made in partnership with ethical beekeepers.
- Harvested from nectar of a variety of different organic floral blossoms.
- Strained and never filtered, to keep the nutritional enzymes and natural pollen intact.
- Save the Bee: 1% of sales from this honey helps fund honey research on nutrition, health and colony colapse disorder.
- 48 oz. Jar
Where to Buy Branzi:
- Foodexplore.com – 2.6 kg for €53.27
- Onlyitalianproducts.it – 1 kg for €20.49
More Cheeses from Italy:
- Quartirolo Lombardo
- Strachitunt PDO
- Spressa delle Giudicarie PDO
- Trentingrana PDO
- Bitto PDO
- Vezzena
- Bra Tenero
Last update on 2023-06-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API