Friulano is a Canadian hard cheese made from cow’s milk with a mild flavor when young and a nuttier flavor when aged. It pairs well with different wines and is commonly served as part of a cheese plate or grated over other foods. It is sometimes referred to as Italian cheddar and is aged for up to 18 months. Wine pairing suggestions include Chardonnay and dry red wines. There are many variations of this cheese that can be substituted in recipes.
Friulano is a Canadian hard cheese made from cow’s milk. This cheese has a mild flavor when young and a stronger, nuttier flavor when aged. It has a pale yellow color with very small holes. It is commonly served as part of a cheese plate, as a snack, or grated over other foods. Friulano pairs well with different styles of wine due to the variation in flavors.
The name Friulano is Italian and refers to a specific Italian region, Friuli, located in northeastern Italy. This cheese is also called Montasio or Furlano. It is sometimes referred to as Italian cheddar, even though it doesn’t taste like or resemble traditional cheddar cheese.
This cheese is aged in large blocks, each of which has a yellow rind, which is sometimes removed before the block is sold. Its texture is quite firm and the cheese contains small holes. Cheese tasters describe this product as delicate, although Friulano develops a slight nutty aroma as it ages. Its characteristic firmness makes it a good choice for grating, and it’s commonly sliced and used in sandwiches and snacks.
Friulano is made from cow’s milk curds, which are washed and cooked at relatively low temperatures, around 43°C (109°F). The curdling process is a fermentation caused by lactic acid bacteria. Sometimes an enzyme, lipase, is added to the process to produce more flavor.
Normally the cheese is made on wheels and then aged for up to four months. Typically, this lighter version is vacuum packed rather than cured. Mild versions are often served with crackers and fruit as part of a platter.
Longer aging, up to 18 months, is used for grating and for marked versions with a stronger flavor. While aging the cheese is washed and turned frequently, with the storage temperature maintained at 50°F (10°C). The seasoned version may be oiled or waxed before packing, although this depends on the manufacturer.
Wine pairing suggestions with Friulano include Chardonnay and dry red wines. The woody and fruity tones found in Chardonnay from South Africa, California or Australia are said to complement this cheese perfectly. For those who prefer red wines, connoisseurs recommend the Syrah, Grenache and Carignan varieties.
There are so many variations of this product that substitutions can often be used in recipes. Gruyere or mozzarella can be substituted for the delicate version. Emmental, oka or cantonnier can be used instead of a serving dish. For very strong aged versions, hemite or miranda are close substitutes.
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