What is sweet Italian cheese?
Sweet Italian cheese refers to cheeses that originated in Italy and that have flavors that include a natural sweetness. Several Italian cheeses, most notably mascarpone and ricotta, are used to make sweet pastries and desserts like cannoli and tiramisu.
What makes cheese sweet?
The main source of sweetness in cheese is a step in the make process that reduces the amount of acid in the cheese. While milk contains natural sugar, or lactose, this is broken down during fermentation, and depending on the cheese, it can result in the perception of sweetness. There is more lactose present in some cheeses, especially younger cheeses, imparting a sweeter flavor than some aged cheeses. Additionally, the type of diet of the animals from which the milk is sourced may affect the sweetness of the cheese – certain grasses, for example, may give the cheese a sweeter taste. The type of culture used to make the cheese may also impact the level of sweetness in the flavor.
What are cultures in cheese?
Cultures are bacteria that are used to convert milk into curd by breaking down the milk proteins. Along with milk, salt, and a curdling agent like rennet or acid, cultures are one of the four essential ingredients for making most kinds of cheese.
What other cheeses are made in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin cheesemakers have been perfecting traditional recipes and inventing new kinds of cheese for the last 180 years, so we have more than 600 flavors, types, and varieties of cheese to share. That includes award-winning traditional cheeses like cheddar, parmesan, and gouda as well as new varieties like triple cream brie, pepper colby jack, and Canela, a cow's milk variety that's inspired by Spanish cheeses like Manchego. Our cheesemakers are also adept at many Mexican cheese types, from cotija and oaxaca to queso fresco and queso quesadilla.