In my post Vino-Licious I already showed you the typical Piedmontese cheese TOMA. I must admit that I’m very very difficult when it comes to cheese. With the many types of cheese in Holland I only liked 1 type! The less seasoned a cheese is, the more I like it… So when moving to Italy and getting to know the Toma I didn’t appreciate this cheese as it should be appreciated. But, little by little, eating this cheese in different ways, I’m now enjoying the Toma a lot and therefore I wanted to get you to know this cheese as well!!
The production of Toma is (since medieval times) closely linked to the area of the Piedmontese Alps. At this moment the production is of 1.9 million kg per year. That makes it no surprise that this cheese is the pride of Piedmont, right?! Since 1993 the Piedmontese Toma is a cheese with the denomination of origin for the Italian law and since 1996 a protected designation of origin of the European Union. It’s mostly eaten well-seasoned but to be honest I like it more when it’s less seasoned. I know I can’t help it, I’m improving but not yet there I guess! Especially eating it when only accompanied by a good glass of red wine (Gattinara Travaglini DOCG is still one of my favourites…) I prefer it to be less seasoned. But we often eat it in a risotto (‘risotto al radicchio e toma’ for example) or melted in a piadina and then I like it as well when it’s more seasoned. Really the options to enjoy this cheese are endless!
We always get ours in the small place called Campertogno (Valsesia – Piemonte). A lovely place surrounded by mountains. Perfect for a good nature-walk as well! Below a photo of the shop which is located on the road side, so you really can’t miss it!
Find out where Campertogno is located:
From Borgomanero it’s 60km (1 hour and 15 min. more or less).
La Trüna - Corso Umberto I 11, 13023 Campertogno (VC)
La Toma è la Toma… ma ti piace il Gorgonzola ?
Max
No, il gorgonzola non mi piace…ma prima non mi piaceva neanche la toma, quindi verdemo se magari in furturo mi piacera’…
This sounds like a delicious and versatile cheese! I liked learning about the history too – thanks
Thanks Meg…next time you are traveling in Piemonte I would say…give it a go
Happy Sunday!
Toma looks mouthwatering, but the picture I really like here is the one of the delicatessen (top right in the cluster of four). I wish all food shops wer like that!
I know, we’ve been for quite a while in that shop…. Wonderful and so typical. Just love it
Thanks for all your nice comments and have a wonderful weekend Finn!!
I LOVE going to explore the cheese making in Italy!
Hi, that should be very inteseting indeed. If I go and see this, I’ll promise to post about it!!
I think cheese always looks so tempting in rounds like this, and as usual your beautiful Italian location is stunning!
I agree with you Lorna! The location indeed is most beautiful! We just love these surroundings…
Thanks for your kind comment.
Another delicious food for me to track down, good thing I’m off to the deli this weekend and I will be looking for Toma to try
That’s just perfect! Really hope you can find it. It’s worth it
So do I
Oh man, how yummy looking!
Hahaha…it taste the same
I love trying different kind of cheeses… I will definitely look for TOMA next time I go shopping but I’m almost sure that its not sold in the US!! Generally I love any kind of cheese that is made into a disc… just makes me want to bite into it
hahaha
Hahaha, I just wouldn’t know to be honest. If I’m not mistaken it is sold in NY…but you’re in California right?
Yes, I am… I’ll look for it and if I find it I’ll let you know
Oh please do so. And I really hope you’ll find it
This looks really yummy.
I love trying new cheeses.
Well, if you love cheese, I’m sure you’ll enjoy this one…
How simply wonderful! Aren’t you in such a beautiful part of the world & loving it!
Oh yes I think I am. The food and nature here is really something else
The next time we are traveling in that area, I’m going to make sure I try the cheese. I’m learning so much from your posts.
Thanks Karen for such a nice compliment you are giving me. Really happy that I can show you things from Italy you didn’t know yet. And please try it out. It’s really good….had it also for lunch today
YUMMY!!