Pecorino Sardo

Pecorino Sardo is produced on the island of Sardinia off the west coast of Italy. Historically, this sheep's milk cheese was produced by sheperds in small mountain huts known as "pinnette". The natural smoke from the hut's central, open fires gives the cheese its characteristically smoky overtones. The texture of the outer rind of Pecorino Sardo is dry and hard and, depending on age, a pale golden-rust color or a deep rich burnt brown. The texture of the cheese is very firm and dense and straw-ivory in color. Flavors are sweet, rich and nut-like with notes of burned caramel, smoke and salt.