#16 - Sottocenere with Truffles

The first thing that struck me about this cheese was its gray rind. It is such a great color, and makes the subtle yellow of the cheese stand out a bit. As it turns out, Sottocenere, according to Wikipedia, gets its name from its ash rind (Sottocenere means "under ash"). This is a traditional method developed in Venice, which not only helps to preserve the cheese for a long time, but also imparts flavors from the spices and truffles they mix into the ash.

BUT - cheese is certainly not just for looking at! This Sottocenere was a delight to my tastebuds! The cheese itself is soft and creamy, and the truffles that are layered within it were (as one might expect) just decadent.

The Cowgirls say: 

"Obvious though it may be, the pronounced aroma of truffles is the first thing you'll notice when cutting into this beautiful semi-firm cheese. Sottocenere, a grand wheel encased in a brittle, grey rind of ashes, truffles, herbs and spices, literally translates to "under ash." Notes of scalded cream and vanilla manage to sneak past the predominantly earthy flavor profile. Studded with slices of rich, black truffle, this cheese creates a sense of mystery and elegance."