Country of Origin: USA

Milk-type: Pasteurized Cow’s milk

Modeled after “traditional Italian farmstead cheese” (in the words of the producer), Bellavitano is perhaps most comparable to the dry, fruity sharpness of an Italian Parmesan—but with the nutty flavour and buttery finish of a Gouda or Gruyere. This well-rounded crowd pleaser is aged 10 to 12 months, and dry rubbed with freshly roasted and ground espresso—imparting a pleasantly grit to the already crunchy, crystalline mouthfeel of this cheese, and introducing a pleasantly well-rounded dark chocolate bitterness that accents, by contrast, the naturally sweet undertones of the base cheese, and coaxes out subtle note of fruit and toasted nuts.