Apulia · Italy
Canestrato Pugliese.
Canestrato Pugliese is a hard sheep's milk cheese with a piquant bite and mineral sharpness that builds on the palate, undercut by herbaceous notes of wild mountain herbs and earthy soil. Its dense, crystalline texture crumbles satisfyingly on the tongue, releasing waves of salt and aged funk. The natural rind bears the ghostly imprint of the wicker molds that shaped it—a tactile reminder of centuries-old transhumant traditions.
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The story
How it's made.
Why it tastes that way.
Canestrato Pugliese is one of Apulia's oldest cheeses, made by transhumant shepherds who drove their flocks between the Apennines and the Tavoliere plain.
The distinctive basket weave pattern on the rind comes from the wicker moulds. It received Italian DOC recognition in 1985 and EU PDO status in 1996.
Production · spec
- Milk
- Sheep · raw
- Family
- Hard
- Rind
- natural
- Age
- 2–10 mo
- Protected
Tasting profile
What it tastes like.
Caseo's flavour axes are calibrated against reference cheeses. This is Canestrato Pugliese's fingerprint.
Aroma
Nutrition · per 100g serving
What's in a wedge.
A 100g serving — about a finger-thick wedge. Daily values use the FDA 2020 reference of 2,000 kcal. Expect ±5% variation between wheels.
Estimated values — based on similar cheese family data
Pairings · Caseo curated
What goes with Canestrato.
25 pairings across 7 categories.
Wine
Spirits
Fruits & Jams
Where to find it
Cheese counters.
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