Emilia-Romagna / Marche · Italy
Formaggio di Fossa.
Formaggio di Fossa emerges from centuries-old tufa pits as a semi-hard paradox: funky and refined, earthy and complex. Its pungent, sulfurous aroma carries whispers of truffle and fermented depth, while the paste yields to a creamy bite that unfolds with umami intensity—a cheese that tastes like soil after rain, aged wine, and something beautifully, intentionally wild.
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The story
How it's made.
Why it tastes that way.
Formaggio di Fossa has been made in Sogliano al Rubicone since the 14th century. Cheeses are buried in tufa pits lined with straw and covered from August until the Feast of St.
Catherine (November 25), during which anaerobic fermentation creates unique earthy, truffle-like flavors. PDO was granted in 2009.
Production · spec
- Milk
- Mixed · pasteurised
- Family
- Hard
- Rind
- natural
- Age
- 3–4 mo
- Protected
Tasting profile
What it tastes like.
Caseo's flavour axes are drawn from each cheese's flavour and aroma profile. This is Formaggio di Fossa'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.
Serve, cut & store
Out of the fridge,
into its prime.
Guidance for hard cheeses — general practice, not a per-wheel measurement.
Rest
Take it out about 30–60 min before serving — cold stiffens the fat and locks up the aromas; cool room temperature is when the flavour shows up.
Cut
Use a sturdy knife, or break it into craggy chunks with a spike — shards and shavings beat neat slices.
Store
Wrap leftovers in cheese paper or wax paper — never cling film, which suffocates the rind — and keep them in the warmest part of the fridge.
Rule of thumb: the softer and riper, the longer it needs. Thick pieces need longer than thin — and don't leave cheese out much past two hours.
Pairings · Caseo curated
What goes with Formaggio.
25 pairings across 8 categories.
Wine
Beer & Cider
Where to find it
Cheese counters.
Counter listings for Formaggio di Fossa are being verified. Check back soon.
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Substitutes
No Formaggio di Fossa at the counter?.
These will play a similar role on the board and in the pan.
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