Taleggio is a semi-soft, washed rind, smear-ripened Italian cheese that is named after the caves of Val Taleggio. The cheese has a thin crust and a strong aroma, but its flavour is comparatively mild with an unusual fruity tang. Enjoy spread on a crusty bread. It melts well, and can be used in risotto or on polenta or flatbread.
Taleggio and similar cheeses have been around since Roman times, with Cicero, Cato the Elder, and Pliny the Elder all mentioning it in their writings. The cheese was solely produced in the Val Taleggio until the late 1800s, when some production moved to the Lombardy plain to the south.
Taleggio pairs nicely with Italian Nebbiolo wines, as well as a wide range of reds and whites.
