Our Christmas orders are now closed. You can still buy our Cheese Subscriptions to start in January, as well as book our courses and tasting events. If you want to purchase vouchers you can do so until the 20th December but please note that it can take up to 48 hours for the vouchers to be emailed to you as we process these manually.

We have a full counter of cheese in our shop in Pangbourne so you can still come in and purchase items in store

A photo of a wedge of Taleggio PDO cheese sitting on a wooden table

Taleggio PDO Cheese

Price range: £2.45 through £14.70

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Named after the valley of its origin, Taleggio has been made in the same way for centuries. Its fragrant rind is edible and stands in great contrast to the creamy interior. The combination of rind and paste is a mouthful of deliciousness.

  • Cow’s milk cheese
  • Lombardy, Italy
  • Mild
  • Pasteurised milk
  • Animal rennet
  • Available in wedges or as a whole cheese
Description

Description

Taleggio PDO Cheese

About Taleggio PDO

Taleggio PDO cheese hails from northern Italy, specifically the Val Taleggio, a valley in the Lombardy region near Bergamo. Its history stretches back to at least the 9th or 10th century, making it one of Italy’s oldest soft cheeses. Originally, it was a way for farmers to preserve surplus milk during colder months. Cows were brought down from alpine pastures into the valleys for winter, and cheesemaking developed into both a necessity and a regional art. Over time, Taleggio evolved from a local staple into a nationally protected product, earning PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) status. Authentic Taleggio must be made in specific regions using time-honoured methods.

Taleggio is still made the old-fashioned way, using whole cow’s milk – sometimes just from a single milking. The milk is gently warmed, curdled, and then the curds are cut and popped into moulds, pressed just enough to hold together. After a sprinkle of salt, the cheeses are left to mature in cool, damp rooms (or caves, if you’re lucky). Over the next six to ten weeks, they get regular brine washes, which is what gives Taleggio its famous aroma and that tangy, savoury rind.

 

Protected by PDO Tradition

Taleggio’s PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) status safeguards the cheese’s deep regional identity and production methods. This designation ensures that authentic Taleggio is produced only in specific areas of northern Italy, primarily Lombardy, with parts of Piedmont and Veneto, using whole cow’s milk and traditional techniques. The PDO also regulates details such as ageing conditions and rind washing, preserving the cheese’s distinctive aroma, texture, and flavour.

Did You Know?

Each square cheese has four circles imprinted on its rind. Three of these contain a T and the fourth gives the number of the dairy where the cheese was made.

Taleggio PDO – Jen’s Tasting Notes

The texture is one of my favourite things about Taleggio. When it’s young, it’s springy and slices easily, but as it ripens, it goes all soft and gooey, especially around the edges. If you leave it out at room temperature, it’ll start to ooze just a little perfect for melting into something warm.

Its flavour is a lovely mix: buttery and milky, with hints of yeast, hay, mushrooms, and sometimes a bit of savoury meatiness. There’s a gentle tang and a touch of salt, but nothing too much. It’s the sort of cheese that wins over people who think they don’t like ‘stinky’ cheeses.

 

How to Serve and Pair Taleggio
  • Make sure you take it out of the fridge a good hour before you want to eat it so it can come up to room temperature.
  • Classic pairings: In Lombardy they would drink Franciacorta (a locally made sparkling wine) with it – the gentle bubbles and acidity provide a lovely balance to the Taleggio.
  • Something a little different: A Belgian-style saison is a surprisingly perfect match.
  • On the plate: A caramelised onion chutney is divine but I also love roasted mushrooms with Taleggio as well.
  • In the kitchen: Taleggio is there for melting. It’s brilliant on a pizza or stirred into hot pasta..

 

Jen’s note: Taleggio isn’t about being showy or extreme. It’s all about balance: strong but gentle, rustic yet a bit refined, old but always adaptable. Once you get to know it, it’s the sort of cheese you find yourself coming back to again and again, slice after slice.

 

Buying Taleggio PDO
  • Brand or Producer: Caseificio Defendi
  • Product name: Taleggio PDO
  • Milk: Cow
  • Country: Italy
  • Region: Lombardy
  • Strength: Mild with a smelly kick!
  • Vegetarian: No
  • Suitable for pregnancy: No
  • Allergens: MILK

 

Sizes and Prices

  • 100g wedge, £2.45
  • 500g wedge, £12.25
  • Whole cheese (approx. 2.2kg), available to pre-order

 

Storage Advice

  • Keep refrigerated
  • Wrap in waxed paper or cling film
  • Remove from the fridge before serving
  • Consume within 10 to 14 days of opening

 

Delivery and Collection

  • UK wide courier delivery
  • Click and collect from our Pangbourne shop
  • Free local delivery available for selected postcodes

 

Ingredients (Allergens are listed in capitals)

MILK, starter cultures, rennet, salt.

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Christmas Opening Hours

Normal opening Monday – Saturday 9am – 4pm until:

Sunday 22nd 9am – 4pm
Monday 23rd 9am – 4pm
Christmas Eve 9am – 12pm
Christmas Day Closed
Boxing Day Closed
Friday 27th Closed
Saturday 28th 9am – 4pm
Sunday 29th Closed
Monday 30th 9am – 2pm
Tuesday 31st 9am – 2pm
New Year’s Day Closed
Thursday 2nd January Closed
Friday 3rd 9am – 4pm then open as normal

After Christmas our courier delivery slots start from 8th January.