We believe that eating local dishes is one of the most important things to do on holiday and one of the best ways to become more familiar with a culture and a place. This, of course, is especially true when it comes to Italy and to Tuscany. So many famous and beloved products and dishes come from this part of the world and eating is a key tourist activity if you have found a villa in Tuscany. There are endless delicious things to eat from this especially lush and fertile part of the country but one of the must-try products from Tuscany is Pecorino cheese.
Made from 100% sheep’s milk, there are six varieties of pecorino cheese that received Protected Designation of Origin status. Pecorino Romano is one of these and one of the most famous cheeses from Italy. Other pecorino cheese are produced on the islands of Sardinia and in the Tuscan Province of Grosseto. Dating back to Roman times, when it was a staple of the diet of soldiers at war, pecorino is now often an alternative to Parmesan.
Traditional methods must be used when producing this protected food product and there are a variety of flavours due to the milk used in its production. Tuscan pecorino cheese is especially varied due to both the milk used and a tradition of having local varieties – it is, therefore, possible to go on a pecorino specific tour of the region if you are a serious foodie and cheese-lover. Tuscan pecorino varieties include the fragrant Abbucciato of Casentino, the “spicy” Il Grande Vecchio di Montefollonico of Siena, and the Pecorino della Costa Apuana from the coast near Massa e Carrara made using the milk of the local "Massese" sheep.
With plenty of long-standing sellers and makers found all over Tuscany, it is pretty easy to get your hands on some astounding pecorino cheese if you find a vacation rental in Tuscany. Plus, many other culinary delights can be found all across the region, so if you want to enjoy a foodie adventure, then a holiday in Tuscany is just the thing!