Franklin's Teleme Cheese

Franklin’s Teleme is a unique soft-ripened cheese with a signature rice flour crust, renowned for its silky, runny texture and gentle tang. When young, it’s semi-soft with a delicate lemony flavor; as it ages, it becomes increasingly creamy and oozy with complex, lingering notes. Chefs prize this cheese for its versatility — used in everything from risottos and pizzas to simple cheese boards where its lush, melt-in-the-mouth texture can shine. Its distinctive crust comes from the traditional rice flour coating, which helps maintain its characteristic soft square shape.

Teleme has deep roots in California cheesemaking. Third-generation cheesemaker Franklin Peluso has been crafting this cheese since 1980, carrying on a family tradition that began when his grandfather developed the recipe in 1927 in Tomales Bay in Marin County. Peluso still uses his hands to gently squeeze and press the curds to achieve the ideal texture and moisture. Over the decades, Franklin’s Teleme has become a beloved classic, celebrated for its old-world technique and unmistakable flavor profile.

• Pairings: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, or a light Pinot Noir