Provolone Piccante Cheese Aged 12 Months

Provolone Piccante is the bolder, sharper cousin of the more familiar Provolone Dolce. Hailing from Southern Italy, this semi-hard cheese is made from cow’s milk and aged for 12 months. It has a firm, dense texture and a robust, piquant flavor with a lingering tanginess. The cheese is stretched and shaped using the “pasta filata” technique — the same method used for mozzarella — and then aged in caves or cool cellars where it takes on its signature bite and deeply savory character. The longer it ages, the more pronounced its spicy, nutty, and salty notes become.

This cheese is perfect for those who love bold flavors. It’s perfect when sliced thin on a charcuterie board alongside salami, spicy soppressata, and roasted peppers. It also melts beautifully, so try it in a grilled cheese, on top of baked pasta, or melted over roasted vegetables.

• Pairings: Bold reds like Chianti, Barolo, or Zinfandel, dry Italian lager