Thu, 30 Apr 2026 23:50:46 +0000

This Ancient Cheese Is Rewriting the Rules of Flavor and Fame In a world where food trends rise and fade rapidly, one ancient cheese has emerged not just to survive—but to redefine what cheese can be: Fossa Romano, a time-honored specialty hailing from the rugged highlands of Southern Italy. Once a humble staple in monastic ovens centuries ago, this robust, tangy cheese is now captivating gourmands, sommeliers, and celebrity chefs alike, shaking up the modern cheese landscape and challenging established flavor norms. ### A Journey Through Time Fossa Romano’s roots stretch back to the early Abbey of Montevergine, where monks preserved milk using traditional methods passed through generations. Made from raw cow or buffalo milk—depending on regional tradition—this wheel-aged cheese matures for months in cool, humid caves, resulting in a deep, complex flavor profile melange of nuttiness, smoky undercurrents, and a vibrant acidity that lingers on the palate.