In the past, this cheese was called  “Cacio Marzolino” because its production took used to start in March. Crossing centuries, today Pecorino Toscano PDO has become an excellence, known and appreciated both nationally and worldwide.

It is characterized by two essential elements: its deep relation with Tuscany and its production, by exclusively employing goat milk. This milk determines the unique taste, savory but, at the same time, much more delicate than other varieties of pecorino cheese. Twenty years ago, the European Union recognized these essential features, by attributing to Pecorino Toscano the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO).

A high quality certification, strengthening the close link between Pecorino and Tuscany and establishing a detailed rules of production, in order to give consumers the absolute certainty of buying the authentic Pecorino Toscano PDO.
Both milk production and ageing must take place within the area of the Place of Origin. Only four sheep breeds can be employed for production: Appenninica, Sarda, Massese and Comisana. There are two varieties of Pecorino Toscano PDO: the fresh one and the matured one. The difference is related to the length of the ageing process: 20 days for the first and at least 4 months for the latter. They also have a slightly different color: mature Pecorino has a dark yellow texture while that of the fresh one is lighter.

As for production, today there are 15 dairy industries, spread all over the 10 provinces within the PDO area, 870 certified factories, about 3 thousands people employed in the supply chain only and 3 thousand tons produced every year. In 2015, the Consorzio di Tutela del Pecorino Toscano DOP – which supervise the sector – celebrated its 30th anniversary. Its activity is characterized by the promotion and valorization of the cheese, focusing on communication and the use of new media, and the fight against food counterfeiting and related fraud.

Today, the ancient origins of Pecorino Toscano coexist with a modern, future-oriented view of the product, allowing it to have a starring role at Tuscan tables and in many others in Italy and internationally, reaching France, Germany and also the US, showing important growth prospects in many interesting markets, such as the Middle East. In 2013, to favor this new trend, the first Pecorino Toscano PDO with Halal certification appeared on the market, produced in compliance of Islamic rules.

Thanks to: Consorzio del Pecorino Toscano DOP

– See more at: http://www.iloveitalianfood.org/products/pecorino-toscano-dop-in-principio-un-cacio-oggi-formaggio-dop-eccellenza-del-made-in-italy/#sthash.cK5rBK81.dpuf