Description
The Formaella Arachovas Parnassou PDO is a semi-hard cheese, which is produced with goat's milk or sheep's milk, or with a mixture of ovine and caprine milk.
Production Area
The production area of the Formaella Arachovas Parnassou PDO is within the boundaries of Arachova of Parnassus in the prefecture of Boeotia, in the Central Greece region.
Production Method
The milk curdles at approximately 32°C and this operation lasts for about two hours. The curd is heated for 10 minutes at 40°C, and is then divided into parts sized accordingly to fit the special moulds (forms or baskets). Afterwards, the moulds with the cheese are immersed in whey at a temperature of 60°C for one hour. Successively, they are taken out and immersed once more, upside down, in milk heated to 75-80°C for an hour. After the cheeses have been removed along with the moulds, they are salted and left to dry for 24 hours. Then they are removed from the moulds and placed on shelves for four days, until the drying process is completed. The moulds holding the cheeses are forms or baskets approximately 13 cm long and with a diameter of approximately 8 cm.
Appearance and Flavour
The Formaella Arachovas Parnassou PDO is a cheese characterised by a compact structure and with a striped look on the outside, characteristic due to the reed mat on which it is placed for drying; it has a cylindrical shape and a light yellow colour. It is characterised by a very pleasant taste and aroma.
History
The Formaella Arachovas Parnassou PDO has been produced in the mountainous area of Arachova for at least a century, and is appreciated for its particular taste characteristics by local residents and tourists that visit the Delphi archaeological site and the Parnassus Ski Centre.
Gastronomy
The Formaella Arachovas Parnassou PDO is best preserved in a cool and dry place. This product can be eaten plain, as ingredient in the typical regional dishes, or cooked, either fried or barbecued.
Marketing
The product is sold as Formaella Arachovas Parnassou PDO. It is marketed whole, over the counter or pre-packaged in slices.
Distinctive Features
The milk used for the Formaella Arachovas Parnassou PDO is obtained from races of sheep and goats bred traditionally in the mountainous region of Arachova, perfectly adapted to the area's environment and with a nutrition based on its flora.
