Formaggio di fossa | |
---|---|
Country of origin | Italy |
Region | Emilia-Romagna |
Town | |
Source of milk | Cow, sheep, goat, or mixed |
Aging time | 30 days prior to being placed in a pit (fossa), plus 80–100 days inside the fossa, plus 3 months after removal from the fossa |
Certification | DOP |
Related media on Commons |
Formaggio di fossa (lit. 'pit cheese') is an Italian cheese originating from Sogliano al Rubicone, in the province of Forlì-Cesena, Emilia-Romagna.[1][2]
Fossa's production process dates to the 14th century.[2] The cheese matures in pits dug in tufa,[1][2] where it matures for three months.[2][3] As well as Sogliano, the cheese is produced in Talamello, where it is known as Ambra di Talamello, and Perticara , a frazione (hamlet) of Novafeltria, both in the province of Rimini.[4]
In November 2009, fossa received denominazione di origine protetta (DOP) status.[2] In 2017, it was estimated that about 112,000 kilograms (247,000 lb) of fossa is produced annually.[4]