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The Santo Stefano Journal

Stories, knowledge, and recipes from sixty years of Italian cheesemaking.

Traditional Italian creamery with large copper vats for cheesemaking

April 14, 2025 · 8 min read · Tradition

The Art of Cheese Production in Italy

Italy's cheesemaking tradition is one of the richest and most diverse in the world, stretching back to before the Roman Empire. From the Alpine valleys of Lombardy to the sun-baked plateaus of Sicily, every region has its own distinctive approach to transforming milk into something lasting and extraordinary.

In this article, we explore how Italian cheese is produced, why different regions produce such different results, and what distinguishes genuine artisan production from industrial imitation.

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Assortment of different types of Italian cheese on a rustic wooden board

March 28, 2025 · 10 min read · Education

A Guide to the Main Types of Italian Cheese

Italy officially recognises more than 400 distinct varieties of cheese, of which around 50 carry European Protected Designation of Origin status. Navigating this abundance can feel overwhelming — even for the enthusiastic amateur.

This guide introduces the most important categories of Italian cheese, the regions they come from, and the characteristics that define them. Think of it as a starting point, not a complete map.

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Cheesemaker's hands working with fresh curds during the cheesemaking process

February 12, 2025 · 9 min read · Process

How Cheese Is Made: From Milk to Wheel

Most people who enjoy Italian cheese have never thought carefully about how it is made. The transformation of fresh liquid milk into a firm, complex, aged wheel feels almost magical — and in a sense it is, even when you understand the science.

Here, step by step, we walk through the full cheesemaking process as we practise it here in our Tuscan dairy — from the morning milk collection to the final weeks in the ageing room.

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Rustic Italian pasta dish made with fresh ricotta and local herbs

January 30, 2025 · 9 min read · Recipes

Our Favourite Italian Cheese Recipes

The finest Italian cheese needs little help — a knife, good bread, perhaps a glass of wine. But there is also enormous pleasure in cooking with cheese, in letting it melt, brown, and blend with other ingredients until something new and wonderful emerges.

Here are six recipes from our family kitchen that we return to again and again. Each one allows the quality of the cheese to be the main event.

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Stay in Touch

We publish new articles about Italian cheese, dairy farming, and Tuscan food culture a few times each year. We also send occasional notes about seasonal products and market dates.

To receive these, write to us at info@latteriasantostefano.com with the subject "Newsletter" and we will add you to our mailing list.

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