Sirana Zlata (OPG Šahdanović)
Small dairy below Učka in Čepić polje making cow's and sheep's cheeses, škripavac, grating cheese, truffle cheese and skuta. Cheese is sold and tasted at the dairy and sold at the Pula main market.
About Istrian skuta
Skuta is a fresh cheese that Istrian dairies make alongside their ripened cheeses; Croatian Wikipedia describes ricotta as a type of skuta. Špin offers sheep's and cow's skuta for cooking, from starters to main courses and desserts. Sirana Zlata in Čepić polje lists homemade skuta and a gold award for it at the 2018 cheese festival in Svetvinčenat. Sirana Orbanić near Pazin lists skuta among its dairy products.
Made in: Istria, Croatia (made by individual dairies; no defined area)
Wine and cheese
What to pour with Istrian skuta
Malvazija Istarska, fresh and unoaked Istria
Our pickSkuta is a fresh, mild cheese that Istrian dairies use from starters to desserts. A young, unoaked Malvazija, medium-bodied with high acidity, is a clean counterpoint to the soft, milky curd and keeps a skuta starter light.
Off-dry and medium-sweet Istrian Muscat (Muškat Žuti, Muškat Momjanski) Istria
Our pickIstrian dairies use skuta in desserts as well as starters. Served sweet, the fresh, mild curd suits an off-dry or medium-sweet Istrian Muscat, whose grapey perfume and sweetness match the dessert while moderate acidity keeps the pairing light.
Dry rosé Istria
Our pickSkuta is fresh and mild, and a light, dry rosé with high acidity keeps pace with it, refreshing the palate without covering the soft, milky curd. A good match for skuta in a summer starter.
The grapes behind these winesMalvazija IstarskaMuskat ZutiMuskat MomjanskiMerlotTeranRefosco
From the source
Where to buy and taste it
Sirana Orbanić
Family dairy near Pazin, with cattle and milk production since 1994 and a dairy registered in 2013 that uses only its own milk. Cheeses from 3 days to 6 months old, skuta, yogurt and fresh cheese; phone before visiting.
Festigia Taste & Shop (Agrolaguna)
Agrolaguna's tasting room and shop in Poreč, stocking the Špin cheeses made near Tar alongside the group's Festigia and Vina Laguna wines and Ol Istria olive oils. Private events with tastings are arranged by email or phone.
Vesna Gourmet Shop
Vesna Loborika's gourmet shop in the Monvidal district of Pula, set up so customers can shop in the afternoon. It sells the dairy's cheeses with other chosen local Istrian products and has customer parking.
Vesna at Pula market
Vesna Loborika's shop at the Pula market, at Narodni trg 9 on the dairy's shops page.
Sirana Zlata at Pula market
Sirana Zlata's stall at Pula's main market. The Kršan tourist board lists hours of 08:00 to 14:00, closed Sunday.
Cheese experiences nearby
Cheese tasting at Kumparička
Guided farm tour and tasting of the farm's goat cheeses, fresh to aged, each with a note from the cheesemaker, with a glass of local wine, homemade bread and sides from the garden.
Farm tour at Kumparička
Guided walk with a farmer through the farm, gardens, stables and dairy, meeting the milking herd, ending with a tasting snack in the farm shop. Suitable for all ages.
Pasture walk with the goats at Kumparička
Walk 200 goats out to graze with an experienced shepherd, hear how rotational grazing shapes the land, the milk and the cheese, then taste cheeses on the farm terrace.
Cooking class at Kumparička
Hands-on class with the farm kitchen team using garden and farm ingredients, with a garden walk and welcome wine, ending in a shared meal at one table. Recipes to take home. The page says booking is opening soon and dates are not set.
Cheese stalls at Pula market
Pula's central market at Narodni trg, where Vesna Loborika has a shop and Sirana Zlata a stall selling their cheeses.
Istrian skuta: questions
What is skuta used for?
Špin says its sheep's and cow's skuta can be used in dishes from starters to main courses and desserts.
Who makes skuta in Istria?
Špin (Agrolaguna), Sirana Zlata in Čepić polje and Sirana Orbanić near Pazin each list it among their dairy products.
Same cheeseboard
More cheeses from Istria
Plan the trip
Visit Istrian skuta country
Tastings and tours where it is made, and somewhere to stay.
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Sources: agrolaguna.hr, www.eistra.info. The drawing is made from the cheese's recorded shape, rind and paste, not a photograph.