The cheeses made in and around Istria: the protected names first, then the local cheeses people actually eat, with their milk, rind, ageing and taste.
The cheeses of Istria
Sheep milkHardAlso Istarski ovčji sir
A hard, full-fat sheep's-milk cheese made by individual Istrian dairies; it has no protected name. Agrolaguna's Špin dairy, in the Stancija Špin complex near Tar, makes only hard cheeses and lists its sheep's cheese among them. Vesna Loborika ripens its version for 3 months and calls it a traditional Istrian product. Sirana Zlata in Čepić polje makes it from Istrian sheep's milk to a traditional recipe. Vesna also sells Shtuffo, a sheep's cheese with black truffle. Vesna says that in Istria it is eaten with pršut and is an essential starter at weddings, holidays and other celebrations.
Taste: Slightly more intense than the same dairy's cow's cheese. Špin says the usual piquancy of sheep's milk is tamed so the cheese stays mild and milky, with an initial sharpness in the mouth, sheep's milk at the centre and fresh grass and herbs toward the rind, and sage and thyme for practised tasters. The texture is crumblier than the cow's cheese and stays grainy in the mouth instead of turning creamy.
Ageing: 3 months (Vesna Loborika's version)
Made in: Istria, Croatia (made by individual dairies; no defined area)
Cow and sheep milkFreshAlso 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.
Ageing: Fresh, not aged
Made in: Istria, Croatia (made by individual dairies; no defined area)
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Cheeses in Istria, FAQ
Is Istrian sheep's cheese a protected cheese?
No. It is a traditional cheese made by individual Istrian dairies and has no protected designation.
How long is Istrian sheep's cheese aged?
Vesna Loborika gives 3 months on its product page. The Špin and Sirana Zlata pages do not state an ageing time.
What is Istrian sheep's cheese served with?
Vesna says it goes with pršut and Teran. Sirana Zlata says its cheeses are traditionally eaten with red wine. Špin suggests peperoncino marmalade or honey and a rustic red, naming Vina Laguna Terra Rossa.
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.