La Serena is a sharp sheep’s milk cheese made in southwestern Spain. The process that goes into making a wheel of this cheese is interesting, and is dependant on nature to some degree. Over the course of the sixty days that these wheels of cheese need to ripen for, they are wrapped in a belt to help them keep their shape. As the cold and rainy weather comes into Spain in both the winter and the spring, the cheese becomes deformed and the rinds crack open. These cracks are what help the paste develop its ultra soft consistency.
The taste of Torta La Serena is slightly salty and can be described as bitter at times. If you would like to serve this cheese as part of a part platter, let the wheel come to room temperature, you’ll feel the melted texture of the cheese by poking the rind gently. Once it’s softened, slice the top of the rind off and serve it with crusty bread and fruits to be spread with or even dipped directly into the cheese.
Upon receipt of your order the ice pack may no longer be frozen. This is expected and should not be the cause of alarm. The cheese should be cool to room temperature. Once rewrapped and stored properly the cheese will last up to 3 weeks.
For optimal storage allowing the cheese to breathe and retain moisture wrap the cheese in wax paper, plastic wrap or tin foil upon arrival.
A - Bloomy rind, tomes, hard or dry rind cheeses - wrap only the cut surface in plastic wrap, leaving the rind exposed so the cheese can breathe.
B - Blue cheeses should be wrapped securely in tin foil.
C - Washed rind cheeses should be wrapped in wax paper.
D - Small cheeses such as goat’s milk crottin should be wrapped in wax paper.
E - Soft cheeses store well in waxed paper or sealed containers.
Store your cheese in a cool, damp place such as a wine cellar, larder, wine cabinet, or in the vegetable drawer of your refrigerator (the warmest part of the refrigerator).
As a general rule, aged hard cheeses last longer than softer, less aged varieties.
For the fullest flavor it is recommended to bring cheese to room temperature before serving.
* See cheese label for proper storage recommendations
To ensure product quality all cheese will ship overnight May 1 through October 1 due to warm summer temperatures.
October through May all cheese will ship 2nd Day, with an Overnight option available at an additional charge.
