Best Croatian Littoral Cheese Types
Paški sir is a hard Croatian cheese originating from the island of Pag. The cheese is made from milk of the Pag sheep. The harsh bura wind dusts the island with sea salt, flavoring various herbs (such as immortelle, sage, and sea fennel) on which the sheep graze, and as a result their milk has a unique flavor.
This award-winning cheese is characterized by a dry, flaky, grainy, and crumbly texture, and a tangy, salty flavor. The cheese is typically rubbed with ash and olive oil, and it's then left to mature for at least four months. As it matures, the tangy and savory flavors become even stronger.
THE BEST Paški sir Cheeses
Škripavac is a Croatian cheese made from raw cows' milk, characterized by its fresh aroma and a soft, gummy-like texture. The flavors are mild, milky, and slightly sweet. The cheese is named after the Croatian word for squeaky, because škripavac makes a distinctive sound when bitten into it. Škripavac is almost always made from the milk of Buša breed of cows - they are well adapted to the Lika region, where the cheese is produced.
It's recommended to eat it on its own, with a few slices of homemade bread, although the cheese can also be grilled for a true gourmet experience.
Pair with
Paška skuta is a traditional ricotta-type cheese produced on the island of Pag. The skuta is made from leftover whey after the production of the famous and award-winning Paški sir. The curd is separated and drained, usually overnight, and the result is a soft and fresh cheese with a unique mild and gentle flavor coming from the milk of the indigenous Pag sheep (Paška ovca).
This fresh skuta is low in fat and it's full of healthy Omega-3, protein, calcium, and zinc. The cheese is very versatile and it's recommended to use it in cheese cakes or flavor it with orange liqueur and serve it with fresh fruit. Paška skuta is especially good for liver regeneration, and on the island of Pag, while the strong bura wind blew over the landscape, people would often begin their day with a cup of black coffee with pieces of skuta placed inside of it.
Basa is a unique Croatian cheese that is typically produced from the buša cow breed in the region of Lika, although it can contain sheep's milk as well. This soft cheese has a delicately creamy texture and can also be used as a spread or as an accompaniment to charcuterie products or baked potatoes.
Basa is most commonly made by combining varenika (boiled and chilled milk), sour milk, and salt. When the mixture becomes stiff, the whey is drained, and basa is wrapped in a cloth to drain completely. All that is left is to enjoy the delicious flavors and textures of this exceptional Croatian product.
Grobnički sir is a Croatian cheese produced in the Grobnik valley, near the city of Rijeka. It is made from sheep's milk and has a cylindrical shape. The cheese is chalky-white in color and hard and granulated in texture, filled with numerous circular or elliptical eyes throughout its body.
The flavor is very salty, yet pleasant. Grobnik cheese matures in brine for up to one year, so it doesn't have a rind. It is recommended to consume it as an appetizer with local ham.
Pair with
Krčki sir is a Croatian cheese originating from the island of Krk. This hard, full-fat cheese is made from raw sheep's milk. It has a smooth yellowish rind with a subtle herbal aroma. The texture is dense and smooth, while the flavors are rich and full, a result of the sheep's diet of aromatic herbs that grow on the island.
The cheese is traditionally produced by small family farms (OPG) all across the island. Depending on the level of maturity of Krčki sir, it can be sliced and consumed as a table cheese or grated over pasta dishes.
Best Croatian Littoral Cheese Producers
Sirana Gligora, located in Croatia, specializes in producing artisan cheeses primarily from sheep's milk. The company was founded by Ivan Gligora in 1995 on the island of Pag. They are notably recognized for their flagship cheese, Paški sir, a hard sheep's milk cheese awarded internationally for its quality.
Sirana Gligora uses traditional cheese-making techniques integrated with modern technology.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022

International Cheese Awards - Gold
2022

Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2021
BEST Sirana Gligora Cheeses
AWARDS

Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2019

Global Cheese Awards - Best
2023
BEST Paška Sirana Cheeses
Best Croatian Littoral Cheeses
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022
Paški Sir, made by Paška Sirana, is a renowned sheep's milk cheese originating from the island of Pag in Croatia. Known for its distinct flavor, Paški Sir is crafted using milk from local sheep that graze on the aromatic Mediterranean herbs and salty grasses native to Pag's rocky landscape.
This unique diet imparts a rich and savory taste to the cheese, characterized by its slightly crumbly texture and a taste that combines sweet, salty, and piquant notes. Aged for several months, Paški Sir develops a hard, golden-yellow rind and a creamy, dense interior, making it a favorite in Croatian cuisine and a sought-after delicacy internationally.
AWARDS

Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2019

Global Cheese Awards - Best
2023
AWARDS

Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2021

Global Cheese Awards - Best
2021
Liburjan is a product made by Sirana Gligora, a renowned dairy located on the island of Pag in Croatia. This cheese is notable for its high-quality ingredients and traditional production methods that have earned the dairy numerous awards and recognition both domestically and internationally.
Sirana Gligora is celebrated for producing artisanal cheeses that reflect the rich cultural and culinary heritage of the region.
AWARDS

Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2021

Global Cheese Awards - Best
2021
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024
Naturally smoked cow milk cheese made by Sirana Gligora is crafted using high-quality cow’s milk. This cheese undergoes a traditional smoking process, imparting a distinctive, rich, and smoky flavor that enhances its creamy texture. Sirana Gligora, a renowned Croatian cheese producer, ensures that the cheese is aged to perfection to develop its unique taste profile.
The cheese pairs well with various wines and is a favorite for both culinary uses and as part of a cheese platter.
AWARDS

International Cheese Awards - Gold
2022
Kolan ekstra stari is a specific cheese product crafted by Sirana Gligora, a renowned dairy in Croatia. This cheese is distinguished by its aged quality, offering a rich and nuanced flavor profile that results from extended maturation processes typical of the dairy's traditional techniques.
Sirana Gligora is reputed for its commitment to producing high-quality cheeses made from local milk, ensuring freshness and authenticity in every batch.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023
Kozlar dimljeni is a smoked cheese product made by Sirana Gligora, a renowned cheese producer based in Pag, Croatia. The cheese is crafted from high-quality goat milk and undergoes a meticulous smoking process that imparts a unique, rich flavor profile.
Known for its firm texture and aromatic smokiness, it pairs excellently with various wines and serves as a gourmet addition to cheese platters.
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2024

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2022
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
AWARDS

Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2021
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