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.
Dinarski sir is a Croatian hard cheese produced in the Dinaric mountain region, hence the name. It is made from a combination of cow’s and goat’s milk. The first cheese was made in 2009, when there was too much leftover goat’s milk that was intended for the production of Kozlar cheese, so Šime Gligora combined it with cow’s milk, and Dinarski sir was born.
Its texture is crumbly, compact, firm, and dense, while the flavors are rich, nutty, and grassy. For a unique experience, pair it with marinated anchovies and a glass of Zlatan Plavac.
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VARIATIONS OF Dinarski sir
Paška skuta is a traditional Croatian 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.
Istarska skuta is a Croatian cheese hailing from Istria. This white curd cheese made from full-fat cow's milk or sheep's milk whey is soft, supple, and creamy in texture. The aromas are creamy and the flavors are mild. The sheep's milk version is stronger than cow's milk version, with a recognizable aromatic scent.
The sheep's milk version is also somewhat grainier than cow's milk skuta. The cheese can be spread on bread and it's also often used as an accompaniment or an ingredient in various savory and sweet dishes, from appetizers to desserts. When heat treated, istarska skuta keeps its creamy texture.
Dinarski sir iz maslinove komine is a Croatian hard cheese originating from the Dalmatian hinterlands around Dinara mountain. It is made from a combination of cow’s and goat’s milk. The cheese is aged for at least 4 months in pressed olive skins.
Its texture is compact, dense, firm, flaky, and crystalline, while the flavors are grassy, earthy, and milky.
Težački sir iz maslinove komine is a Croatian hard cheese originating from the Dalmatian hinterland. It is made from pasteurized cow’s milk. The cheese is very aromatic due to the fact that it ages for at least 4 months in pressed olive skins.
It develops an open and supple texture, while the flavors are quite robust. It is recommended to pair this artisan cheese with a glass of Chardonnay (white) or Plavac Mali (red).
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.
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Liburnski sir is a Croatian cheese hailing from the region of old Liburnia. It's produced by Sirana Gligora, located on the island of Pag. The cheese is made from a mix of pasteurized cow's, sheep's, and goat's milk. It's left to age from 3 to 6 months before consumption.
Underneath its natural rind, the texture is hard, creamy, and open with irregular eyes scattered throughout the body. The aromas are clean, mild, goaty, and buttery, while the flavors are earthy, creamy, tart, and nutty with hints of butterscotch.
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