Modeled on the Swiss and French tradition of cheese production, livanjski sir was first produced in 1886, and it was initially made only with sheep’s milk. Later on, the production changed, and while many industrially produced types nowadays employ only cow’s milk, there are a few local, family-owned businesses which use a combination of sheep’s and cow’s milk.
This hard cheese usually ripens from sixty up to eighty days, and preferably more. Depending on the aging, the final product ranges from pale to dark yellow, while its texture remains hard, yet elastic, with evenly distributed, medium-sized eyes. Because of its strong flavors and pleasant, nutty aromas, the cheese is best enjoyed as an appetizer, usually paired with smoked meat and robust Herzegovinian wine.