Mascarpone is a cheese from the Italian region of Lombardy, characterized by its very high fat content, ranging from 60% to 75%. Its texture can be smooth, creamy, or buttery, depending on the production process, while the flavors are lemony, sweet, full, and buttery.
It is an essential ingredient in the preparation of desserts such as cheesecake, zabaglione, and tiramisu. Mascarpone is often mixed with coffee or cocoa, although it can also be used in savory dishes, accompanied by mustard, fresh herbs, or anchovies.
It is believed that mascarpone originated during the late 16th and the early 17th century, its name thought to be a deviation of the Spanish phrase mas que buene, meaning better than good. Others claim that its name stems from the word mascarpia, meaning Ricotta in the local Italian dialect.