Yorkshire Pecorino

Mario Olianas, an Italian man (chef by trade) who settled in Yorkshire from Sardinia, produces a range of Italian-inspired ewe’s milk cheeses. He recently moved his business from his home in North Leeds to be a brand new cheesemaking facility in Otley. Meaning it is still the closest cheesemaker to our shop. 

We have a very close relationship with Mario, and he sells one of his cheeses Holy Ewe exclusively with us! We also take his fresh Pecorino, Ricotta, Pecorino Fiore and his halloumi-style.

Mario started producing cheese as a result of sibling rivalry with his brother who still lives in Italy, to see who could make the best cheese.  Made to a traditional family recipe using locally sourced ewe's milk which is delivered daily from a farm just outside Harrogate. 

This is a Pecorino Fresco which is a younger version of the grating Pecorino you may have seen in supermarkets. This is aged for only 30 days so is fresh, young and semi-soft with lemony yoghurt notes.

The ewe's milk gives this cheese a lovely well-rounded richness.  Due to the ewe's milk it is also has a much whiter paste with a greyer coloured rind. 

Mario has won many awards for this cheese, including Best Soft Cheese in the 2016 Great British Cheese Awards, and more recently a Gold Medal at the Great Yorkshire Show.

Recipe Ideas:

Check out Ottolenghi's recipe for Figs with Young Pecorino and Honey. 

Drink Recommendation:

Cracker Recommendation:

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