Brocciu () is a
Corsica
Corsica ( , , ; ; ) is an island in the Mediterranean Sea and one of the Regions of France, 18 regions of France. It is the List of islands in the Mediterranean#By area, fourth-largest island in the Mediterranean and lies southeast of the Metro ...
n cheese produced from a combination of milk and
whey,
giving it some of the characteristics of
whey cheese. It is produced from
ewe's milk.
It is notable as a substitute for
lactose
Lactose is a disaccharide composed of galactose and glucose and has the molecular formula C12H22O11. Lactose makes up around 2–8% of milk (by mass). The name comes from (Genitive case, gen. ), the Latin word for milk, plus the suffix ''-o ...
-rich Italian
Ricotta, as brocciu contains less lactose.
Produced on the island of
Corsica
Corsica ( , , ; ; ) is an island in the Mediterranean Sea and one of the Regions of France, 18 regions of France. It is the List of islands in the Mediterranean#By area, fourth-largest island in the Mediterranean and lies southeast of the Metro ...
, brocciu is considered the island's most representative food. Like ricotta, it is a young white cheese and is paired frequently with Corsican white
wine
Wine is an alcoholic drink made from Fermentation in winemaking, fermented fruit. Yeast in winemaking, Yeast consumes the sugar in the fruit and converts it to ethanol and carbon dioxide, releasing heat in the process. Wine is most often made f ...
s. It has been described as "the most famous cheese" in Corsica.
The word brocciu is related to the French word ''
brousse'' and means fresh cheese made with goat or ewe's milk.
Brocciu is made from
whey and milk. First, the whey is heated to a low temperature of just a few degrees below and then ewe's milk is added and further heated to just a bit below . After heating, the cheese is drained in rush baskets.
The cheese is ready for consumption immediately, although it may be
ripened for a few weeks ( or ''brocciu vechju''); the ideal affinage time for brocciu is 48 hours to one month.
In
Corsican cuisine, it is used in the preparation of innumerable dishes, from first courses to desserts.
See also
*
List of cheeses
This is a list of cheeses by place of origin. Cheese is a milk-based food that is produced in wide-ranging flavors, textures, and forms. Hundreds of types of cheese from various countries are produced. Their styles, textures and flavors dep ...
Notes
References
*
Whey cheeses
Sheep's-milk cheeses
French cheeses
Corsican cuisine
French products with protected designation of origin
Cheeses with designation of origin protected in the European Union
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