Planika cheese emerges from the stunning Triglav National Park, taking its name from the Slovene term for Edelweiss, a flower common in the park and regarded as a symbol of the Alpine area. Nestled in the heart of the Julian Alps of Slovenia, the Kobarid Dairy that produces Planika is surrounded by unspoilt natural landscapes, which significantly influence the cheese’s distinct flavour profile. Combine this dramatic geography with specific fermentation, ripening, and aging techniques, and you have a world-class cheese characterized by a complex blend of flavors, enhanced by the raw, untouched nature from which it springs.
Planika Cheese: A Unique Flavor Profile Rooted in the Slovenian Topography
This semi-hard cheese is made from unpasteurised cow’s milk, encapsulating the purity of the environment in its highly aromatic, slightly spicy taste. Planika cheese achieves its particular character through an aging period of at least 60 days, during which time it develops a dry and slightly cracked ivory-to-yellow rind, and a creamy and elastic pale yellow interior. The cheese exhibits:
- A distinctive flavor palette ranging from sweet to slightly spicy
- A smooth and buttery texture
- A rich and aromatic scent, reminiscent of raw milk and the natural surroundings
Remarkably, Planika is a cheese intimately linked to the terroir of its origin—the people, the culture, the climate, and especially the enriched grasslands that feed the dairy cows. These factors instill nuances in the cheese that cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world. This uniqueness has earned Planika Cheese a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) from the European Union, certifying its top-quality status and preserving its traditional production methods for future generations of cheese enthusiasts to savor and appreciate.
Exploring the Ingredients, Properties, and Varieties of Planika Cheese
Planika Cheese is a delightful and flavorful cheese renowned for its exceptional quality and distinctive characteristics. Crafted with care and expertise, this cheese is a testament to the art of cheese-making. Let’s delve into the ingredients, properties, and varieties that make Planika Cheese a true gastronomic delight.
Ingredients:
- Cow’s Milk: Planika Cheese is made from the rich and nutritious milk of cows, known for imparting a creamy and luscious texture to the cheese.
- Cultures: The cheese is inoculated with specific cultures that contribute to its unique flavor profile and help in the fermentation process.
- Rennet: Rennet, a natural enzyme, is used to coagulate the milk and form curds, an essential step in the cheese-making process.
- Salt: A small amount of salt is added to enhance the flavor, promote microbial control, and aid in the preservation of the cheese.
Properties:
Planika Cheese possesses an array of properties that make it a true culinary delight. It exhibits a smooth, velvety texture that gently coats the palate, melting effortlessly with each bite. The flavor is rich and well-rounded, with a perfect balance of sweetness and subtle undertones of nuttiness. The cheese’s aroma is enticingly aromatic, awakening the senses and drawing you closer to its delectable taste.
Varieties:
Planika Cheese offers a range of varieties, each with its own unique characteristics and flavor profile. Here are a few notable variations:
- Planika Classic: This is the original version of Planika Cheese, characterized by its creamy texture, mild taste, and delicate aroma.
- Planika Reserve: Aged to perfection, Planika Reserve boasts a more pronounced flavor, with hints of caramel and a slightly crumbly texture.
- Planika Herb Infused: This variation is infused with a blend of aromatic herbs, which adds an extra layer of complexity and fragrance to the cheese.
- Planika Smoked: Planika cheese is carefully smoked using wood chips, resulting in a cheese with a smoky aroma and a slightly robust flavor.
With its exquisite taste and versatility, Planika Cheese is a must-try for cheese connoisseurs and food enthusiasts alike. Whether enjoyed on its own, as part of a cheese platter, or incorporated into a variety of dishes, Planika Cheese never fails to impress with its remarkable flavor and quality.
Planika Cheese: A Taste of the Mountains
Known for its breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage, the region of Planika is truly a cheese lover’s paradise. Nestled in the heart of the Julian Alps, this picturesque area stretches across the border of Slovenia and Italy, boasting an ideal environment for cheese production. Being home to a variety of lush pastures and pristine mountain streams, the Planika region provides the perfect setting for dairy farming and cheese-making.
Planika cheese, a true gem of this region, is a renowned artisanal cheese known for its exceptional quality and unique flavor. Made from 100% raw cow’s milk, this cheese embodies the essence of the alpine pastures, capturing the natural richness and diversity of the local flora. The cheesemakers in Planika still utilize traditional production methods, ensuring that each wheel of cheese is crafted with precision and attention to detail.
Savory Baked Planika Cheese with Honey and Walnuts
Planika Cheese, with its firm yet creamy texture, and slightly tart yet subtly sweet flavor, lends itself remarkably well to baking applications. A native of Slovenia, this exquisite cheese is revered for its distinct flavor profile that arises from the cows feeding on vegetation enriched by the coastal sea air. In this recipe, we honor the cheese’s unique geography and profile by combining it with honey and walnuts, ingredients that complement its flavor to create a truly delectable dish.
- Ingredients:
- 200g Planika cheese
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 50g walnuts
- Rosemary branches (optional)
A simple preparation awaits: Preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F). Meanwhile, place the Planika cheese in a baking dish, drizzle it generously with honey and scatter the walnuts over it, pressing slightly to embed them into the cheese. You may opt to add a few rosemary sprigs for an added aroma. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the cheese has softened, particularly around its edges but remains firm in the center.
Serve this decadent dish as an appetizer or a dessert – with crusty bread and a glass of Slovenian white wine, preferably from the coastal region. The harmony of the sweet honey, crunchy walnuts and the robust, creamy Planika cheese melds together beautifully, amplifying each ingredient’s unique character.
Stuffed Portabella Mushrooms with Planika Cheese
Portabella mushrooms, with their meaty texture, also pair exceptionally well with the distinct flavors of Planika cheese. Enrobed in these large round mushrooms, the cheese transforms into a delectably creamy filling that contrasts with the mushrooms’ earthiness. This understated yet tasty recipe makes use of accessible ingredients while still managing to be a gourmet delight.
- Ingredients:
- 4 large Portabella mushrooms
- 200g Planika Cheese
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 white onion
- Olive oil
Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (356°F). Clean the mushrooms and remove their stems. Drizzle a little olive oil on each and place them gill-side up on a baking tray. Finely chop the garlic and onion, and gently sauté them in olive oil until they become translucent. Crumble the Planika cheese and mix it in with the onion and garlic mix. Divide this mixture evenly among the mushrooms, stuffing each with generous amounts and bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the mushrooms are cooked through.
This delicious dish is versatile and can be served as a main course alongside a green salad or as a starter. The savory, earthy mushroom pairs delightfully with the Planika cheese, creating a flavor combination that is both simple and memorable, an epitomisation of how Planika cheese’s unique coastal flavor can integrate and elevate any dish.
Parring Planika Cheese with Wines and Dishes
Planika is a unique and highly exquisite cheese originating from the quaint Slovenian town of Planika near the Italian border. Named after a local flower, Planika cheese is a crowning jewel of Slovenian artisan cheese-making industry, fabled for its sharp, salty, and slightly pungent flavour reminiscent of the fresh mountain herbs and flowers.
This semi-soft, traditionally unpasteurized cow’s milk cheese, comes wrapped in a breathable foil, aged for about 6 months—a process that allows it to develop a firm, edible, light yellow rind, and a creamy, slightly pungent, and earthy interior. Its full-bodied flavour profile makes it a desirable companion for various culinary delights, and its versatility allows it to pair exceptionally well with numerous types of wines and dishes.
Due to the rich and earthy undertone of Planika cheese, it pairs remarkably well with wines that hold robustness, depth, and a palate of vibrant flavors. Here are some of the top wine picks:
- Sauvignon Blanc: This white wine from the Bordeaux region of France often holds grassy notes that superbly balance the herby taste of Planika cheese.
- Merlot: This red wine with its plush, smooth texture and flavors of plummy goodness, pairs wonderfully with the sharper aspects of Planika cheese.
- Chianti Classico: This bold, full-bodied Italian red wine matches the robust. slightly pungent aftertaste of Planika, creating a harmonious palate experience.
Planika’s unique balance of saltiness and sharpness also makes it an excellent candidate for pairing with a variety of dishes. Savour it as a topping in gourmet sandwiches or slice it thinly over a rocket and pear salad to bring out the freshness and acidity. It is also a great partner for antipasti platters, featuring cured meats and olives, or even paired simply with artisan breads or stone-baked pizzas. Furthermore, its melting properties make it suitable for gratins or in pasta dishes like gnocchi with sage butter.
Similar Cheeses for Planika Cheese
Planika cheese is a unique and delicious Slovenian cheese that is distinct in its flavor, texture, and production process. If you are a fan of Planika cheese and want to explore other similar options, there are a few cheeses from around the world that you should consider trying. These cheeses share similar characteristics and can offer you a similar taste experience to that of Planika cheese.
Pag Cheese: Hailing from the island of Pag in Croatia, Pag cheese is a sheep’s milk cheese that bears similarities to Planika cheese in terms of its texture and flavor. Made from the milk of the indigenous Pag sheep breed, this cheese is aged for at least a year, resulting in a firm and crumbly texture. Pag cheese has a slightly salty flavor with hints of herbs and grass, making it a delicious option for cheese lovers who enjoy the unique taste of Planika cheese.
Pecorino Romano: An Italian cheese made from sheep’s milk, Pecorino Romano is another great option for those seeking cheeses similar to Planika cheese. This cheese has a firm and grainy texture, similar to Planika, and a rich and tangy flavor with a hint of saltiness. Pecorino Romano is often used as a grating cheese and is a popular ingredient in Italian dishes such as pasta and soups.
Mitica Drunken Goat: This Spanish cheese is made from the milk of Murciano-Granadina goats and is soaked in red wine during its aging process, giving it a unique flavor profile. The Drunken Goat cheese is semi-soft with a creamy and slightly crumbly texture. It has a mild and slightly sweet taste with a fruity undertone from the wine. While it may differ in texture from Planika cheese, the Drunken Goat can be a delightful alternative for cheese lovers who enjoy exploring different flavor combinations.
- Other similar cheeses to Planika Cheese:
- Pag Cheese
- Pecorino Romano
- Mitica Drunken Goat
Planika cheese: Questions and answers
What foods pair well with Planika cheese?
Planika cheese pairs excellently with crusty bread, walnuts, and dried figs. Serve it with a robust red wine or a crisp Sauvignon Blanc to complement its flavors. It also goes well with charcuterie like prosciutto or salami for a balanced platter.
What are good substitutes for Planika cheese?
If unavailable, try a semi-hard, raw cow’s milk cheese like Gruyère or Comté. These offer a similar creamy texture and complex, nutty notes. Avoid mild cheeses, as they won’t match Planika cheese’s distinctive spicy and aromatic profile.
Is it safe to eat the rind of Planika cheese?
Yes, the natural rind of Planika cheese is edible and adds to its flavor. It is dry and slightly cracked but safe to consume. If you prefer, you can trim it off, though it is part of the traditional eating experience.
What is the shelf life of Planika cheese?
Planika cheese typically lasts 2 to 3 weeks when stored properly in the refrigerator. Check for any off smells, discoloration, or mold beyond the natural rind. Consume it within a few days after opening for the best flavor and texture.
Where can I buy authentic Planika cheese?
Look for Planika cheese at specialty cheese shops, gourmet food stores, or online retailers that import Slovenian products. Ensure it has the PGI label to guarantee authenticity. Some European delis or farmers’ markets may also carry it seasonally.
What is the proper way to cut Planika cheese?
Use a sharp cheese knife to slice Planika cheese into thin wedges or cubes. Cut from the center outward to preserve its shape and texture. For even portions, slice across the wheel rather than breaking it apart with your hands.
How is Planika cheese best eaten?
Enjoy Planika cheese at room temperature to appreciate its aromatic, slightly spicy taste. Serve it on a cheese board with crusty bread, dried fruits, and nuts. It also pairs wonderfully with honey or fruit preserves for a sweet and savory combination.
Does Planika cheese need to be refrigerated?
Yes, always refrigerate Planika cheese to maintain its quality and safety. Store it at a temperature between 4°C and 8°C to prevent spoilage. Take it out 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to develop at room temperature.
What is the best way to store Planika cheese?
Wrap Planika cheese in wax paper or parchment, then place it in a loosely sealed container in the refrigerator. Keep it in the vegetable drawer where the temperature is consistent, around 4°C to 8°C. Avoid plastic wrap as it can trap moisture and cause mold.
How should I use Planika cheese in cooking?
Planika cheese melts beautifully, making it ideal for baked dishes or gratins. Grate it over pasta or risotto to add a rich, slightly spicy flavor. You can also cube it for salads or use it in sandwiches for a creamy texture.