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Asiago is a hard, aromatic Italian cheese originally made only in the Dolomite Mountains region of northern Italy. It can be used for grating and as a table cheese. This cheese is granular, like Parmesan, but a bit more pungent in flavor. An American-made asiago is also available.
Traditional asiago
This cheese is available in flavors ranging from mild to aged, and the types are described by their flavor. Dolce describes a mildly spicy asiago, several months old; medio describes a stronger product, aged longer; and piccante asiago is a hard, aged cheese with a piquant flavor, suitable for grating. Piccante asiago is also enjoyed as a flavorful table cheese, eaten in paper-thin slices.
Asiago d’Allevo
This is the mature, hard cheese. It is produced from skimmed raw cows’ milk and sold in flat cheese wheels weighing 18 to 31 pounds (8 to 14 kg). It is marketed as fresh (fresco) asiago, aged two to three months, good for sandwiches and salads, and medium-ripe (mezzano), aged four to five months. Slow-ripened (vecchio) asiago, aged nine months or longer, is a table cheese, also suitable for cooking.
Asiago is widely available in large health food, grocery, and specialty stores, both in wedges and grated.
Asiago is enjoyed as a complement to pasta, rice, pizza, or soup. It can also be served with hearty bread, salami, or such fruits as fresh figs or pears, and it goes well with a variety of beverages such as red wine, cranberry juice, and sparkling grape juice.
Asiago cheese, 1 oz. (28g)
Calories: 110
Protein: 7.5g
Carbohydrate: 0.67g
Total Fat: 8.7g
Fiber: 0.0g
*Excellent source of: Calcium (226mg)
*Good source of: Phosphorus (144.6mg)
*Foods that are an “excellent source” of a particular nutrient provide 20% or more of the Recommended Daily Value. Foods that are a “good source” of a particular nutrient provide between 10 and 20% of the Recommended Daily Value.
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The information presented in Foodnotes is for informational purposes only and was created by a team of U.S. registered dietitians and food experts. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements, making dietary changes, or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires March 2005.