Rooted since ancient times in Asturias, el Afuega'l Pitu cheese It is striking for its compact and firm texture that increases when ripe. Has up to four varieties that differ in shape, color and even name, but all of them offer a very peculiar taste, as well as its name. It is well known among the people of the Principality, but rather stranger in the rest of Spain, despite its unique features. Of course, it enjoys its own DOP and in this article we want to introduce you to this product in all its aspects. Go for it!
His full story
Farms from very ancient times in the north of the peninsula served as the cradle for the birth of this cheese with an enormous tradition. In the typical Asturian farmhouses, the inhabitants of them were supplied with their crops from the field and the products that they made themselves. One of them came from cattle, which allowed to extract the cow's milk to obtain excellent foods such as Afuega'l Pitu cheese. Little by little, his popularity grew as he surpassed that limit of self-consumption. In regional markets it began to be sold together with other Asturian cheeses. Later, with the advancement of improved physical communications, businesses benefited to bring this product to new consumers.
That is how his story started, but it was from the 80 years when several cheese factories opened their doors to dedicate themselves exclusively to the production of Afuega'l Pitu cheese. The requirements of hygienic and sanitary standards also required it until the year 2003 the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). Its particularity and its quality as a dairy derivative was fundamental for this important evolutionary step. As for its name, it means «choke throat»(In the Asturian translation).
Producers
La Protected Designation of Origin Afuega'l Pitu Cheese leaves its stamp on the products that make up to eight cheese factories spread over Asturias:
- Tierra de Tineo or Dairy Industries of the Principality
- Agrovaldes
- ca sanchu
- The Viso
- The Archer
- The Borbolla
- La Peñona
- Fear
This is Afuega'l Pitu cheese
We speak of a fatty cheese which can be either fresh, or well matured. Its raw material is always whole milk from cow, whose pure Asturian breed is also known as Friesian. Pasta through the valleys and their crossings in different rural areas of the Principality of Asturias, specifically around the Nalón and Narcea rivers. Thus, next to the Sierra del Aramo, the entire natural area is protected by the DOP to obtain this indigenous product. Up to thirteen municipalities are covered by it:
Tineo, Salas, Belmonte, Candamo, Cudillero, Grado, Morcín, Riosa, Santo Adriano, Pravia, Las Regueras, Soto del Barco and Muros del Nalón. The weather conditions of the entire Asturian region allow cattle to be offered a perfect space for pasture with a key diet to give milk of tremendous qualities. Those that later are also transferred to their own Afuega'l Pitu cheese at their elaboration. What is it like and what features does it have? Well, their pasta is mild, a result of lactic coagulation. Its color depends on the variety and can even be redder if it has more peppers. It has two very different shapes that stand out in their four varieties:
- Tronconic because truncated cone-shaped molds are used. Here we differentiate between the white atruncau and roxu. One is white, the other orange.
- Trapu or zucchini due to the use of a gauze as a molder of the product. This is tied at the top and the fine folds that originate in this way are drawn on the surface of the cheese. It can also be white or orange.
Dimensions and qualities
As you can see in the image, this Afuega'l Pitu cheese It is not at all a common dairy derivative like many others with its typical circular shape. Its height is between five and twelve centimeters, while its diameter at the base varies from eight to fourteen. Being a small product, it weighs between 200 and 600 grams. Made of natural bark, its consistency is also variable depending on the degree of maturation that you have had. On the other hand, it is worth noting its high fat content (45% minimum) but also protein (35% minimum).
When it comes to having it in front of you to taste it, its fresh acid and lactic aroma, with a memory of butter. It evolves as it matures until its flavor has notes of mushrooms or to a slight bitterness that integrates with other flavors. In the case of orange, the touch of hot spicy gives greater intensity to the entire sensory experience in the mouth.
Enjoy this Afuega'l Pitu cheese in delicious recipes ranging from its use as a filling to delicious cakes! Because it is unique, it is striking, it is peculiar, it is a different cheese.
