Metsovone smoked cheese approx. 1.5 kg

Metsovone Kapnisto is a characterful semi-hard cheese from the mountain village of Metsovo in north-western Greece, where a long cheesemaking tradition is still carried on with care. This remarkable cheese carries a protected designation of origin (PDO), which means it may only be produced in this region and by fixed traditional methods. Metsovone is made mainly from cow’s milk, sometimes with a small amount of sheep’s or goat’s milk, which contributes to its rich and nuanced taste.

What makes Metsovone Kapnisto unique is the traditional smoking it undergoes. After shaping and ripening, the cheese is slowly smoked over aromatic wood, which develops its characteristic smoky scent and deep, warm taste. That process gives the cheese not only a distinctive character but also a fine golden-brown rind and a firmer structure. The inside stays compact and lightly elastic, with a creamy texture that melts pleasantly when heated.

The taste of Metsovone Kapnisto is full and complex, with a clear but refined smokiness that never overpowers. The cheese has a lightly salty base, combined with mild dairy notes and a subtle nutty undertone. The longer it matures, the more intense the taste becomes and the more depth it gains, which makes it especially popular with connoisseurs and lovers of artisanal cheeses.

In the kitchen Metsovone Kapnisto is highly versatile. Its excellent melting properties make it ideal for grilling or frying, giving a lightly crisp layer on the outside while the inside stays soft and creamy. It is often served as a warm meze, for instance grilled and finished with a little lemon or combined with tomato and herbs. Its smoky character also comes into its own in oven dishes, pasta or savoury tarts. Sliced thinly it makes a striking accent on a cheeseboard alongside milder cheeses.

Metsovone Kapnisto is more than a cheese; it is a product that reflects the culinary traditions of the mountainous Epirus region. The combination of high-quality milk, artisanal making and the distinctive smoking makes this cheese an authentic delicacy with an outspoken identity.

Nutritional value

Ingredients
Unpasteurised cow’s milk 90%, goat’s milk 10%, rennet.

Allergens
Contains: milk.