If you're planning a relaxing vacation on Lake Garda to explore the local gastronomy, we recommend visiting the town of Tremosine. This charming and characteristic village is located in Lombardy on the Brescia side of Lake Garda and is listed among the "Most Beautiful Villages in Italy." Tremosine rises in the heart of the "Alto Garda Bresciano Park," where the landscape is extraordinarily beautiful, and nature remains unspoiled. There are many places to visit in this area, but anyone visiting cannot leave without first seeing the famous "Terrace of Thrill," a panoramic area that overlooks the lake, offering a breathtaking and unique view. Besides the beautiful sights, Tremosine is also well known for its gastronomy, especially its exquisite traditional cheeses. Let's discover together the distinctive characteristics and unmistakable flavors of these delicious local products.

Formagella di Tremosine

The delicate scent of mountain meadows

Formagella is a cow's milk cheese characterized by its soft texture. It is crafted by local farmers using freshly milked milk in the heart of the "Alto Garda Bresciano Park." This cheese has a delicate and fragrant taste, with the typical scent of mountain meadows. The organoleptic properties of Formagella are influenced by both the mountainous climate and that of Lake Garda. The regions where this cheese is produced include the Alto Garda areas and the mountainous part of Brescia.

Formagella di Tremosine is recognizable by the typical cross engraved on one side of the cheese. It can be either lightly or moderately aged, matured in environments with selected molds, resulting in a very digestible and high-quality cheese. This semi-fat, semi-cooked cheese is sold in wheels weighing between 1.4 and 1.8 kilograms. It is excellent as a table cheese or grated over tortelli, one of the most delicious and typical dishes of the area.

Aged Garda Cheese from Tremosine

Made exclusively with milk from "Razza Bruna" cows

Aged Garda Cheese is produced by a cooperative of farmers and mountain dwellers in Tremosine. They create this excellent cheese using only partially skimmed milk from "Razza Bruna" cows. These cows have been raised in the Tremosine area for centuries, benefiting from the pristine nature, the lake's climate, and the alpine environment. This combination of mountain herbs and lake climate results in a delightful product cherished by cheese enthusiasts.

Aged Garda is a semi-fat, semi-cooked "mountain-style" cheese. It can be soft, sliceable, or suitable for grating, depending on its aging. The cheese has a straw-yellow color and a slightly strong but pleasant flavor. The aging process ranges from eight to twenty-four months, following the strict "Production Regulations." Aged Garda from Tremosine is sold in wheels of 7 to 8 kilograms. Traditionally consumed at the end of a meal, it is excellent grated over first courses like risottos, soups, and stews and is also highly appreciated with polenta.

Casato del Garda Cheese

Produced since Roman times

This cheese, known in dialect as "Casàt," has an ancient tradition dating back to Roman times. It is believed that its name comes from its historical production, which was intended exclusively for local noble families. Even today, Casato del Garda is produced on a small scale, with only a few quintals made, and is available exclusively from local producers, making it a "niche product." This cheese is produced near Monte Baldo on the eastern side of Lake Garda.

Casato del Garda has a straw-yellow color and no rind because it is matured in Garda Extra Virgin Olive Oil. It has a spicy flavor and is typically semi-fat or full-fat. Its aging ranges from one to five months. This cheese is sold in cubes immersed in jars filled with olive oil. It is consumed as a table cheese, served as an appetizer, or added to salads with a generous grind of black pepper. It is also used to prepare rolls and in fish and vegetable recipes.

Garda Caciotta, Stracchino with Rind, and Colle del Garda

In addition to the cheeses described above, the Tremosine area offers other high-quality cheeses typical of the region, each with unique flavors and soft textures. Let’s explore these excellent products:

• Garda Caciotta: A cheese with a sweet flavor, smooth rind, and white paste. When more aged, its flavor becomes more intense, and its texture becomes firmer.
• Stracchino with Rind: This cheese is characterized by its pleasant melt-in-the-mouth texture, with a delicately intense flavor and a beautiful ivory-white color. It is a soft cheese with a barely perceptible washed rind.
• Colle del Garda: This cheese also has a washed rind with a slightly pink hue. The paste is soft and creamy, with a straw-yellow color. Its flavor is intense and bold but not spicy.

These products make excellent table cheeses to serve as appetizers or tasty snacks with bread and crostini. Alternatively, they are perfect as a nutritious main course or for a quick dinner, accompanied by cooked or raw vegetables.

If you're a cheese lover and plan to visit this area of Lake Garda during your next vacation, don’t forget to include a stop to discover the milk and cheeses of this enchanting region. You will uncover unusual, enveloping, and satisfying flavors.