Idiazábal Sheep's Milk Cheese, Lightly Smoked - 10 Ounces

Our Idiazábal cheese is made by a small family company in the heart of the Basque Country. A smoked unpasteurized sheep's milk cheese aged for 8 months, it gets a deep but subtle flavor from being smoked with hawthorn and cherry wood.

Traditionally, Basque shepherds would keep their flocks high in the Pyrenees Mountains throughout the spring and summer. In the early autumn, right after the first snows, the shepherds would appear in the villages below carrying with them the cheeses they made from the ewe’s milk all summer long.

To preserve the cheeses in the highlands they stored them by the chimneys of their mountain shelters, where they aged and naturally smoked.

This Denomination of Origin raw sheep’s milk cheese is hardwood smoked, coloring the outer rind from orange to a nutty brown. The smoke gently permeates the pale beige interior. As it ages, the flavor becomes a little sharper, and can be grated.

Idiazábal goes beautifully with fresh fruits, jamón, salchichón and crusty bread and pairs well with a hearty red wine.

How should I store cheese before opening?

Unopened cheese can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 6 months.

What is the shelf life after opening the cheese?

Once opened, it should be refrigerated and consumed within 3 to 4 weeks.

Can I freeze cheese for long-term storage?

Freezing is not recommended, as it can degrade the texture and quality of the cheese.

What should I do if spots appear on the cheese?

Spots can be wiped off using a cloth lightly dampened with olive oil, or trimmed away.

How are perishable items shipped?

La Tienda ships refrigerated items in a recyclable cooler or insulated package with frozen ice packs to arrive in top condition. 

How will my order be packed?

La Tienda packs products carefully to ensure they arrive in top condition. Cold items are packed with insulated packaging and ice packs to preserve freshness. Items will arrive in La Tienda branded boxes.