Cello Copper Kettle is a truly original, award-winning Wisconsin cheese made with artisanal, Old World cheesemaking methods. Cooked in traditional copper vats and aged for 16 months, this hard cheese from cow’s milk offers a distinctive taste experience: robust flavors combined with sweet notes of crushed apple and pineapple and a rich finish of cooked caramel. While Copper Kettle Cheese is perfect when grated over pasta, casseroles, pizzas, and soups, it’s perhaps best enjoyed on its own along with fresh figs, a bite of dark chocolate, a drizzle of honey, and a glass of chardonnay.
Cello Copper Kettle Cheese is made at Lake Country Dairy in Turtle Lake, Wisconsin. Here in the heart of America’s Dairyland, Christope Megevand is breathing new life into Old World cheesemaking techniques in the hope that more people will discover and fall in love with specialty cheese. From classic Italian cheeses like parmesan, romano, asiago, and fontina to the distinctive flavors of Copper Kettle, Cello is about making great tasting cheese for every palate to excite cheese lovers new and old. That puts Cello squarely in the tradition of Wisconsin cheesemakers who, for more than 180 years, have been perfecting Old World recipes and inventing new kinds of cheeses to share with America and the world.
Copper Kettle Cheese is a semi-hard variety made with pasteurized cow’s milk. Bursting with parmesan flavors, Copper Kettle has is golden hued with a texture that combines crunchy crystals with a creamy mouthfeel.
Starting with the freshest milk sourced from four local family farms, Copper Kettle is made with the same authentic Italian cheesemaking traditions as other hard cheeses like parmesan and grana padano. Each wheel is handcrafted, and cared for by a dedicated team of artisan cheesemakers. This commitment to the artisanal process has won Cello over 100 worldwide awards since 2006.
Copper vats have been used in cheesemaking for centuries. While most cheesemakers now use stainless steel, some still prefer copper for the unique influence it has on milk during production. Copper oxidizes rapidly and can react with milk compounds in beneficial ways. For certain cheeses, the copper reactions are so important to flavor and aroma that, when copper vats aren’t used, cheesemakers add copper supplements to the milk to achieve the same effect.
Certain cheeses continue to be made in copper vats today, including some parmigiano reggiano cheeses and many alpine varieties like emmental, raclette, gruyere, and comté.
Copper Kettle Cheese pairs beautifully with various beverages, making it a popular choice for cheese boards.
Because of its inherent sweetness, Copper Kettle can be paired with foods not usually associated with parmesan. The mellow sweetness of the cheese nicely balances out a savory salad or main entrée. Sprinkling it over an arugula salad will add sweetness to the tart greens. Grate Copper Kettle over mashed potatoes, creamy risottos, or roasted vegetables – especially earthy root vegetables like sweet potatoes, parsnips, and carrots. It adds distinctive flavor to a macaroni and cheese as well as heartier dishes like stews, chilis, and other slow cooker, one-dish wonders.
On a cheese board, the caramel finish of Copper Kettle is enhanced when paired with honey and figs, candied almonds, and dark chocolate to bring out the savory elements. Copper Kettle is an excellent cheese substitute for parmigiano reggiano, grana padano, and asiago.
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While Copper Kettle Cheese shares similarities with parmesan cheese, it tends to have a slightly more pronounced sweetness and nuttiness than traditional parmesan.
To preserve its flavor and texture, wrap the cheese in parchment or wax paper and store it in the refrigerator. It’s best to avoid plastic wrap, as it can cause the cheese to sweat and develop off flavors.
Copper Kettle Cheese can be found at specialty cheese shops and some larger grocery stores. It’s also available from cheese producers, particularly in regions known for artisanal cheesemaking, such as Wisconsin.
Cheese graters are essential for hard cheeses, allowing for easy grating over dishes like pasta, salads, or soups. Cheese slicers let you cut perfectly uniform slices of cheese for burgers and sandwiches. Charcuterie board accessories such as cheese knives, tongs, and serving bowls make it easier to present and serve cheese at parties. Melting tools like a fondue pot or a raclette grill are perfect for melting cheese and grilling accompaniments.
Craving award-winning aged cheddar, pining for parmesan, or searching for a new cheese to try? The world’s best cheese is just a click away! Explore our directory of Wisconsin cheesemakers and retailers who offer online cheese shopping and get cheese shipped right to your door. What are you waiting for?
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