Cheese of the week: Prima Donna maturo

Name: Prima Donna maturo (formaggio con passione)

Brand: Van der Sterre

Place of Purchase: Cub Foods in Ames, Iowa

Country/Region of Origin: Holland

Price in Iowa: $19.99/lb.

Milk: Cow

Processing: similar to Gouda, with a lower fat content, 12 months of aging

Texture: firm

Color: pale cream

Rind: natural

Aroma: sharp dairy

Taste: mix of Parmesan/Romano and gouda, light, sharp and nutty.

Mouth feel: slightly dry, firm, not chewy, crunchy protein crystals

Notes: I guess I splurged when I bought the maturo, but I'm glad I did. A trend that I've found in many of these extra-aged cheeses is the protein crystals. They add a crunch to the dry paste, but they also add little pops of flavor. This cheese deserves to be served all by itself. It'sunique flavor and mouthfeel require your full attention