La Retorta, (Vegetarian), 160g

Milk type: Raw sheep's milk

Type of rennet: Cardoon thistle rennet (Vegetarian)

From: Cáceres, Extremadura

Net weight: 160g per unit

Winner: Silver at the World Cheese Awards 2023

Vegetarian. 

There is a tradition in South West Spain, and over the border in Portugal, of making sheep's milk cheeses called "torta" using thistle rennet, resulting in full flavoured cheeses with a soft, sometimes liquid interior.

Finca Pascualete an interesting example of this unique style of cheese. La Retorta has a smooth, dense and creamy texture and ochre and pungent rind with aromas of mustard and dry hay. Full bodied in flavours with noticeable bitterness at the finish.