Scamorza - Smoked (Maplebrook Farm)
- Producer
- Maplebrook Farm
- Country
- United States
- Region
- Vermont
- Size
- 5 ins long, 3 ins diameter
- Weight
- 1.5 lbs
- Website
- www.maplebrookvt.com
- Milk
- Cow
- Classification
- Firm
- Rennet
- Vegetable
- Rind
- Smoked
Maplebrook Farm was founded in 2003 after a chance encounter. Founder, Johann Englert, came across Al Ducci's Groceria in Manchester, Vermont during a visit and when she tasted their mozzarella, it transported her back to her time in Italy during college. Johann immediately bought 20 pieces of the mozzarella since she knew she couldn’t get anything that good in Boston, where she lives. After returning home, she contacted the Al Ducci’s and spoke to the owner’s son, Mike Scheps, who happened to be the cheesemaker and asked him if he could supply her in Boston with the curd to make their own mozzarella. With an answer of yes, the agreement was in place and Maplebrook Farm was born. Today, Maplebrook Farm is a major producer of artisanal cheese on the east coast. It employs around 20 cheesemakers, who are each trained in old world cheesemaking techniques. The Farm sources its rBGH free milk from small family farms throughout Vermont to make their line of mostly Italian cheeses. Mike still is the head cheesemaker for the majority of their cheeses, but as of 2010 now has help from Domenico Marchitelli, who makes the Burrata and Scamorza. Domenico hails from Puglia, Italy, the birthplace of Burrata.Smoked Scamorza is a dried Mozzarella that is then smoked for added flavor. It is made by producing a fresh Mozzarella ball, which is then tied about 2/3 of the way toward the top, creating a pear-shaped cheese. It is hung to dry and then smoked over Cherry wood. This creates a slightly sweet smoked flavor to the now firm, friable cheese.
Pairings
While the Smoked Scamorza can be used in the same dishes as Mozzarella, it is also can be grilled on its own, making it a great cheese to use in cookouts as a side dish. With the smoky flavor, it pairs nicely with off-dry white and rose wines. It also works well with earthy, and fruit forward red wines such as Pinot Noir.
