Rey Silo Afuega'l Pitu
- Producer
- Quesería Artesanal de Pravia
- Country
- Spain
- Region
- Asurias
- Size
- 2.5 ins wide at base, 3 ins high
- Weight
- 8 oz
- Website
- www.reysilo.es
- Milk
- Cow
- Classification
- Firm
- Rennet
- Animal
- Rind
- Mold Ripened
Produced in the western Asturias region of Spain, Rey Silo Afuega'l Pitu is a traditional cheese with one of the oldest production histories in Europe. Named after the King of Asturias who presided over the court in the later part of the 8th century, first mentions of Rey Silo occur in letters to the Emperor Charlemagne from the same era. Today, production of this DOP name protected, raw, cow’s milk cheese takes place at Quesería Artesanal de Pravia under the lead of cheesemaker Ernesto Madera López. Milk for production is sourced from nearby dairy farms aroudn the village of Oviñana. Here, in a region known for its dairy cattle, the cows graze high quality mountain pastures and the milk is sent directly for cheesemaking. Upon arrival at Quesería Artesanal de Pravia, the fresh milk, which has not been chilled, is transferred into small vats and coagulated before being hand-ladled into cheese molds. After the curd has drained, the newly formed wheels are unmolded and individually salted by hand, with crystal salt sourced from the French Carmague. Cheeses are then allowed to dry and the batches of Rey Silo are moved to underground cellars for further aging. The cellars’ proximity to the Nalón River means the cellars are naturally at the ideal temperature and humidity for maturing cheese, resulting in the “terrior” of the region clearly showing through in the finished Rey Silo. Rey Silo is produced in two styles, a white version and a red version (see separate entry).
Tasting Notes
The texture of the white cheese is semi-firm, dense and slightly chalky. Flavors are quite intense but balanced with notes of cream, salt, hazlenuts and butter. For cheeses produced during the summer months, you can also detect floral and grassy aromas.
