Bel Paese

Bel Paese means “beautiful country” in Italian, and the cheese is one of the best known and most popular of the Italian table cheeses. It is the trade name of one of a group of soft, mild, fast-ripened Italian cheeses. The first bel paese was made in Melzo, near Milan; on the lid of each box of bel paese you will see a map of Italy with Melzo marked larger than Rome. Although this is intended for a table cheese, it also serves for cooking. Its softness makes it an excellent melting cheese or it can be used as a substitute for mozzarella.