Ricotta Salata Cheese
Ricotta Salata Cheese – Authentic Italian Sheep’s Milk Cheese
Ricotta Salata is a traditional Italian cheese made from sheep’s milk whey, pressed, salted, and aged for a minimum of 90 days. During aging, the ricotta loses over 50% of its moisture, resulting in a firm, sliceable texture and a pleasantly salty, savory flavor.
Milky white in color with a compact body, Ricotta Salata offers a clean whey aroma and a balanced saltiness that intensifies with maturation. Unlike fresh ricotta, this aged version is designed for grating, slicing, crumbling, and shaving, making it a staple of Southern Italian cuisine.
Taste & Texture
-
Flavor: Savory, salty, clean whey notes
-
Texture: Semi-soft to firm, crumbly when aged
-
Color: Bright white interior, pale rind
-
Aroma: Pungent, dairy-forward
Traditional Production
Ricotta Salata is not a conventional cheese but a by-product of cheese making, produced by re-cooking sheep’s milk whey. Once the whey proteins rise to the surface, they are collected, molded, hand-salted, and aged on wooden shelves in well-ventilated environments.
This process, preserved by shepherds for generations, allows the cheese to develop structure, flavor, and extended shelf life while maintaining its distinctive character.
Culinary Uses
Ricotta Salata is one of the most iconic ingredients in Sicilian cuisine. It is best known for:
-
Grating over pasta alla Norma
-
Crumbling into salads and pasta salads
-
Shaving over grilled vegetables or legumes
-
Serving with fresh fruit or beans
Its firm structure makes it ideal wherever a salty, dairy finish is needed.
Pairings
-
Excellent with tomato-based dishes
-
Pairs well with Sicilian red wines, such as Etna Rosso or Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Nutritional Values (per 100 g)
-
Energy: 279 kcal
-
Fat: 23 g
-
Saturated fat: 15 g
-
-
Carbohydrates: 2 g
-
Sugars: 2 g
-
-
Protein: 18 g
-
Salt: 3.1 g
Rich in high-quality protein, calcium, and vitamins B1, B2, PP, and A.
Storage
-
Store unopened in a cool, dry place (8–10°C / 46–50°F)
-
Shelf life: 3 months
-
After opening, refrigerate and consume within a short period
Product Details
-
Ingredients: Sheep’s milk whey, salt
-
Aging: 3 months
-
Packaging: Vacuum-sealed plastic
-
Region: Sicily
-
Country of Origin: Italy
Available Sizes (Weight Approximate)
-
Half Wheel: 4.5–5 lb (2–2.3 kg)
-
Full Wheel: 9–10 lb (4–4.6 kg)
CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65 WARNING:
This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and/or birth defects as well as other reproductive harm. For more information please go to www.p65warnings.ca.gov/food
WARNING.
Alma Gourmet makes every effort to ensure product information is accurate and up to date; however, manufacturers may change ingredients, formulations, or packaging without notice. Product labels may contain information that differs from what is displayed on our website. Please review all packaging labels, warnings, and instructions before use or consumption and do not rely solely on website information, including product descriptions, ingredients, allergens, or nutrition details. For the most current information, contact the manufacturer directly.
Information on this site is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Alma Gourmet disclaims responsibility for product inaccuracies or misstatements.
Customer Reviews
You can’t beat the price per pound or most importantly the quality. Hard Ricotta is often sourced from Sardinia, however Alma’s has been Sicilian. Both rugged countryside a natural for sheep. Keeps fresh for many many months.
A satisfied repeat customer!
Ciao!
Didn’t actually receive this cheese. I received a different brand and a lower weight, 8 1/4 lbs. Your customer service issued a refund for the weight difference.
We haven’t tried the cheese yet. It’s for family Christmas gifts.
