The Origin of Cheese

Not long ago this information was the “trending topic” of the world of cheese; there is finally a certain evidence of the origins of cheese and an accurate date of such moment instead of the, until now, lapses taken which could include centuries or even millenniums.

We don´t know if this was the real origin of cheese, but it´s at least the earliest solid evidence of its existence. It was around 7500 years ago in a region that nowadays is Poland.

“Though there is no definitive test for cheese, we found large amounts of fatty milk residue on the pottery shards compared to cooking or storage pots from the same sites” said Richard Evershed at the University of Bristol.

That seems to be enough to prove that some of the sieves found in Poland were used to separate fatty curds from the liquid whey, all of this in a crude cheese-making process.

“It’s a very compelling forensic argument that this was connected to cheese” Evershed said. He also said that the discovery of cheese-making was a  major development for Neolithic people and gave an extra survival advantage since they could get more essential calories, minerals and proteins thanks to this way of milk preservation which was also benefitial to have reserves when food was scantly, specially in winter time.

Cheese also helped to make Neolithic diet a little more diverse. “Food was incredibly dull and monotonous” said Paul Kindstedt, a professor of nutrition and food sciences at the University of Vermont who didn´t take part in the study.

These “Neolithic cheeses” were sure non-perishable and quite pungent. “They wouldn´t be the first choice for many people now, but anyway I´d still love trying them” confirmed Kindstedt.

What´s sure is that the evolution of cheese has been constant since it was first made. Right now there are so many kinds of cheese that trying each one would be almost impossible to imagine.

Here in Sierra de Albarracin cheese factory, we use only fresh sheep's milk obtained exclusively from the livestock owned by the dairy itself, following the strictest standards in terms of nutrition and hygiene. The entire process perfectly balances traditional craft methods with the very latest technological developments.

We are waiting for you in our factory but also in our web, where you´ll be always welcome!

Post extracted from the online National Post

Cooper´s Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake Festival

Source: Wikipedia

As cheese lovers, we can´t let pass the chance to talk about a festival that occurs in UK every Summer; The Cooper´s Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake Festival, in Gloucestershire.

As its very own name says, it´s all about a race down the hill in which the people chase after a big cheese that has been also sent down the hill just one second before. The prize will be the very same cheese that the fastest racer gets to take.

Source: Wikipedia

It sounds fun, but it´s also hard since finishing this peculiar race with no harm is practically impossible.

The Cooper´s hill is so steep that the cheese (7 lb) reaches a speed of around 65 mi. per hour. It becomes a real danger if anyone gets in its way and it has been since 20 years ago the same kind from the same local artisan; a double Gloucester cheese.

There are several races along the day; 4 or 5 down the hill and other 4 or 5 up the hill. Is in these last ones when children under 12 can take part in the “game”.

At the lower slope there are catchers, strong men who are in charge of grasp and stop the participants with too much inertia. You can also find ambulances and health workers to assist the injured people.

Some of the injured get to cross the winning post the first, but they end up so tired and with so many bruises that they can´t even rise the cheese they´ve just won.

Anyway, what´s sure is that all the people have lots of fun either way; participating or just watching. Is a day of joy and laughter.

What would you think if we import this celebration into our village Albarracín? We also have a great and steep hill. It´s even surrounded by the medieval wall.

Shall we start a new tradition? Which of our cheeses would we throw downhills? 

Autumn Stockbreeding Fair of Biescas, Huesca, Pyrenees (October 2012)

As every year at the end of October, a very interesting Fair takes place in the beautiful village of Biescas. Located in the Pyrenees and surrounded by the most beautiful mountain landscape (Huesca Spanish province).

This weekend the Autumn Fair, which is always growing bigger and better, is one more year going to be full of activities such as different cattle shows, traditional games exhibition, mushroom tasting, veal tasting, etc. Among these activities, our cheese from Albarracín will be taking part of the IX Autumn Cheese Contest. (Cross your fingers for us).

As novelty of this year, there will be a new big top where the cheese and wine producers will be offering their own delicacies. The big top will be divided by two parts; one commercial and one for tasting and voting for the best Autumn cheese. There you will be able to taste some of our well known and award winners cheeses: Black Label, Green Label, Gold Label and more…

We recommend a little visit at least one day, you won´t regret being surrounded by all the stockbreeding environment together with other cultural activities: Photography contest, Gorriti festival, a puppeteer show of Binéfar and the previously mentioned tastings.

It´s a Fair made for all kinds of audience. ¡Come and check it out yourself!

Visit Teruel, Discover Albarracín And Join Us At La Quesería

Mudejar style in Teruel, the most typical and famous.

Teruel is a legendary city thanks to the famous story of the lovers of Teruel, it´s full of charming corners like the central Plaza del Torico, the aqueduct of the arches and the popular Paseo del Óvalo.

Aqueduct in Teruel

From the earliest times, several prehistoric and Iberian civilizations settled in the area of Teruel. Reaching the highest prosperity during the Middle Age, a wall was built around its perimeter to separate its Christian land from the Muslim kingdom of Valencia, right next to it.

Plaza del Torico

It was precisely this Islamic influence that left in Teruel and Aragon the most important Mudejar monuments of Spain. It´s a fusion of Gothic with Muslim architectural elements that make this style unique around the world.

Thanks to its history, Teruel is full of little charming streets to visit and wonderful museums, such as the Diocesan Museum of Teruel and the Provincial museum.

Near the city of Teruel are historic places and villages like Albarracín, declared a National Monument.

Albarracín was the former capital of a Moorish kingdom (Taifa), ever since it has preserved all its Islamic and mediaeval characteristics. This entire multicultural heritage brought a wide range of architectural and cultural styles and built the village as it is now; narrow, steep and unorganized streets are all around. The medieval defensive walls are much longer than the village itself. What we see today corresponds to three different periods of construction.

View of Albarracín and its wall

Albarracín also offers the opportunity to visit some museums; the Bishops Palace has a Diocesan Museum (Santa María Foundation) attached to it with a good collection of Flemish tapestries. Other museums that you should not miss are the museum of Albarracín, the Museum of theironworks and there is even a Toy Museum, all of them are places of great interest.

If after touring the whole day you still have strength enough to walk around a little more, we encourage you to go to any of the bars or restaurants in Albarracín and enjoy with a piece of the best cheese of the region; Cheese from Albarracín (Queso de la Sierra de Albarracín) accompanied with a revitalizing glass of wine. The fine texture and delicious flavour of our cheeses will help you out to recover some energy and it will be the best end of a journey that a person could ever have.
Surrounded by all this ancient heritage, La Quesería de Albarracín could not find a better environment to produce its cheeses, from taking care of its own ewe to the final process of tagging the cheeses; all respecting the artisan way of centuries of cheese culture.

Come visit us and enjoy all that Teruel, Albarracín and us can offer to you! Beautiful views and places and, of course, delicious food, specially jamón (Spanish ham) and our cheese.

The Foundation that keeps our cultural heritage: Santa María, (Albarracín, Teruel).

The Santa Maria Foundation in Albarracín is a non-profit organisation and an innovative project in which the outstanding and wonderful cultural heritage of Albarracín is managed.

The Foundation was created in 1996, promoted by several institutions of Albarracín. It´s located in the village´s old episcopal palace, which was restored thanks to a previous programme.

Its most important aims are:

• The economical and sociocultural development of the region.
• The restoration, conservation and management of the cultural heritage.
• To vitalize the cultural and historical legacy.
• The promotion of diverse cultural and educational activities.
• The establishment of collaboration sources among different organizations.

One of the most important Foundation aims is the architectural restoration. Since its beginnings many important monuments have been recovered from forgetfulness.

The constant activation of the village is due to the application of an important cultural programme, divided by different actions such as courses and seminaries, exhibitions and concerts. Since some time ago there has been a big development of an artistical creation programme designed for painting professionals on a first stage of creation and also for movable goods restorers.

At present Albarracín is also considered as a city for meetings and congresses. The infrastructures and services given by the Foundation make possible to celebrate any collective event, also supported by the numerous and very nicely furnished little hotels around Albarracín. 


Official website: http://www.fundacionsantamariadealbarracin.com