Cheese Board: Graviera is a star addition to any cheese board, offering a delightful contrast with its sweet and nutty flavor. It pairs well with fresh fruits, honey, and robust red wines. Dessert Cheese: Due to its slight sweetness, Graviera can be served as a dessert cheese. Combine it with fruits like pears and apples, or drizzle it with honey for a decadent treat. Graviera Agrafon (made in Western Thessaly and Evritania), Graviera Kritis (manufactured in Crete), and Graviera Naxou are the three PDO Gravieras in Greece (from the island of Naxos in the Cyclades). Although not designated as a PDO, outstanding Graviera cheese is also produced on the islands of Tinos (from cow’s milk), Lesvos, the province of Epirus, and the town of Amfilochia. A brief description of Graviera!

There are three PDO Gravieras in Greece: Graviera Agrafon (produced in Western Thessaly and Evritania), Graviera Kritis (produced in Crete) and Graviera Naxou (from the island of Naxos in the Cyclades). Production of exceptional Graviera cheese –although not registered as PDO– also takes place in the islands of Tinos (from cow’s milk), Lesvos, as well as in the region of Epirus and the municipality of Amfilochia. Graviera Naxou (of Naxos) cheese is made on the Cycladic island of Naxos. It has a rind, a golden tint, and a compact bulk with little holes. It is made in circular wheels using pasteurized cow milk plus a tiny amount of sheep and goat milk, with a total percentage of no more than 20%. It’s a firm table cheese with a good taste and a faint scent. It has a maximum humidity of 38% and a minimum fat content of 40%. In conclusionComes in varieties ranging from young and mild to aged and intense. It has a sweet, creamy, and nutty flavor The maturing of the cheese occurs in rooms at 12-15°C temperature and humidity of approximately 85%. During this stage, the surface of the cheese is salted repeatedly for 3 weeks, until it obtains a 2% content in salt. When the salting of the cheese is completed, it is transported in an area at 16-18°C, where it stays for a month and then is placed in booths with a temperature of 12-15°C and 90-95% humidity for the maturing to complete. The total time of maturation is 3-6 months. During the maturing process, a micro-flora develops on the surface, which contributes to the maturing and the development of the organoleptic characteristics of the cheese. The cheese is then covered in natural beeswax.

Graviera is Greece’s second most popular cheese after Feta. The very first Graviera was produced in the country in 1914 by a cheesemaker in the Peloponnese and was based on the recipe of the Swiss Gruyère cheese (even the name itself, Graviera, is somewhat derived from Gruyère), but with one significant difference: cow’s milk was replaced by sheep and goat’s milk. Aged cheese with a complex flavor that can include notes of fruit, nuts, caramel, and even chocolate Sweet and nutty flavor. It can also have a hint of burnt caramel, a touch of spiciness, or a goaty undertone depending on the region it’s made in

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Cooking: Graviera’s melting properties make it an excellent choice for cooking. You can use it in pasta dishes, risottos, or baked goods for a burst of Greek flavor.

Graviera Naxou (of Naxos) cheese is produced in the island of Naxos, in the Cyclades. It is a cheese with rind, yellow color and compact mass with small holes. It is produced in round wheels from pasteurized cow milk and a mixture that includes a small percentage of sheep and goat milk, the total percentage of which does not exceed 20%. It is categorized as a hard table cheese with a pleasant flavor and light aroma. It has a 38% maximum humidity and a 40% minimum fat content. Graviera is Greece's second most popular cheese after feta. Made in wheels, the rind of the hard cheese is marked with the characteristic crisscross pattern of its draining cloth. There are various types of graviera produced in Greece. Graviera of Crete is made from sheep's milk and ripened for at least five months. [2] It is slightly sweet, with a pleasant burnt caramel flavor. The graviera of Naxos, in contrast, is mostly made of cow's milk (80–100%). Pizza Topping: Graviera can be used as an interesting alternative to mozzarella on pizzas. Its nutty sweetness adds a unique twist to your classic pizza recipe. For the production of Graviera Kritis PDO, the coagulation of milk occurs at 34-36°C. The curd is then divided after approximately 30 minutes. It is then warmed up to 50-52°C while constantly stirred and is then poured into molds and placed under pressure. The cheese is then transported to a room at 14-16°C and humidity of approximately 85%. A day later it is placed in brine for 2 to 5 days, depending on the size of the cheese. The maturing of the cheese occurs in booths with a temperature of 14-18°C and humidity of 85-90%. At this stage, the cheese is periodically upturned and is salted 10 times. During the maturing process, a micro-flora develops on the surface, which contributes to the maturing and the development of the sensory characteristics of the cheese. Total maturation time is at least 3 months.

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Aroma: Graviera has a pleasant aroma that is reminiscent of milk. As it matures, it develops a rich, grassy scent that enhances the overall sensory experience. This Greek cheese may be eaten sliced, fried, shredded over pasta dishes and salads, and baked in casseroles. It is also ideal for creating cheese fritters. Graviera cheese has a lot of saturated fat and salt but is also strong in protein and calcium. Outside of Greece, Graviera cheese is widely available. Graviera cheese is made in many places around Greece, most notably on Naxos, Lesbos, Crete, and Amfilochia islands. Graviera Agrafon PDO is made from sheep’s milk or goat’s milk in the hilly highlands of Agrafa (Western Thessaly / Evritania). The proportion of goat’s milk in the overall weight must not exceed 30%. Graviera Agrafon is tougher and spicier than other comparable cheeses due to the inclusion of goat’s milk. It is a firm, round-rind compact cheese with tiny round holes that is yellow and has a strong scent. It has a maximum humidity of 38% and a fat content of 40%. 2. Graviera Kritis PDO