Tetilla is the most characteristic cheese made in Galicia, and since 1993 is one of four cheeses from Galicia with certification of origin. It is now a common element in Galician cuisine, often used as a dessert.
Originally produced in small towns along the border between the provinces of A Coruña and Pontevedra such as Arzúa, Melide, Curtis or Sobrado dos Monxes, it is now produced in all of Galicia. The milk used comes mainly from the Galician Blond cow breed.
The name tetilla (Galician for small breast) describes the shape of the cheese, a sort of cone topped by a nipple, or a half pear (hence its other denomination, perilla cheese). It weighs from half to one and a half kg, with a diameter and height ranging from 90 to 150 millimeters.
Famous quotes containing the word cheese:
“Apart from cheese and tulips, the main product of the country is advocaat, a drink made from lawyers.”
—Alan Coren (b. 1938)