With 30 traditional cheeses, 9 PDO cheeses and 3 slow-food presidia, Bergamo holds the title of European Cheese Capital.
As many as 9 Bergamasque cheeses have officially obtained Protected Designation of Origin(PDO) status, but soon “Strachitunt,” a very old cheese (the first evidence is found in a parchment dating back to 1380) that has been saved, rising to international fame, thanks to the tenacity of a few farmers and producers in Val Taleggio, will also be able to boast the prestigious label.
Today the Bergamasque region ranks first in Italy for the number of PDO cheeses, with an estimated 150 mountain pastures still active.
Goat farms and the growing favor that tasty goat cheeses are encountering are also to be taken into good consideration.
Since 2019, Bergamo has joined the network of UNESCO Creative Cities for Food and Wine, thanks to the cheese production of its Cheese Valleys.