Bagoss at Bra Cheese Exhibition: Heritage, Preservation, and DOP aims

We could not miss the bagoss, one of the best (if not the best) Brescia-based products, at the “International Quality Cheese Exhibition” currently taking place in the Piedmontese city of Bra.

The third edition of “Cheese“, organized by Slow Food and Arci Gola, which aims to repeat the success of past editions, also features this year the food gem from Bagolino, produced exclusively in the mountain huts that overlook the town.

The Recognition on the Ark of Taste

On this occasion, Slow Food has included bagoss in the “Ark of Taste“, which already hosts 42 products to be preserved.

This year, the central theme of “Cheese” is the presence of all Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) cheeses from the European Union.

Bagoss is also awaiting the DOP mark, which could guarantee the survival of an excellent product that encapsulates history and tradition.

History and Protection of the Cheese

Indeed, references to this cheese can be found in documents dating back to the 1500s, where it is mentioned as a valuable exchange commodity.

In Bra, Slow Food dedicated considerable space to raw milk cheeses, presenting EU representatives with a petition launched worldwide last September precisely for the protection of these foods.

Dedicated Stands and Presidia

On this occasion, as at the Salone del Gusto in Turin, the association’s presidia dedicated to raw milk dairy products returned: they were set up in the central via Garibaldi.

For each of the 30 cheeses at risk of extinction, a stand was organized for tasting and sale.

And naturally, a presidium was also reserved for the treasure of Bagolino.

Now a sought-after commodity, imitated by numerous industrial companies.

For this reason, almost all producers have organized into the “Valle di Bagolino” cooperative, which aims to obtain the DOP label to protect the interests of breeders and the product’s uniqueness.