Dairy
Bra
Bra is a Piedmontese cow’s-milk cheese named for the town of Bra, historically a trading centre for alpine cheeses of the Cuneo valleys. It is made in soft (tenero) and hard (duro) styles: the soft is elastic and mild with a thin rind; the hard is firm, denser, and more savoury after longer ageing. Milk is typically from cow herds of the production zone, sometimes with minor sheep or goat milk allowed under rules. Soft Bra is sliced for the table; hard Bra is grated or used in cooking. PDO protection links the cheese to defined Piedmont communes and traditional pressing and maturing practice.
Also known as: Bra Tenero, Bra Duro
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Characteristics
Preparations
Traits
History
Mountain cheeses from the Cuneo valleys were brought to the market town of Bra for sale and redistribution.
Soft and hard Bra styles were distinguished in local dairy practice as pressed cow’s-milk products of the plains and hills.
Denomination of origin rules began protecting Bra’s geographic link and production methods.
Bra received Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status in the European Union.
Separate marketing of Bra Tenero and Bra Duro clarified age and texture for consumers.
Alpine-zone Bra (d’Alpeggio) and export of hard grating styles gained attention among specialty buyers.