Italian butter, through and through, comes to us through the virtue of travel!
Faggiola is a nice, typical Italian butter (light; unsalted) coming from the Apennine mountain region between Tuscany and Emilia Romagna in the centre of the country.
Like most Italian butters, this one isn't for export - the locals focus on producing and enjoying the products of their labours 'in house' as it were.
According to their website, the founders named the company after the highest peak in the mountain chain where the milk for their products is made. Formed in 1961 as a dairy cooperative for the farmers of Mugello, Faggiola also produces various cheeses, milk and cream for the Italian market and are very proud of their impeccable hygiene and healthy, natural products.
We love Italian butter because it is so delicate - it really lets the milk shine through.
Faggiola Butter Appreciation
Butter Break Down
Appreciation Date: August 7, 2022
Country of Origin: Italy
Point of Procurement: Pistoia
Purchase State: Fresh
Milk: Cow, pasteurised
Salt Content: None
Milk Fat Content: 82%
Ingredients: Italian butter
Company Website: https://www.faggiola.org/en/
Butter Evaluation
In which we discuss Faggiola's butter.
Ah, Italian butter! Light, airy, ever-unsalted! Faggiola is no exception - they only produce one butter packaged in two different sizes. The lack of variety is indicative of how much faith they have in their product: Here it is. Big or Small. Take or leave!
Europe really is fabulous. We picked up the smaller one whilst bumbling around in Pistoia (Tuscany) whilst there on holiday and how lucky we were! We were constantly amazed at the variety of local butter available to the average consumer at very reasonable prices - Faggiola is no exception!
This butter is 'medium' white for Italian butter - almost creamy in colour but still with that distinct Italian brilliance and a super high sheen to it. Even on the interior, it maintains some of its glossiness which is commendable.
This butter is also medium soft at room temperature with a delightful, airy texture that almost seems as though the butter has been whipped... which also makes it a delight to spread!
Unfortunately, there is a little bit of packaging interference - we've noticed this with Italian butters sometimes. The prepared paper packaging can impart a slightly chemical essence to the contacted surface of the butter which is a shame since Faggiola is such a delicate butter.
However, the aromas of the butter remained unimpeded in the interior of the pack and it had very faint notes of milk with a slight suggestion of ferment.
On the palate, it's full Italian: very clean, very fresh and very discrete, with some clean, milky notes on the palate. It has a good mouth-feel that coats well but doesn't linger too long. It's nice and rich but very light and refreshing at the same time.
Final Rundown
This is a very good example of Italian butter. Its particular strengths are in its texture with a nice medium softness that's a pleasure to spread and some very faint milky notes to its taste profile. If you're looking for a very buttery butter, this isn't for you. But if you're looking for something light and fresh yet still rich, you've found the perfect match!
Colour: Bright, creamy white
Aroma: Some packaging interference on fresh milk
Taste: Light and slightly milky
7/10
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