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Acapella

Attributes
Producer: 
Andante Dairy
Website: 
www.andantedairy.com
Country of Origin: 
United States
Region of Origin: 
California
Milk Type: 
Goat
Milk Treatment: 
Pasteurised
Classification: 
Soft
Rennet: 
Microbial
Rind: 
Mold Ripened
Shape: 
Disc or Pyramid
Size: 
Varies
Weight: 
Varies

Established in 1999, Andante Dairy is owned and operated by Soyoung Scanlan. The creamery is located at the Volpi Ranch near Petaluma, just north of San Francisco, California, which is also the source for Scanlan's goat's milk. Cow's milk is brought in from the 400-strong herd of Jersey cows at nearby Spring Hill Dairy.

Prior to becoming a cheesemaker, Soyoung had a successful career working as a biochemist in both the engineering and science worlds. She also has a strong background in classical music as an avid pianist, making her a rare combination of talents that seem to converge over the cheesemaking vat.

Having studied the properties of milk and cheesemaking intensely for two years, including a stint at Cal Poly, in San Luis Obispo, Soyoung has become a highly respected figure in the artisan cheese industry. She is known for producing small quantities of extremely high quality cheeses, many of which are made in the French style.

By choice, Soyoung works alone. Her cheesemaking facility is clean, simple, highly organized and has plenty of space to move about. Her early cheesemaking career was greatly encouraged and inspired by Thomas Keller, the chef owner and chef of the French Laundry in Yountville. Keller and Scanlan both have a tremendous eye for detail and perfection, and it is these qualities that shine though in all aspects of Scanlan's cheese. At Andante, Scanlan produces a range of cheeses made from cow, sheep and goat's milk, or combinations of the three.

Produced from pasteurized goat’s milk, Acapella is made in three distinct versions. There is a truncated pyramid, aged to give a firmer cheese, a gently- giving little three-ounce round, and also a larger four- to six-ounce ashed-coated round. Each iteration exhibits Scanlan’s characteristic delicacy of touch, coaxing intense, clean flavors out of her raw materials.

Flavors are mild and buttery with a slightly tart finish.
Pairings: 
Pairs well with white Burgundy.
Featured Cheeses
Featured Year: 
2012
Featured Month: 
10
Featured Day: 
16
Featured Photo: 
use this photo
Featured Title: 
Three cheeses from Andante Dairy uploaded to the Cheese Library
Featured Summary: 
Today we feature cheeses made by Soyoung Scanlan of Andante Dairy in California: Acapella, Adantino and Cabecou.


To see our complete cheese library, go to culturecheesemag.com/cheese-library
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