Pecorino Cardino Vegetable Rennet

Pecorino Cardino — raw milk, thistle flower rennet, soft paste

Most pecorino cheeses are made with animal rennet. The Cardino from Caseificio Nuovo is not. It uses exclusively rennet extracted from the thistle flower (Cynara cardunculus) — an ancient technique that gives the cheese a clean, plant-forward aromatic profile: intense fresh milk fragrance, delicate herbal notes, a gently complex finish. Aged between 40 and 60 days, soft paste, fresh character.

🌿 What makes it different

The Cardino is suitable for vegetarians — without any compromise on flavour. Thistle rennet is not a marketing angle: it coagulates sheep's milk more slowly than animal rennet, producing a finer texture and a less sharp, more layered taste. The use of raw milk — unheated, with its natural bacterial flora intact — amplifies the aromatic depth further. The result is a cheese that tastes of what it actually is: fresh sheep's milk from Italy, coagulated the traditional way.

🧾 Product Details

🍽️ How to enjoy it

Take the Cardino out of the fridge at least 20 minutes before serving — the soft paste opens up at room temperature. Slice at medium thickness, serve on its own or on a cheese board alongside cured meats. It pairs naturally with anything that has a touch of sweetness.

In the kitchen it melts evenly: grated over simple tomato pasta, stirred into a vegetable risotto, or melted onto toasted bruschetta. It complements rather than dominates.

🔗 Complete your cheese board

More hand-selected Tuscan cheeses from Salumeria Toscana:

• 🧀 Cave-Aged Pecorino Stagionato — long ageing, natural rind, firm paste
• 🧀 Aged Pecorino Toscano DOP — DOP certification, Tuscan milk, bold flavour
• 🍄 Pecorino with Truffle — marbled with black truffle, perfect as a starter
• 🧀 All Tuscan Cheeses — the full selection

🍯 Recommended pairings

The classic match is acacia honey — its neutral sweetness highlights the herbal notes of the thistle rennet without overpowering them. Other pairings that work well:

• Fig jam — richer sweetness, ideal on an aperitivo board
• Toasted walnuts and almonds — textural contrast on the cheese board
• Dry white wine — Vernaccia di San Gimignano or a young Vermentino
• Wildflower honey — a more aromatic alternative to acacia

🍴 HoReCa — Restaurant and Catering Supply

The Cardino is available for restaurants, delicatessens and catering operations. For recurring orders, larger quantities or custom ageing requirements:

📧 info@salumeriatoscana.shop · 📞 +39 339 879 4945

🚚 Refrigerated Shipping — Cold Chain Guaranteed

The Cardino ships vacuum-sealed in insulated packaging with cooling gel — same treatment as fresh meat. Temperature maintained throughout the entire journey.

Dispatch days: every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday → delivery by Friday. Orders placed from Thursday onwards are dispatched the following Monday.

🇮🇹 Italy:

🌍 Europe (DE · AT · FR · NL · BE · PL · SE · UK …):

📦 Every shipment includes: vacuum-sealed product with label and best before date · insulated packaging with cooling gel · tracked delivery with notification.

After delivery: store in the fridge at 0–4°C. After opening, consume within 5–7 days, covering the cut surface with food wrap.

❓ FAQ

Is the Cardino suitable for vegetarians? Yes. It is made exclusively with thistle flower rennet — no animal-derived coagulant in the process. Suitable for vegetarian diets. Not suitable for vegans (contains sheep's milk).

What does raw milk mean? Raw milk is not pasteurised before processing. This preserves the natural bacterial flora and original milk aromas, resulting in a more aromatic and complex cheese compared to pasteurised milk products.

What is thistle rennet? Wild thistle (Cynara cardunculus) contains natural coagulating enzymes extracted from its flowers. It is one of the oldest vegetable rennets in Europe, still used in traditional Italian and Portuguese pecorino production. It gives the cheese a gently herbaceous aromatic profile and a characteristic finish.

Can I freeze the Cardino? Yes — freeze immediately upon receipt if you are not consuming it straight away. Defrost slowly in the fridge for 24 hours before use, never at room temperature. The soft paste holds up reasonably well to freezing, but fresh is always preferable.

How long does it keep after opening? Stored in the fridge with the cut surface wrapped in food paper, it will keep for 5–7 days after opening.

❄️ How We Ship — Guaranteed Cold Chain

Our products travel in insulated packaging with dry ice — constant temperature throughout the entire journey, from our facility in Florence to your door.

When we ship:
We dispatch every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Delivery within 24/48h from dispatch. Orders placed from Thursday onwards are dispatched the following Monday.

🚚 Shipping Costs Italy:
Under €50 → €8.90 · From €50 to €120 → €4.90 · Over €120 → €3.90

🌍 Shipping Costs Europe (DE, FR, UK, AT, NL, SE, PL ...):
0–5 kg → €19.00 · 5–10 kg → €26.00 · Over 10 kg → €33.00

🧊 How to Store After Delivery

Vacuum-packed and unopened: Store in the fridge at 0–4°C. Always check the best before date printed on the label.

After opening: Consume within 5–10 days depending on the product. Cover the cut surface with food wrap and keep refrigerated.

For longer storage: Freeze immediately upon receipt. Defrost slowly in the fridge for 24 hours before consuming — never at room temperature.

📦 What's in the box:
Vacuum-packed product with label and best before date · Insulated packaging with dry ice · Tracked delivery with notification

✅ Our Guarantee — No Ifs, No Buts

If a product arrives damaged, in poor condition or different from what you ordered: take a photo and get in touch within 24 hours of delivery at info@salumeriatoscana.shop — we'll arrange a full refund or replacement straight away. No forms, no back and forth.

📧 info@salumeriatoscana.shop
📞 +39 339 879 4945

🏆 Why Salumeria Toscana — 5 Things You'll Only Find Here

1 — Direct artisan sourcing
We work exclusively with personally selected Tuscan producers. No middlemen, no third-party platforms — the product leaves Florence and arrives directly at your door.

2 — No artificial preservatives
The vast majority of our cured meats and cheeses are made without artificial preservatives. You'll always find it stated in the product description — not a marketing claim, it's simply the recipe.

3 — Certified origin
Chianina IGP, Pecorino Toscano DOP, Finocchiona IGP, Lardo di Colonnata IGP: European certifications are not decorative labels. They are guarantees of breed, geographical origin and production method, independently verified by third-party bodies.

4 — Over 3,000 satisfied customers
Average rating 4.85/5 from hundreds of verified reviews. Read them directly on the product page — unfiltered and unedited.

5 — Real people, real support
No chatbot. Whether you have a question before ordering, a concern after delivery, or you'd like a bespoke gift hamper — write or ring us. We get back to you.

🔒 Secure Payment

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⭐ What Our Customers Say

"I've never eaten anything quite like it. Ordered a second time — even better than the first." — Rainer S.

"Fast delivery, everything arrived in perfect condition. Absolutely outstanding." — J.H.

"Excellent mixture of meat from overlooked parts of the carcass. Goes brilliantly with salads and cold cuts." — Richard D.