Pecorino Cardino Vegetable Rennet
- 100% traceable Tuscan supply chain
- Secure online payment
- Refrigerated delivery +2/+4°C
- Shipping to 27 EU countries
- Vacuum-packed
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
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| 🏷️ Name | Cardino |
| 🏭 Producer | Caseificio Nuovo |
| 🥛 Milk | Raw sheep's milk · Italy |
| 🌿 Rennet | Vegetable · thistle flower |
| 🧀 Paste | Soft |
| ⏳ Ageing | 40–60 days |
| ⚖️ Weight | 650 g · Ø 10 cm |
| 🐑 Suitable for | Vegetarians ✅ |
| ❌ Not suitable for | Vegans (contains sheep's milk) · lactose intolerant |
🍽️ 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:
| Order value | Shipping cost |
|---|---|
| Under €50 | €8.90 |
| €50 – €119.99 | €4.90 |
| Over €120 | €3.90 |
🌍 Europe (DE · AT · FR · NL · BE · PL · SE · UK …):
| Order weight | Shipping cost |
|---|---|
| 0 – 5 kg | €19.00 |
| 5 – 10 kg | €26.00 |
| Over 10 kg | €33.00 |
📦 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 does refrigerated shipping work?
Every order travels refrigerated at +2/+4°C, vacuum-sealed and in an insulated box with cooling gel. This way the products arrive fresh and in the best condition, as if just picked up in the shop.
How soon will I receive my order?
Delivery normally takes place within 1-3 working days of shipping, throughout Italy. You receive the tracking number by email to follow your parcel all the way home.
Is there a minimum order or do I need to register?
No: there is no minimum order and no mandatory registration. Add the products to your cart, enter your address and complete the order in a few steps.
How do I store the products when they arrive?
Keep fresh products in the fridge at +2/+4°C and consume them by the date shown on the label. For cured meats and aged cheeses you will find storage instructions in the product description.
Do you also ship abroad?
We ship throughout Italy and to the 27 countries of the European Union, always with refrigerated and insulated packaging that maintains the cold chain until delivery.
Which payment methods can I use?
You can conveniently pay online with credit card, PayPal and the other secure methods available at checkout. All payments are protected and encrypted.
