The Camelia organic fermentino has a nice camembert-like look and feel with a bloomy rind and it has quite a strong mushroomy, cheesy taste, which we assume is primarily due to this same rind.
This cheese is a variety of fermentino: a 100% plant-based fermentation of nuts, oil seeds, water, salt and in certain cases herbs and spices. Notable about fermentino is that it was developed as a healthy alternative, one that has relatively few ingredients, natural fermentation, little processing and no preservatives. Instead of fast & intensive processing, natural fermentation and time is applied to produce this variety of aged fermentino, as the characteristic bloomy rind takes 12 days to flower.
While the producer does not see fermentino as a type of vegan cheese, but rather a separate food category.1 In our definition a variety like the Camelia makes a great vegan cheese.
Our tasting notes are similar to what has been imaginatively described on the product page by the producer: “Its scents will make your imagination take off, bringing you to an autumn forest among hints of white truffle, porcini mushrooms, and final notes reminiscent of hay and undergrowth.” 2 We think it would pair well with something sweet like figs, honey, apple, etc. Check out the website of Casa del Fermentino for recipes with fermentino.
