Bra

Bra is a fat or semi-fat pressed cow's milk cheese produced in the Province of Cuneo and the municipality of Villafranca Piemonte. It exists in two principal varieties, Bra Tenero and Bra Duro, distinguished by rind character, body colour, and flavour profile. Both varieties may additionally carry the suffix 'd'Alpeggio' when produced and matured in specified mountainous municipalities within the defined area.

About this designation

Registered as a PDO under file number PDO-IT-0002, with EU protection dating from 2 July 1996, Bra is produced under the oversight of the Consorzio Tutela Formaggio Bra DOP and identified in the eAmbrosia register under EUGI00000012984. The production and maturation area covers the entire Province of Cuneo and the municipality of Villafranca Piemonte in the Province of Turin. The specification requires that holdings rearing the dairy animals be located within this defined area, and that milk be produced, processed, and matured there. The cheese is made from cow's milk, to which sheep or goat milk may be added up to a maximum of 20 %. For Bra Duro and Bra d'Alpeggio, semi-skimmed milk may be used; for Bra Tenero, whole milk is used. The liquid rennet specified is calf rennet. More than 50 % by weight of the dairy animals' basic fodder must originate from the production areas. The finished cheese is cylindrical with flat sides, a diameter of 30–40 cm, a slightly convex heel of 6–10 cm, and a weight of 6 to 9 kg, measured after the minimum maturation period. Fat content in dry matter must be a minimum of 32 %. The rind of both varieties is declared non-edible; the Bra Duro rind may be treated with edible oils. After moulding, ring-shaped stamps apply an origin mark bearing the stylised letter B, the variety designation, and the producer's number. A conformity paper label, 20–28 cm in diameter, on a straw-yellow halftone background for standard production or a green halftone background for Bra d'Alpeggio, must be affixed before the cheese may be marketed under the protected designation.

Source: The register document this entry was written from · retrieved August 26, 2026

Distinctive facts

• Registered as a PDO on 2 July 1996 under file number PDO-IT-0002, eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000012984.
• Sheep or goat milk may be added to the cow's milk base, but the specification permits no more than 20 % by weight.
• More than 50 % by weight of the dairy animals' basic fodder must come from the defined production areas.
• The conformity label is straw-yellow for standard production and green for Bra d'Alpeggio; the product may not be marketed under the protected name without this marking.

Tasting notes

Piedmontese cow's milk cheese from Cuneo area in two styles. Bra Tenero (fresh, 45 days): pale yellow, soft yielding texture, mild lactic flavor with grassy notes. Bra Duro (aged 6+ months): straw-yellow firmer paste, intense piquant savory flavor with grassy bite.

HoReCa use

Bra Duro may be sold in pre-packaged grated form; the specification notes its use in salads and baked dishes.

Packaging

• wheel-full-6-9kg
• wheel-half-3-4kg
• wedge-vacuum-500g
• wedge-vacuum-200g