el tofio fumé

The Tofio production area is the island of Fuerteventura, one of the easternmost of the Canary Islands, off the west coast of Africa.  It is a cheese made from pasteurized goat's milk that has a characteristic smoky smell due to the traditional beech wood chip smoking process (the rind shows a pattern due to the bars used to smoke the cheese).  The firm, smooth paste has a slightly ivory color and has a creamy texture in the mouth.  Lactic and with a slightly acidic tang and salty finish, it is on the milder side of goat cheeses.  Pairs well on a cheese platter with crisp amber beer, aged Whiskey or Gamay.