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Let’s Talk Artisanal Cheese

 

Via Umbria offers a unique selection of artisanal cheeses.
Via Umbria offers a unique selection of artisanal cheeses. There’s something for everyone to try!

Welcome to the Via Umbria cheese counter! Do you love cheese? We love cheese, and we’re so excited to be here, providing you with the best in cheese products, classes, and general cheesy knowledge.

There is much more to cheese than the processed and pre-sliced options you can pick up at your local grocery. Artisanal cheeses are made in so many ways, and with different blends of milk, which leads to different textures and a unique taste in each type of cheese.

While we pay homage to Via Umbria’s Italian roots with some amazing Italian cheeses (Taleggio, anyone? Or how about one of our many, beautiful pecorinos?), our goal is to bring you the best cheese that we can find, period. That includes a wonderful variety of products from all over the world – from English Stilton to bloomy rinds from Vermont, Swiss Alpines to gorgeous cheddar from Prince George’s County, Maryland.

At our counters, you can find everything from fresh and soft cheese like mozzarella to firmer options like parmigiano, from washed rinds to blues. We even have unique options like our super popular Peccorino Moliterno al Tartufi (sheep’s milk cheese with truffles!).

Cheese is our passion and we can’t wait to bring that passion to the heart of Georgetown! To learn more, and indulge in our delicious offerings, join our Cheesemongers at our Melt Cheese Party on Wednesday, February 10th, at 7pm. This decadent evening features fountains of fondue and raclette, accompanied by wine and beer pairings. For more information or to book your reservation visit us online or call us at (202) 333-3904.

 

Alice Bergen Phillips
Alice Bergen Phillips

Bringing you the best cheese that we can find Read more

  Welcome to the Via Umbria cheese counter! Do you love cheese? We love cheese, and we're so excited to be here, providing ...

The Basics on Ham

charcuterie-and-cheese
Did you know that Prosciutto is often called “The King of Hams”?

Of all the charcuterie items you’ve ever heard of, ham is the one you’re probably most familiar with, sometimes probably even without even knowing it! In fact, it is possibly the one truly international cured meat, with different styles ranging from the prosciuttos of Italy to the jamons of Spain to the country hams of North America all the way to the Jinhua ham of China (one that is unfortunately forbidden from being imported).

Coming from the hind leg of the hog, ham can be placed in two basic categories: cooked or raw, or as we say in Italian cotto o crudo. But raw is, in this case, a misnomer. These are the cured hams that are arguably the most delicious way to enjoy the ham. Here at Via Umbria, we are proud to carry six different styles of ham. Two imported prosciutto crudos from the towns of Parma and San Daniele in Italy, after which they are named. On top of that, we are excited to introduce an amazing prosciutto crudo made here in Virginia, by a family business that has, and continues, to make Tuscan-style charcuterie in Tuscany: Terra di Siena. Right along with these are two smoked hams, a speck from Alto Adige/Südtirol in the very north of Italy and an aged country ham from southside Virginia. They vary in the woods they are smoked with but both are excellent sliced thin as with any prosciutto. And to round this out, we have a phenomenal prosciutto cotto that would make for an excellent sandwich. This is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to hams, and we are excited to keep on digging deeper in to the world of cured meats.

This is just the beginning. To learn more, and indulge in our delicious deli offerings, join Scott, our Salami Swami, at our Meat & Greet event on Wednesday, February 3rd, at 7pm. Nosh like a Norcino on charcuterie and pork-based dishes, and partake in conversation with fellow food lovers. For more information or to book your reservation visit us online or call us at (202) 333-3904.

 

Scott Weiss
Scott Weiss

Possibly the one truly international cured meat Read more

Of all the charcuterie items you’ve ever heard of, ham is the one you're probably most familiar with, sometimes probably even without even ...

Dairy Daze

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Via Umbria announces the addition of eggs, yogurt, and milk to its specialty market.  In keeping with our business ethos, these high quality dairy products support small production and relationship-based partnerships. These fresh, delicious pantry staples are now available to customers for purchase, and are also used in the food prepared in the kitchen for café, eat-in and carry away dinners.

Georgetown residents can come into Via Umbria for ingredients to put together delicious meals, all in one place.  Pass the two big tables holding fresh farm produce, pass the glass case holding the specialty meats, and then pass the local and imported gourmet cheeses, and on over to the eggs and dairy.

“We are committed to small production, and the finest quality foods that you want to eat and serve people you care about,” said one of the owners, Suzy Menard.

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Whether you’re using the farm fresh eggs from Natures Yolk to make a batch of homemade pasta, (which you may want to mix with some of the Umbrian imported pasta sauces also available), or lightly scrambling and adding a little white truffle, these eggs will get your attention with their vibrant color and creamy taste.

The milk comes from Pennsylvania farm, Trickling Springs, where the milk comes from “cows that get all the sunshine and grass that they want,” which translates into quality and taste for the drinker, and a conscious purchase for the customer.

The yogurt is from Pennsylvania’s Pequea Valley Farms, handcrafted from the milk of grass-fed Jersey cows which produce the richest milk.  This yogurt is completely free of antibiotics and hormones, with a creamy, delicious taste.

So come on in and get your calcium!

For information on the menus, classes and the latest fresh foods, send an email to feedme@viaumbria.

 

Ci Vediamo!

–Via Umbria

Via Umbria announces the addition of eggs, yogurt, and milk to its specialty market.  In keeping with our business ethos, these high ...