Trader Joe's makes their own version called Toscano Cheese with Black Pepper and I have to admit for $7.99 a pound, it might give the original Pepato a run for its money. Richer and nuttier with butterscotchy notes. Instead of having an infusion of black peppercorns spread throughout the paste, this version is coated with cracked pepper so you don't have the opportunity to bite into an entire peppercorn while enjoying the cheese -- there's still that certain "je ne sais quoi" of the black pepper but there is also a salty, vegetal quality to this cheese -- the perfect grating cheese over pasta or melted on its own.
Sometimes its nice to change up the norm, right? It's always nice to know what to buy at Trader Joe's and I am here to help!
You are right about the TJ's pepato! I remember living in Tuscany and buying the local varieties (Pienza)....divine! But I have to admit that tasting this variety now, twenty years later, I'm thinking I like this one better!
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