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Imokilly Regato (Irish:Reigeató Uí Mhic Coille[1]) is a cows' milk hardcheese made inMogeely,County Cork,Ireland.
The cheese takes its name fromImokilly, an ancientbarony ofCounty Cork, covering the coastal region fromYoughal toCobh. It is made frompasteurisedcow's milk by the Imokilly Cheese Company, part of theDairygold cooperative, at its Mogeely specialty cheese facility.
The cheese originated when Imokilly Dairy Co-operative merged with Mitchelstown Dairy Co-operative, and they decided to make a “multi-functional cheese” that combined the best of traditional Cork cheesemaking with modern dairy technology. Using historical cheesemaking research, the team revived some old Irishcoagulating methods and developed their ownrennet, and began to produce Imokilly Regato in 1980.[2]
The cheese was grantedProtected Designation of Origin (PDO) status underEuropean Union law in 1999.[3]
Dairygold describes their Imokilly Regato as having "piquant Italian flavour, dry firm texture and a light golden-creamy colour. It is characterised by delicate aromas ofpears,fudge andbutter and has a delicious nutty and creamy taste with a piquant finish." The milk has high levels ofβ-carotene.[4]
