THE TASTE OF HERZEGOVINA IN A PIECE OF CHEESE

In Trebinje, the southernmost city of the Republic of Srpska, where Mediterranean scents mingle with rugged stone hills, cheese is not just food – it is part of the heritage, spirit, and way of life.

PHOTO: Instagram: Grad Trebinje

Among the region’s most recognizable products is torotan – a soft, mildly sour cheese whose unique flavor is shaped by geography and tradition.

Unlike industrial cheeses, torotan is made in households, stored in wooden barrels and clay pots, following recipes passed down through generations.

This cheese is not made to last – it is made to be shared, and its taste remembered.

Its texture is creamy, its flavor refreshing, with a hint of natural acidity.

Torotan is often accompanied by young cheese – fresh, white, and unpretentious, perfect when paired with local olive oil, honey, or cured meats. Together, these cheeses form the authentic gastronomic signature of Trebinje and the wider Herzegovina region.

Behind every piece of these cheeses lies a story – of sunlit pastures, of cows and sheep that roam freely, and of people who don’t rush, and who understand that great cheese takes time – and soul.

Those who have tasted it say that cheese from Trebinje is more than just delicious – it’s a reminder that real treasures are often hidden in the simplest things.