It takes its name from the famous
Montasio plateau, where cheese has been produced since 1200; the first production techniques were refined at the
abbey of San Gallo di
Moggio Udinese, while the first evidence of the name dates back to the decree of 22 August 1773, when the Council of the city of
Udine imposed on traders the sale at a fixed price of some products, including this cheese, which, as depicted from that document, the price of 19 soldi a pound was imposed. In 1880, a cooperative movement of
dairies was formed to support the production of this cheese. Montasio cheese inspired the creation of
Italian-Canadian friulano to evade a trademark dispute. Commonly produced in the small farm town of Gemona inside the Friuli-Venezio Giulia region for over 200 years and a little hamlet named Campo Lessie. All farmers took their daily cow's milk production to the cheese maker. A tally was kept, and based on how much milk each family brought in, the corresponding number of cheese wheels were delivered. ==Characteristics==