Mascarpone is a creamy, light, and spreadable Italian cheese. It has a mild, slightly sweet flavor and is used in a wide array of dishes. It’s most frequently whipped and served as part of a dessert — the classic being tiramisu — but it also is used to add richness and texture to savory sauces.

As Old World classics regain popularity, mascarpone is enjoying a renaissance both in traditional desserts and as an adaptable, familiar, comforting addition to new desserts. Its creaminess and subtle flavor make it an easy ingredient to innovate with, and you can expect to find it paired with fruit in pastries as well as being used as a base for dessert or even breakfast parfaits.

Market research firm Datassential reports that 69% of the population knows mascarpone and its awareness is highest among Baby Boomers.

Click through the gallery to learn more about this flavor of the week and see how one restaurant is using mascarpone on its menu.