The cheese is available in a variety of forms. Tuma, which is thick, salty, and strong in a sweet sort of way. Our Sicilian friends have served this to us and it's very filling; it's understandable how they make a meal out of it.

Some of the fresh ricotta is set aside to harden; heavily salted, after a week it is fit to be used as ricotta salata ("salted ricotta"), a firm cheese to be shredded over pasta.