What Qualities Should A Fine Cheese Have?

While many people are familiar with low- or medium-quality cheeses, not everyone has the necessary experience with fine cheese to be able to make an educated decision. Any cheese specialty store, whether it is online or a physical store, will have experts on staff that can help you select the right cheese. Despite this, it still helps to have a good idea of the qualities to look for in a fine cheese ahead of time.

Production Location

Keep in mind that where a cheese is produced will actually affect the way that the fine cheese tastes. Some cheeses, for example, are made in specific caves that are naturally cool. These cheeses tend to have unique coloring and flavor. If you are looking for a specific type of cheese with a particular flavor within it, ask to be sure that the fine cheese was made in the necessary location for the flavor to come across.

Not Pre-Cut

Although there are some exceptions to the rule, a fine cheese should not typically be pre-cut. That is because when a cheese is cut, it will stop aging correctly, and that can affect the flavor of it. Therefore the best cheese retailers will cut the piece of cheese when ordered, with certain exceptions. Hard cheeses, including Parmigiano-Reggiano tend to do fine when pre-cut so even fine cheeses of that variety may already be packaged before you place your order.

Healthy Appearance

Any fine cheese you purchase should look healthy and this should be fairly obvious at a glance. The cheese should be free of major dents or cracks with the rinds intact. The inside of a fine cheese won’t be too dry, bulging, or runny.

Wrapped Correctly

When looking at fine cheese, remember that plastic wrap is generally a poor decision for packaging cheese. Therefore a fine cheese sold by a quality retailer should have the cheese wrapped in waxed, parchment, or cheese paper. Fine cheese can be wrapped in one of those types of paper and then plastic wrap, and this is actually a good sign for moist cheese.

Clear Label

Fine cheese should also include a clear label, either on the cheese itself or its description online (or a nearby sign in a physical store). The label should include all the pertinent information such as the type of cheese, its origins, common uses, price, type of cheese, and more.

About Flavor

When you finally take a bite of your fine cheese, it should have a nice, long flavor. This is the main characteristic that distinguishes fine cheese from standard cheese as fine cheeses tend to focus more on long-lasting flavors as opposed to sharp ones upfront that instantly fade. Additionally, the flavors within the cheese should all be balanced as fine cheeses won’t feel too sharp; instead you should notice a richness and a different flavor with each bite.

What Qualities Should A Fine Cheese Have?

While many people are familiar with low- or medium-quality cheeses, not everyone has the necessary experience with fine cheese to be able to make an educated decision. Any cheese specialty store, whether it is online or a physical store, will have experts on staff that can help you select the right cheese. Despite this, it still helps to have a good idea of the qualities to look for in a fine cheese ahead of time.

Production Location

Keep in mind that where a cheese is produced will actually affect the way that the fine cheese tastes. Some cheeses, for example, are made in specific caves that are naturally cool. These cheeses tend to have unique coloring and flavor. If you are looking for a specific type of cheese with a particular flavor within it, ask to be sure that the fine cheese was made in the necessary location for the flavor to come across.

Not Pre-Cut

Although there are some exceptions to the rule, a fine cheese should not typically be pre-cut. That is because when a cheese is cut, it will stop aging correctly, and that can affect the flavor of it. Therefore the best cheese retailers will cut the piece of cheese when ordered, with certain exceptions. Hard cheeses, including Parmigiano-Reggiano tend to do fine when pre-cut so even fine cheeses of that variety may already be packaged before you place your order.

Healthy Appearance

Any fine cheese you purchase should look healthy and this should be fairly obvious at a glance. The cheese should be free of major dents or cracks with the rinds intact. The inside of a fine cheese won’t be too dry, bulging, or runny.

Wrapped Correctly

When looking at fine cheese, remember that plastic wrap is generally a poor decision for packaging cheese. Therefore a fine cheese sold by a quality retailer should have the cheese wrapped in waxed, parchment, or cheese paper. Fine cheese can be wrapped in one of those types of paper and then plastic wrap, and this is actually a good sign for moist cheese.

Clear Label

Fine cheese should also include a clear label, either on the cheese itself or its description online (or a nearby sign in a physical store). The label should include all the pertinent information such as the type of cheese, its origins, common uses, price, type of cheese, and more.

About Flavor

When you finally take a bite of your fine cheese, it should have a nice, long flavor. This is the main characteristic that distinguishes fine cheese from standard cheese as fine cheeses tend to focus more on long-lasting flavors as opposed to sharp ones upfront that instantly fade. Additionally, the flavors within the cheese should all be balanced as fine cheeses won’t feel too sharp; instead you should notice a richness and a different flavor with each bite.