When it comes to cheese, there are a lot of different options that are out there. But, if you are looking to give cheese as a holiday gift, as happens with a lot of gift packs during the seasons, what cheese is most appreciated? Is there one cheese that you should send people over the other? Let’s take a look at the cheeses that can be given out as holiday gifts and see what the different choices are, from there, maybe you will able to make a great decision on what you send in your next gift basket.
Cheese Curds
Squeaky cheese or cheese curds are a great idea for a holiday gift because they are so different. Cheese curds can be expensive, and people generally really enjoy the flavor. Plus, this is some of the freshest cheese that you can get out there. You also can get all kinds of great flavored cheese curds that your friends and family may want to enjoy. A cheese curd package with a cheese curd batter package is great for people that love fried cheese curds and will allow them to make the cheese curds in the comfort of their own homes.
Cheddar Cheese
When it comes to gift baskets and cheese, cheddar cheese is one that you can’t go wrong with. With cheddar cheese, there are so many different options. What may be a great idea for a holiday gift is to send the person that you are sending a gift to a sampler of cheddar cheese. Let them try out the different kinds and decide for themselves what they like the best. Send them samples like sharp cheddar, extra sharp, super sharp cheddar, pepper cheddar, horseradish cheddar, and much more. Include some great crackers and you’ll have a great gift package for them that will give them something to enjoy.
Smoked Cheeses
Smoked cheeses are always a great gift basket idea. For a lot of people smoked cheese isn’t something that they get to eat every day, and a lot of people haven’t tried it. There are all kinds of different options for smoked cheese. You can have smoked Gouda, smoked Cheddar, smoked Mozzarella, smoked Provolone, and the list goes on and on. These cheeses look great because they have a great golden brown outside to them. They also taste great because they have been smoked so they are sweeter. People really enjoy these and they are great option when you are looking for cheese gifts.
-Written by Viktoria Carella
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Holiday Cheese Gifts
When it comes to holiday cheese gifts, they are all kinds of options that people send out. But, food gifts around the holidays are very important, and generally when there is food involved in a gift basket, there is cheese involved. The great thing with holiday gift baskets that have things like cheese in them is that they are something that doesn’t have to be refrigerated immediately, so they can sit in their packaging for awhile while they are in transit or on display. This will make them a great option for gift giving when food is involved because they won’t go bad or go stale.
Cheese Curds Gift Baskets
The cheese curds are the one exception to the gift baskets that can sit, cheese curds need to be used quickly and generally need to be refrigerated. But, there are ways to make great gift baskets that people will really enjoy. With a cheese curds gift basket, look into the variety of cheese curds that are out there and get a flavor or a few flavors that you think the party that will be receiving the gift basket will enjoy. Pair this with a great battering option like a beer batter or a cornmeal batter, and you will have a great gift that a person can really enjoy.
Cheddar Cheese Gift Baskets
Hands down, the most popular cheese that you will find in gift baskets is the cheddar. Mostly, it is because there are so many varieties of cheddar, but also it is because it is easily stored and kept good. The other thing is, there are a lot of different things that go well with cheddar cheese. You can have a fruit basket and include cheddar cheese. Or, you can do a gift basket with crackers and sausage. There are a lot of great gift baskets that you can put together.
Swiss Cheese Gift Baskets
The great thing with Swiss cheese is that it is extremely versatile. You can make some great gift baskets with Swiss cheese and crackers or you can make a great gift basket with something else that ties to it. Make someone a French onion soup gift basket and include the Swiss cheese and croutons that they need to make a great French onion soup. Or, make a fondue gift basket set with all kinds of great things that they can put in their fondue. There are all kinds of fun ideas for gift baskets with Swiss cheese.
Written By: Viktoria Carella
Cheese Curds Gift Baskets
The cheese curds are the one exception to the gift baskets that can sit, cheese curds need to be used quickly and generally need to be refrigerated. But, there are ways to make great gift baskets that people will really enjoy. With a cheese curds gift basket, look into the variety of cheese curds that are out there and get a flavor or a few flavors that you think the party that will be receiving the gift basket will enjoy. Pair this with a great battering option like a beer batter or a cornmeal batter, and you will have a great gift that a person can really enjoy.
Cheddar Cheese Gift Baskets
Hands down, the most popular cheese that you will find in gift baskets is the cheddar. Mostly, it is because there are so many varieties of cheddar, but also it is because it is easily stored and kept good. The other thing is, there are a lot of different things that go well with cheddar cheese. You can have a fruit basket and include cheddar cheese. Or, you can do a gift basket with crackers and sausage. There are a lot of great gift baskets that you can put together.
Swiss Cheese Gift Baskets
The great thing with Swiss cheese is that it is extremely versatile. You can make some great gift baskets with Swiss cheese and crackers or you can make a great gift basket with something else that ties to it. Make someone a French onion soup gift basket and include the Swiss cheese and croutons that they need to make a great French onion soup. Or, make a fondue gift basket set with all kinds of great things that they can put in their fondue. There are all kinds of fun ideas for gift baskets with Swiss cheese.
Written By: Viktoria Carella
Friday, December 3, 2010
Why do Cheese and Wine go Together?
We’ve all heard the joke, do you want some cheese with that wine. But, really, why do cheese and wine go together so well? Either we’re slicing up cheese to go with our glass ourselves or we’re ordering a cheese and wine sampler at the restaurant. There are a lot of different ways that we can eat cheese and drink a great glass of wine. What is it about that glass of wine that makes cheese taste so good and why do we always want that slice of cheese to go with that glass? Let’s explore why cheese and wine go together so well.
Pairing Cheese and Wine
Wine and cheese together is basically like a match made in heaven. A lot of the experience really comes from the pleasure that they both bring us. The wine tastes great and warms us from the inside out and the creamy cheese tastes delicious and fills us up. There are literally tons of different kinds of cheese and wine that we can pair together, so your choices are basically unlimited. One of the main reasons they go together is because of tannin, which is a chalky, dry taste that we experience when we drink wine. There is a lot of tannin in red wine, which is where we generally pair our cheese with, so just like putting milk in coffee to cut the acidic flavors, we use cheese in the same way.
What Wines and What Cheeses go Together?
The goal of pairing up wine and cheese is so that they really complement each other. In general, you will find that white wines will pair up best with the soft cheeses that have the stronger flavors, while your red wines will match better with the hard cheeses that have a milder flavor. If you are going to use fruity or sweet wines, like champagne or an ice wine, you will be able to pair them with a lot more cheeses. The more the cheese smells, the sweeter that it should be as a rule of thumb.
Examples of Cheese and Wine to Pair Together
-Written by Viktoria Carella
Pairing Cheese and Wine
Wine and cheese together is basically like a match made in heaven. A lot of the experience really comes from the pleasure that they both bring us. The wine tastes great and warms us from the inside out and the creamy cheese tastes delicious and fills us up. There are literally tons of different kinds of cheese and wine that we can pair together, so your choices are basically unlimited. One of the main reasons they go together is because of tannin, which is a chalky, dry taste that we experience when we drink wine. There is a lot of tannin in red wine, which is where we generally pair our cheese with, so just like putting milk in coffee to cut the acidic flavors, we use cheese in the same way.
What Wines and What Cheeses go Together?
The goal of pairing up wine and cheese is so that they really complement each other. In general, you will find that white wines will pair up best with the soft cheeses that have the stronger flavors, while your red wines will match better with the hard cheeses that have a milder flavor. If you are going to use fruity or sweet wines, like champagne or an ice wine, you will be able to pair them with a lot more cheeses. The more the cheese smells, the sweeter that it should be as a rule of thumb.
Examples of Cheese and Wine to Pair Together
- Champagne with Brie
- Chardonnay with Mild Cheddar or Provolone
- Riesling with Gouda
- Sauvignon Blanc with Goat cheese
- Cabernet Sauvignon with Sharp Cheddar or Blue Cheese
- Port with Gorgonzola
- Shiraz with Sharp Cheddar
-Written by Viktoria Carella
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Why do Cheese Curds Squeak?
Food that squeaks is basically somewhat of a phenomenon, and sometimes it can be just plain freaky. Cheese curds are one of those foods that are notorious for squeaking, but what is it that causes them to squeak? Understanding the phenomenon of the squeaking cheese curds may help relieve any apprehension that you have about eating cheese curds, and will help you find a peace as to why they squeak and what it comes from.
Understanding Cheese Curds
To better understand why cheese curds squeak, it may be important to first understand what a cheese curd is and how it is made. Cheese curds are just part of the process of making a full block of Cheddar cheese. With a cheese curd, rennet, which is a coagulant, is added to whole milk. When that happens, the curds start to form and are cut apart with a stainless steel knife. They are then heated up so that the curd forms the consistency that it needs to be at and they are cut apart again. When the curd reaches a certain pH level, they are ready to go and can be eaten.
Where the Squeak Comes From
The first time you eat a cheese curd, it’s surprising because it squeaks, and it throws a lot of people off. There are even fewer people that understand that a cheese curd squeaks because most of the people that eat cheese curds live in a generally localized area of the upper Midwest of the United States. As the cheese coagulates, it creates the curd, which can be separated before the cheese is pressed into the blocks. Because the curds come right out before the cheese is actually pressed down and ages, it squeaks basically because it is so new, this is kind of like a new pair of sneakers. The thing with cheese curds is that they have to be eaten quickly because they are generally very fresh cheese, so don’t let them sit for long.
What to do with Squeaky Cheese
If you are a fan of cheese curds, there are many great ways that you can eat it. Most people know cheese curds for their fried variety, you can generally pick that up at a restaurant or you can make them yourself with a little bit of breadcrumbs and some oil. Otherwise, you can at least eat it just as is or broil it up until it is golden on each side. Either way, enjoy your squeaky cheese curds and understand where they come from.
-Written By Viktoria Carella
Understanding Cheese Curds
To better understand why cheese curds squeak, it may be important to first understand what a cheese curd is and how it is made. Cheese curds are just part of the process of making a full block of Cheddar cheese. With a cheese curd, rennet, which is a coagulant, is added to whole milk. When that happens, the curds start to form and are cut apart with a stainless steel knife. They are then heated up so that the curd forms the consistency that it needs to be at and they are cut apart again. When the curd reaches a certain pH level, they are ready to go and can be eaten.
Where the Squeak Comes From
The first time you eat a cheese curd, it’s surprising because it squeaks, and it throws a lot of people off. There are even fewer people that understand that a cheese curd squeaks because most of the people that eat cheese curds live in a generally localized area of the upper Midwest of the United States. As the cheese coagulates, it creates the curd, which can be separated before the cheese is pressed into the blocks. Because the curds come right out before the cheese is actually pressed down and ages, it squeaks basically because it is so new, this is kind of like a new pair of sneakers. The thing with cheese curds is that they have to be eaten quickly because they are generally very fresh cheese, so don’t let them sit for long.
What to do with Squeaky Cheese
If you are a fan of cheese curds, there are many great ways that you can eat it. Most people know cheese curds for their fried variety, you can generally pick that up at a restaurant or you can make them yourself with a little bit of breadcrumbs and some oil. Otherwise, you can at least eat it just as is or broil it up until it is golden on each side. Either way, enjoy your squeaky cheese curds and understand where they come from.
-Written By Viktoria Carella
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Why Does Milk Need to be Tested for Antibiotics When Making Cheese?
The milk that we drink is different from the milk that we use to make our cheese with. There are certain things in milk which cheese needs to include, so if you are wondering why milk needs to be tested for antibiotics before making cheese, there are reasons. There are many reasons why milk goes through a rigorous testing procedure before it can be used for cheese. Let’s take a look at why milk needs to be tested for antibiotics before it is made into cheese.
What Milk is Used?
The most important thing to understand is what milk is used to make cheese. Generally, for cheese, you need whole milk. You need all of the ingredients that are in the whole milk to make the best cheese and you also need the full fat, although today, some cheese are made with part skim milks. There are many different types of milk that are used from all kinds of different animals. There is cow milk, goat milk, sheep milk, and even water buffalo milk. Each one gives the cheese a unique flavor and a unique texture that is caused by that particular animal and the milk that they produce.
Why Milk is Tested
Once the milk that is being used for the cheese has been determined, it has to be tested. One of the biggest things is that before the milk is added to anything, it must be sterilized, and all instruments used must be sterilized also. There should be no outside bacteria entering the cheese, you don’t want to risk contaminating the milk. When the items have been sterilized, there is also a starter bacteria that is added to the milk, and that is what actually ends up turning the milk sugars into lactic acid and helps to age the cheeses. These bacteria included streptococci and the lactobacilli families. If there was an antibiotic in the milk, it would kill it off and that would ruin the chances of making a good batch of cheese.
Knowing what antibiotics, if any, are in the milk that is being used for cheese is crucial. There are all kinds of antibiotics that will actually ruin the cheese making process and prevent people from getting the final product that they are looking for. Understanding this can help avoid problems that may arise when making cheese. At Golden Age Cheese all of our milk is tested for the use of antibiotics and before we make cheese, we make sure it doesn't contain any.
-Written by Viktoria Carella
What Milk is Used?
The most important thing to understand is what milk is used to make cheese. Generally, for cheese, you need whole milk. You need all of the ingredients that are in the whole milk to make the best cheese and you also need the full fat, although today, some cheese are made with part skim milks. There are many different types of milk that are used from all kinds of different animals. There is cow milk, goat milk, sheep milk, and even water buffalo milk. Each one gives the cheese a unique flavor and a unique texture that is caused by that particular animal and the milk that they produce.
Why Milk is Tested
Once the milk that is being used for the cheese has been determined, it has to be tested. One of the biggest things is that before the milk is added to anything, it must be sterilized, and all instruments used must be sterilized also. There should be no outside bacteria entering the cheese, you don’t want to risk contaminating the milk. When the items have been sterilized, there is also a starter bacteria that is added to the milk, and that is what actually ends up turning the milk sugars into lactic acid and helps to age the cheeses. These bacteria included streptococci and the lactobacilli families. If there was an antibiotic in the milk, it would kill it off and that would ruin the chances of making a good batch of cheese.
Knowing what antibiotics, if any, are in the milk that is being used for cheese is crucial. There are all kinds of antibiotics that will actually ruin the cheese making process and prevent people from getting the final product that they are looking for. Understanding this can help avoid problems that may arise when making cheese. At Golden Age Cheese all of our milk is tested for the use of antibiotics and before we make cheese, we make sure it doesn't contain any.
-Written by Viktoria Carella
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