Everyone has something more they can learn about the world of cheese, whether it is the history, flavors, types, origins, or something else. Some people don’t mind simply enjoying the flavors of the food without learning more about them while others prefer to know all they can. Whether you are looking to learn about cheese for fun or to work in a cheese store, here are some easy ways that you can find out more about this delicious food.
Read About It
The most obvious way to learn about cheese is to read about it. You can go to your local library and check out a book or take advantage of the internet. In this modern age, many websites aim to teach people everything they can about cheese. You will find online dictionaries explaining terms, articles about the various types of cheese, information on their history, and more. There are even many cheese shops which have educational sections (however short) on their websites.
Taste Everything
Most experts agree that the best way to learn about cheese is to taste everything you can. This will help you put flavors, textures, and smells with the words you have read and show you what the information actually means. When tasting cheese, try to compare one with another. Buy several cheeses that have one feature in common, such as age, milk type, style, or country of origin and then take your time tasting the cheese. Remember to look, touch, and smell before tasting and keep track of your impressions in a notebook so you can remember them for later.
Take A Class
Believe it or not, there are plenty of cheese classes available around the country. You will find some online and some in-person. If you have the chance, always take an in-person class as this will give you the chance to see, smell, and taste the cheese as you learn about it. Be sure to opt for a class from an expert for the biggest gain in knowledge, although even non-certified cheese experts can teach you something new.
Talk To Experts
If you can’t find a class near you or simply don’t have the money to spend on taking one, then you aren’t out of luck. Simply visit your local cheese store and talk to one of the cheesemongers or other cheese experts on staff. They will be more than willing to share their knowledge and love for cheese; you will just have to buy a little bit of cheese. Just be sure not to take advantage of them. You may even be able to find an online chat with a cheese expert who is willing to tell you little known facts or tricks.
Sunday, December 27, 2015
Saturday, December 26, 2015
Skip Red Wine With Triple Creme Cheese
Triple creme cheeses are decadent and somewhat of a luxury for many people. That means that when you get your hands on this cheese, you want to sit down with a nice glass of wine and take the time to enjoy it. If you have red wine on hand, it may seem obvious to simply go with that wine, but in reality, you will be setting yourself up for an unpleasant experience.
Why You Should Keep Them Separate
The thing to remember is that red wines tend to be incredibly flavorful and they contain tannins which will ruin the cream flavor. That means that if you drink a red wine with your triple creme cheese, you won’t get the full cheese experience. Instead, you want these cheeses to go with a complementary flavor that won’t overpower them.
What To Pair With Triple Creme Cheese
When in doubt, you can always ask a cheesemonger or someone at the specialty shop you bought your triple creme cheese from for pairing tips. There are also some options that work very well, depending on the specific cheese. Delice de Bourgogne, for example, is a French cheese made with pasteurized cow milk. This triple creme cheese is rich, but has a thin and pungent rind for mushroom and strawberry aromas. Instead of drowning out the flavors with a red wine (even one from the same region), opt for white wine or a bubbly drink like champagne instead.
Another type of triple creme cheese would be La Tur, which is made from pasteurized cow, goat, and sheep milk. Unlike Delice de Bourgogne, it has full and rich flavors, so pairing ideas for this cheese can work with a separate group of choices. If you try to pair it with a red wine, you will remove all the richness of the cheese. Instead try something like sparkling Asti Spumante, which is from the same region.
What To Pair With Red Wine
So if you shouldn’t pair triple creme cheeses with red wine, you may be wondering what you can eat with these drinks. There are actually many options, such as soft cheese with washed rinds, including Epoisses. Because they are washed in brine or alcohol during aging, they are better able to handle even strongly flavored wine. Also consider mixed milk or aged sheep cheeses as either will have a more intense flavor to counter the strength of the wine.
Why You Should Keep Them Separate
The thing to remember is that red wines tend to be incredibly flavorful and they contain tannins which will ruin the cream flavor. That means that if you drink a red wine with your triple creme cheese, you won’t get the full cheese experience. Instead, you want these cheeses to go with a complementary flavor that won’t overpower them.
What To Pair With Triple Creme Cheese
When in doubt, you can always ask a cheesemonger or someone at the specialty shop you bought your triple creme cheese from for pairing tips. There are also some options that work very well, depending on the specific cheese. Delice de Bourgogne, for example, is a French cheese made with pasteurized cow milk. This triple creme cheese is rich, but has a thin and pungent rind for mushroom and strawberry aromas. Instead of drowning out the flavors with a red wine (even one from the same region), opt for white wine or a bubbly drink like champagne instead.
Another type of triple creme cheese would be La Tur, which is made from pasteurized cow, goat, and sheep milk. Unlike Delice de Bourgogne, it has full and rich flavors, so pairing ideas for this cheese can work with a separate group of choices. If you try to pair it with a red wine, you will remove all the richness of the cheese. Instead try something like sparkling Asti Spumante, which is from the same region.
What To Pair With Red Wine
So if you shouldn’t pair triple creme cheeses with red wine, you may be wondering what you can eat with these drinks. There are actually many options, such as soft cheese with washed rinds, including Epoisses. Because they are washed in brine or alcohol during aging, they are better able to handle even strongly flavored wine. Also consider mixed milk or aged sheep cheeses as either will have a more intense flavor to counter the strength of the wine.
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
The Best Cheese Festivals From Around The World
It should come as no surprise that you can find cheese festivals in all corners of the globe. Since its discovery centuries ago, cheese has become one of the most popular foods, largely due to its flavor and versatility. Because of cheese’s popularity, there are many festivals dedicated solely to this food. While many occur in the United States, others require traveling, but are well worth the trip for any dedicated cheese aficionado.
The Festival Of Cheese
The American Cheese Society is one of the biggest names in the world of cheese and each year they host the ACS Annual Conference. This event is part conference, part festival and the crowd is a mix of those who appreciate cheese and cheesemakers. If you attend, you even get the chance to sample some cheeses entered in the rigorous competition.
Vermont Cheesemaker’s Festival
Per capita, Vermont is the state that produces the most cheese, making it the perfect location for one of the best cheese festivals. It is located at Shelburne Farms, a historic site by Lake Champlain, every July and includes cooking demonstrations, tastings, and seminars.
Great Wisconsin Cheese Festival
The other big name in cheese in the United States is the state of Wisconsin which hosts a family friendly cheese festival every June in Little Chute. The festival lasts three days and features cheese curd-eating contests, cheesecake contests, cheese carving demonstrations, tastings, music, and more. As with any Wisconsin festival, there is also a carnival for kids to enjoy.
Great British Cheese Festival
Every year, the Great British Cheese Festival features more than 400 different cheeses made from all types of milk, including water buffalo, sheep, goat, and cow. You will also find plenty of beverages to pick from, including perry (a fermented pear drink), cider, beer, and artisan wine. This event is in a different location each year, but always occurs in late September.
Bra Cheese Festival
If you have your mind set on going to a traditional cheese festival full of history and nostalgia, then head to Turin within Piedmont, Italy for the Bra Cheese Festival. This event takes place every other September and attendees include cheese lovers and experts from around the world. You will find workshops, tastings, special dinners, a wine bar with DIY cheese plates, a cheese market, and a pizza piazza. Because of its location, the Bra Cheese Festival includes very rare artisanal cheeses you won’t find anywhere else as well as 700 different wines.
The Festival Of Cheese
The American Cheese Society is one of the biggest names in the world of cheese and each year they host the ACS Annual Conference. This event is part conference, part festival and the crowd is a mix of those who appreciate cheese and cheesemakers. If you attend, you even get the chance to sample some cheeses entered in the rigorous competition.
Vermont Cheesemaker’s Festival
Per capita, Vermont is the state that produces the most cheese, making it the perfect location for one of the best cheese festivals. It is located at Shelburne Farms, a historic site by Lake Champlain, every July and includes cooking demonstrations, tastings, and seminars.
Great Wisconsin Cheese Festival
The other big name in cheese in the United States is the state of Wisconsin which hosts a family friendly cheese festival every June in Little Chute. The festival lasts three days and features cheese curd-eating contests, cheesecake contests, cheese carving demonstrations, tastings, music, and more. As with any Wisconsin festival, there is also a carnival for kids to enjoy.
Great British Cheese Festival
Every year, the Great British Cheese Festival features more than 400 different cheeses made from all types of milk, including water buffalo, sheep, goat, and cow. You will also find plenty of beverages to pick from, including perry (a fermented pear drink), cider, beer, and artisan wine. This event is in a different location each year, but always occurs in late September.
Bra Cheese Festival
If you have your mind set on going to a traditional cheese festival full of history and nostalgia, then head to Turin within Piedmont, Italy for the Bra Cheese Festival. This event takes place every other September and attendees include cheese lovers and experts from around the world. You will find workshops, tastings, special dinners, a wine bar with DIY cheese plates, a cheese market, and a pizza piazza. Because of its location, the Bra Cheese Festival includes very rare artisanal cheeses you won’t find anywhere else as well as 700 different wines.
Monday, December 21, 2015
Easy Cheesy Lunches To Take To Work
Coming up with creative lunches to take to work is a big challenge for most adults. Next time you find yourself dreading eating another peanut butter and jelly sandwich, consider making a cheese lunch instead. It is normal to be hesitant about taking cheese for lunch, especially if you don’t have a fridge at work, but most types of cheese will be fine if they are out for a few hours. Here are some great ideas to get you started.
Sandwiches And Wraps
The most obvious cheesy lunch for work would be a sandwich. For many people, even doing something as simple as making a wrap instead of a sandwich can liven up their week. The combinations for cheese are endless, but most people choose to pair it with some sort of deli meat and possibly some vegetables. If you’re looking for something new, try cream cheese, cheddar, and deli roast beef. Or combine blue cheese, salami, and olives on ciabatta.
Grilled Cheese
Most people wouldn’t expect it, but you can actually take a grilled cheese sandwich to work if you want. If you aren’t happy with a cold sandwich, then maybe bringing some soup along in a thermos will help as you’ll have something to dip it in. To keep your grilled cheese from becoming all soggy, just make sure it is completely cool before you pack it. Put boiling water in the thermos before the soup to preheat it a bit and keep it warm longer.
Cheese Plate
When you are in the mood for cheese and don’t have much time to spare, simply pack everything you need to have a cheese plate at work. Slice up a bit of your two or three favorite cheese and fill a small container with crackers. Add sliced meats, nuts, and dried fruits for more variety.
Pizza
It may seem simple, but there is no problem with taking leftover pizza to work. Many people enjoy eating it cold and it won’t have a problem lasting until your lunch hour. If you have a microwave, you can even reheat it just like you would at home. You can even make your own version of a packaged child’s lunch where you construct your own pizza. Get some bread of some sort and bring a bit of sauce and shredded cheese (plus pepperoni if you want) to work. In reality, pizza is just one of many leftover cheesy dishes you can easily take to work for lunch, especially if you have a microwave. Something like lasagna or baked macaroni and cheese will reheat just as well in your work microwave as the one at home.
Sandwiches And Wraps
The most obvious cheesy lunch for work would be a sandwich. For many people, even doing something as simple as making a wrap instead of a sandwich can liven up their week. The combinations for cheese are endless, but most people choose to pair it with some sort of deli meat and possibly some vegetables. If you’re looking for something new, try cream cheese, cheddar, and deli roast beef. Or combine blue cheese, salami, and olives on ciabatta.
Grilled Cheese
Most people wouldn’t expect it, but you can actually take a grilled cheese sandwich to work if you want. If you aren’t happy with a cold sandwich, then maybe bringing some soup along in a thermos will help as you’ll have something to dip it in. To keep your grilled cheese from becoming all soggy, just make sure it is completely cool before you pack it. Put boiling water in the thermos before the soup to preheat it a bit and keep it warm longer.
Cheese Plate
When you are in the mood for cheese and don’t have much time to spare, simply pack everything you need to have a cheese plate at work. Slice up a bit of your two or three favorite cheese and fill a small container with crackers. Add sliced meats, nuts, and dried fruits for more variety.
Pizza
It may seem simple, but there is no problem with taking leftover pizza to work. Many people enjoy eating it cold and it won’t have a problem lasting until your lunch hour. If you have a microwave, you can even reheat it just like you would at home. You can even make your own version of a packaged child’s lunch where you construct your own pizza. Get some bread of some sort and bring a bit of sauce and shredded cheese (plus pepperoni if you want) to work. In reality, pizza is just one of many leftover cheesy dishes you can easily take to work for lunch, especially if you have a microwave. Something like lasagna or baked macaroni and cheese will reheat just as well in your work microwave as the one at home.
Saturday, December 19, 2015
The History Of Fondue
There are several types of fondues, including cheese and chocolate fondue. While most people realize that cheese fondue originated in Switzerland, not everyone knows the details concerning the early days of this delicious and versatile dish. Next time you sit down with a batch of fondue, consider how far it has come in a few centuries.
Early History
Experts are fairly certain that fondue was first invented during the 18th century in Switzerland. The Swiss saw fondue as the perfect way to use older cheese and bread, providing food for people across the country who didn’t necessarily have access to fresh items during the winter. Villagers quickly discovered that heating old cheese with herbs, garlic, and wine would make a tasty combination. When they dipped old, stale bread inside, it would soften up and become flavorful. Fondue quickly became a Swiss tradition during the winter months, particularly among the poorer communities.
Traditional Mixture
In the early days of fondue, it was made using Gruyere and/or Emmental cheeses. The cheese was then melted with a bit of wine inside a communal pot. Some people would also add cherry brandy, other alcohol, or spices.
Tips For Cooking Fondue
If you plan on taking advantage of the easy and delicious tradition of fondue, then you will want to keep a few things in mind. Although adding alcohol may seem odd and unnecessary, this actually helps lower the boiling point, meaning that the cheese won’t curdle while cooking. If you don’t want to use wine, you can also try champagne, apple juice, or sparkling cider. Whenever you are heating up fondue, you still want to keep an eye on it, however, so it doesn’t start to boil and to prevent a rubbery texture, heat up the mixture slowly.
It may seem silly to spend a lot of money on cheese that you will be melting, but always opt for high quality cheese when making fondue. This will give you a uniform melt and consistency and guarantee freshness as well as a more delicious result. To add more flavor, select more than one cheese to include or add some extra flavorings. Good options include mustard, tomato paste, sauteed minced onions, roasted garlic, and fresh herbs. Fondue is always best fresh, but if you end up with leftovers, you can reuse it. You’ll have to get creative, however, and refrigerate it. This will mean it solidifies a bit, so try chopping it up and using it to top vegetables, potatoes, or eggs.
Early History
Experts are fairly certain that fondue was first invented during the 18th century in Switzerland. The Swiss saw fondue as the perfect way to use older cheese and bread, providing food for people across the country who didn’t necessarily have access to fresh items during the winter. Villagers quickly discovered that heating old cheese with herbs, garlic, and wine would make a tasty combination. When they dipped old, stale bread inside, it would soften up and become flavorful. Fondue quickly became a Swiss tradition during the winter months, particularly among the poorer communities.
Traditional Mixture
In the early days of fondue, it was made using Gruyere and/or Emmental cheeses. The cheese was then melted with a bit of wine inside a communal pot. Some people would also add cherry brandy, other alcohol, or spices.
Tips For Cooking Fondue
If you plan on taking advantage of the easy and delicious tradition of fondue, then you will want to keep a few things in mind. Although adding alcohol may seem odd and unnecessary, this actually helps lower the boiling point, meaning that the cheese won’t curdle while cooking. If you don’t want to use wine, you can also try champagne, apple juice, or sparkling cider. Whenever you are heating up fondue, you still want to keep an eye on it, however, so it doesn’t start to boil and to prevent a rubbery texture, heat up the mixture slowly.
It may seem silly to spend a lot of money on cheese that you will be melting, but always opt for high quality cheese when making fondue. This will give you a uniform melt and consistency and guarantee freshness as well as a more delicious result. To add more flavor, select more than one cheese to include or add some extra flavorings. Good options include mustard, tomato paste, sauteed minced onions, roasted garlic, and fresh herbs. Fondue is always best fresh, but if you end up with leftovers, you can reuse it. You’ll have to get creative, however, and refrigerate it. This will mean it solidifies a bit, so try chopping it up and using it to top vegetables, potatoes, or eggs.
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