And the Cheese of the Month Club Winner is....

Congratulations to Sandra O of St. Paul, Minnesota for winning the Golden Age Cheese Cheese of the Month club membership this year. Sandra shared she is very happy to win this package because she has 5 siblings and 6 children, who will enjoy the cheese every month as much as her! We are offering up another drawing, so check out more details HERE.

Can You Be Allergic To Cheese?

Most people enjoy a little cheese here and there, but some people though they may want to, are not able to; they have a cheese allergy. It is important not to confuse lactose intolerance with cheese allergies because they are in fact something completely different. A cheese allergy can usually mean that you are also allergic to dairy products, but that is not always the case. It is also important to know that most allergies do not last past the age of three so an allergist would need to check if in fact what you are suffering from is indeed an allergy.

The Symptoms

If you indeed have a cheese allergy then you will experience symptoms like hives, vomiting, wheezing, cramps, watery eyes, runny nose, diarrhea, itchy skin and others. It is important to find out if the symptoms are from allergies or something else because though it is rare in some cases it can be life threatening. Usually the allergies are to proteins like whey and casein which are found in milk and other dairy products. The body recognizes the proteins as a potential danger so your immune system so the reaction that takes place is what causes the symptoms. The truth is that in most cases it is not real allergies but rather sensitivity to proteins found in it.

Not Lactose Intolerance

People confuse allergies with lactose intolerance and they are completely different conditions. Lactose intolerance is not a problem of the immune system like allergies are. Instead the problem originates in a person’s digestive system and the malfunction it suffers. The stomach does not process lactose (sugar found in milk) correctly. At the same time the small intestine does not produce the lactase enzyme which is needed for the digestion and nutrient absorption. The symptoms of lactose intolerance are also different in that a person who suffers from it will have diarrhea, bloating and excessive amounts of gas. As you can see most of the symptoms in lactose intolerant people are of the gastrointestinal type.

Options

Fortunately there are a few options when you like cheese and you are suffering of allergies. The most obvious would be to go with vegan cheeses because they do not contain animal byproducts and therefore the proteins that you may be allergic to are not in that type of cheese. Some people have been known to have their allergies triggered by most cheeses, but then cheese curds will not have a reaction. That is because they have a lot less lactose than other cheeses. The better option is to look for cheeses which are aged for a longer period of time. If you have lactose intolerance and not allergies then they will be a much better choice.

More information about them can be found at www.goldenagecheese.com. 

Want Some FREE Cheese Samples? Create a Video For Us Using Our Products!

Interested in trying our cheese for free? If you're a professional video blogger or "vlogger" as the tech savvy call it, you're in luck! We will be glad to send you some free cheese samples of your choice, if you can create a short video using our products for recipes, ideas, etc... Please email us at info (at) goldenagecheese.com for more info!

Is There Anyone Who Should Not Eat Cheese?

Cheese is a delicacy we all enjoy as a healthy meal, part of a snack or on its own. With so many different types to choose from, there is a cheese that we all love. Whether its Mozzarella on pizza, Swiss cheese with wine, cheddar in sandwiches or parmesan with pasta, we have made this delicacy part of our everyday meals including in dessert platters. There are different types of cheeses such as hard, soft, tangy, mellow, creamy or ripe. Some such as aged cheddar has more sharpness to its taste than mild cheddar while some are sweet and others are tangy. Cheese is known to have good calcium content but it also gets bad press because of its high fat content.

So is there anyone who should not be eating cheese? Cheese does not have to be avoided in anyone’s diet but it has to be eaten moderately and in some diets in very small quantities. The high saturated fat content is not good for anyone in the long run and can cause problems if you a person continually overindulges. In general, the following groups should  limit eating too much cheese or some types of cheese.

Pregnant Women

Pregnant women are advised to not eat cheese made with raw (unpasteurized) milk. During pregnancy it is best to avoid any food or drink made with raw milk. Raw milk and food can carry disease causing organisms. It is best to avoid soft cheeses such as Feta, Brie, Camembert, Gorgonzola and Roquefort as they are made with raw milk. Pregnant women are encouraged to eat cheese made from pasteurized milk as it is less likely to carry harmful bacteria.

During A Period Of Dieting

Cheese is known to be the cause of weight gain when eaten in large quantities. If you are overweight and are on a diet plan, cheese should be eaten in very small proportions. Although it may be high in calcium, the high fat content of cheese will not benefit or help in losing weight. Cottage cheese is recommended instead as it is low in calories and fat. You can also enjoy Mozzarella in small amounts as it tends to have a lower fat content.

Anyone With A Dairy Allergy

Cheese is composed mainly of milk and anyone with a dairy allergy should try avoiding cheese if they can. If you are not careful, the consequences can be fatal. Although a mild case might present with vomiting, wheezing and nausea, most serious cases will lead to anaphylaxis and if not treated in time this can lead to death.

Lactose Intolerant Individuals

Lactose intolerance happens to be a digestive issue that is relatively common. In the condition, people struggle to digest lactose which is the sugar that is generally in milk and dairy. Some individuals still continue to eat cheese but in moderation and have no problems. Goat cheese is a substitute that is popular as it is low in lactose. Aged cheeses can also be eaten as the longer cheese ages, the less lactose it contains.

What Kind Of Cheese Is the Best For A Gift?

There is something intriguing about cheese. Cheese is great to eat by itself or with any other food item as part of a main meal. It is good for your health as it contains calcium and with so many types available, you could eat a different cheese every day.  However, people have decreased the cheese consumption lately because of its expensive price. This is why cheese is a great delicacy as a gift nowadays. So, why not gift a loved one with a cheese basket for a special occasion? Cheese gift baskets are usually filled with more than one type of cheese along with a range of snacks such as crackers or biscuits. Many retailers have a variety of gift baskets pre- made to order or you have the option of creating your own basket. With so many types of cheese out there, what kind of cheese is the best for a gift? Here are a few you can choose from.

French Cheese

For the French, cheese is a way of life. They enjoy a lot of cheese and most importantly they are deeply connected and proud of the cheese they produce. France is known to produce some of the best cheese in the world and is an essential item in your cheese basket. Brie, Camembert and Roquefort are common French cheeses that are considered to be a delicacy and would be ideal as part of a gift.

Italian Cheeses

When we think of Italian cheeses, Mozzarella and Parmesan is the first thing that comes to mind. Most of us enjoy Mozzarella in our salads while Parmesan adds that extra touch to our pasta dishes. However, Italy is also known for its fine selection of more than 400 different types of cheeses. Commonly found in gift baskets and given as gifts are Parmesan, Asiago and Gorgonzola.

Swiss Cheese

The two most famous Swiss cheese are Emmentel and Gruyére but more than 450 different varieties are produced altogether. The main characteristic of this type of cheese is the high quality natural taste. In addition, Apenzeller is another type of cheese made in Switzerland that is found in gift boxes.

English Cheeses

Currently, there are over 700 cheeses produced in the UK. Divided into blue cheeses and others, there are many types to cheese from. The most popular cheese from all this is the classic cheddar cheese. Both mild and aged cheddar are enjoyed by many and is a classic addition to a cheese gift box. Blue cheese is also popular as an English cheese and of this Stilton and Dovedale are the popular choices.

Dutch Cheese

The Netherlands is known for the production of Gouda and Edam cheese. Both these are found all over the world and especially Gouda has made its name with it being a popular choice for buyers at cheese markets. Addition of a Dutch cheese to your gift box will give it uniqueness especially since Gouda cheese comes in a variety of different flavors such as smoked, that you can choose from.