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Consolidated "Favorite cheeses / where to find?" thread
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Fontina (from Spain) is my favorite. Available at Trader Joes, Costco, probably most places. It would (in my uneducated opinion) be a cousin to Gouda -- which I am also very fond of :)
And, of course, everyone loves brie (soft & creamy) -- right? |
So many cheeses...where to start? I'm a big fan of aged Gouda. A hard cheese, with a sharper flavor than unaged Gouda. Flexible- good on pizzas, grated on pasta, sliced with sourdough. I also like Roaring 40's blue (Australian, I think). It has a softer flavor than other blue cheeses.
If you like strong (or "stinky," as my children say) cheese, then I'd recommend Chimay. It's a semi-soft cheese made with Chimay beer. Good strong flavor, great with a crusty loaf of bread! Mmm. Experiment and have fun! |
Following Brewgal, it seemed only appropriate to mention some of the suggestions for beer and cheese pairings (beer works much better than wine with cheese).
Here are some suggestions from cookbook author Lucy Saunders. Here's a 2005 article in the San Francisco Chronicle on the subject. And finally, suggestions for cheeses from Fred Eckhardt, the "dean of American beer writers". |
It of course would depend on the wine and food you are serving with it, but one of the ones I like that many people haven't tried (unless you have a room full of italians) is ricotta salata, solid ricotta.
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Originally Posted by ALadyNCal
(Post 9022436)
And, of course, everyone loves brie (soft & creamy) -- right?
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Originally Posted by Orchids
(Post 9023825)
Try Saint Andre--sort of Brie+ ;)
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Try a high end grocery store
depending where you are, if you can find a high end / gourmet grocery shop, they should have at least one cheese expert on staff who can give you recommendations based on what they have available. Dean and DeLuca, Oakville grocery, Draegers are all good in northern California, not sure what options you'll have in Texas (Whole Foods, maybe?)?
For online sources, try www.cowgirlcreamery.com . That's what I use to send cheeses to my parents, who live in a gourmet food-deprived area in Georgia (the state, not the country). Bob
Originally Posted by uncertaintraveler
(Post 9022264)
I'm looking to expand my understanding of cheese(s) beyond the usual Cheddar, Colby, Swiss, etc.
So, for an upcoming event, I'm planning on buying 10 or so different types of cheeses to try out. I don't want to buy anything I've already had before (although a Manchego may accidently get on the shopping list), but given how limited my experiences with cheese(s) are, this shouldn't be hard to accomplish. Price is not a huge concern, nor is what kind of milk the cheese is made from. However, I don't want to buy 10 types and end up hating them all. :D Accordingly, I need some help. What are your favorite cheeses and can you briefly describe the flavors of each? |
One of the very best cheeses I have had is Delice du Bourgogne which I have only seen at Costco during the holidays. It is, apparently, not a traditional cheese from France, but a new invention. Very rich smooth, buttery with a wonderful flavor. You might still find some at your local Costco. Keeps for a month or so if unopened.
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I'm a fan of smoked gouda, along with dill havarti - a softer, milder cheese.
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Buy one of the cheeseboards from www.cheese-online.com , which will ship you cheese directly from France. Trust me on this, it will be the best cheese you can get. We order it frequently, and it is the most talked about and desired item at our annual law firm holiday party.
If you want recommendations for particular cheeses, feel free to PM me, or e-mail me. But their Soiree cheeseboard (10 different cheeses) should more than satisfy for your event. I have no affiliation with fromages.com , just a very satisfied long-time customer. |
Originally Posted by biggestbopper
(Post 9024185)
It is, apparently, not a traditional cheese from France, but a new invention. Very rich smooth, buttery with a wonderful flavor.
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Originally Posted by ALadyNCal
(Post 9022436)
Fontina (from Spain) is my favorite.
One of my favourites... Brie de Meaux. Some claim it is the best brie. Meaux is east of Paris, west of Reims, more or less. I also like gorgonzola, parmigiano reggiano, gruyere, cheddar, stilton... I could go on. -- 13F |
Originally Posted by greggwiggins
(Post 9022893)
Following Brewgal, it seemed only appropriate to mention some of the suggestions for beer and cheese pairings (beer works much better than wine with cheese).
Here are some suggestions from cookbook author Lucy Saunders. Here's a 2005 article in the San Francisco Chronicle on the subject. And finally, suggestions for cheeses from Fred Eckhardt, the "dean of American beer writers". Pairing beers and cheeses can be very wonderful! |
I concur that you find a small gourmet food shop or cheese specialty shop and consult the "cheese whiz" for suggestions. They will usually let you sample and help you make an interesting selection for your cheese tasting party. One of my my favorite cheeses available at most supermarkets is Parrano Originale It has the alluring, nutty flavor of a fine aged parmesan with the versatility of a young gouda.
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