Say cheese

Lets talk about cheese! This is going to be about my exploration of cheese, not an essay on cheese’s importance to civilization. I have forgotten more about cheese than (most of) you will ever know. I know that sounds really arrogant but it is very true. For about eight years of my working life, cheese was a major aspect of focus and study. Even for the next six years, cheese was a large component. I love cheese for all of its culinary aspects. Cheese is culture (ha…bad pun), politics, agriculture, history, and biotechnology.

In the Twin Cities area, there is a tremendous wealth of cheese available, if you have the means for it. There are numerous cheese shops that have a vast selection of cheeses from all around the world. One of these locations was my employer, and I learned so much during that time. I very much appreciate that they encouraged us to taste everything, read all of the cheese books available, and ask tons of questions. I also was able to interact with customers looking to find the perfect cheese for their dinner party, wine or beer pairing, and ingredient for a special meal.

One of my favorite dinners if I don’t want to cook, is to grab some nice bread, a fun bottle of wine, and a selection of cheeses and charcuterie. The combinations are endless and I certainly have my favorites. I am just going to list a bunch of them. Cana de cabra, Robiola, Brie de Meaux, Donnay Chevre, Collier’s Powerful Cheddar, Coolea, Pantaleo, Abbaye de Belloc, Ardrahan, Taleggio Vecchio, Hoch Ybrig, Vacherin, Piave Vecchio, St. Agur, Bayley Hazen, Northern Lights Bleu, Hook’s 10-year cheddar, Pleasant Ridge Reserve, Mahon, Quicke’s Oak Smoked Cheddar, Marieke Smoked Gouda, Bulgarian Feta, Neal’s Yard Dairy Montgomery’s Cheddar.

I really could go on, those are just some that popped into mind. There are so many more I would love to try and try again. If you are interested, please reach out to me with any questions. Or head over to your local cheese shop and ask questions. I guarantee you the folks working there, cheese mongers, would be more than happy to guide you. Lets open some beer or wine and keep exploring!