Capricious Cheese

Creating the perfect cheese tray can be a daunting task for a new party hostess but with these tips, I think you will find it easier than you think. Plan to serve five to six cheeses, selecting distinctly different styles, flavors and textures. With an abundance of artisan crafted cheeses produced worldwide, you can focus on cheeses from a single country or region; select by mild, medium or strong flavors; or you can select from categories such as soft, firm, hard and blue. Soft Cheeses: Brie, Camembert, Feta, Colby Semi-Soft Cheeses: Mozzarella, Havarti, Monterey Jack, Brick, Muenster Medium Cheeses: American Semi-Hard Cheeses: Cheddar (mild, medium and sharp), Provolone, Gouda,[..]

Parmigiano Reggiano production dates back to the 13th century when it was made by Benedectine and Cistercian monks. Thankfully modern methods of cheese production have not altered this traditional hand crafted masterpiece and it is considered, by most cheese experts, to be the world's best cheese. Parmigiano Reggiano is DOP certified and can only be produced in the small area bordered by the provinces of Bologna, Mantua, Modena, Parma and Reggio Emilia. Therefore the total production is small in relative terms but is of an extraordinarily high quality and consistency. The Santa Rita Co-op Dairy, which is located near Modena, produces only DOP Certified Organic Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.[..]

Are you the type of person who loves cheese? We're not talking your run of the mill brick cheese, but the properly aged, hard to find cheeses that your grocery store doesn't carry. Do your Greek salads require only the best Feta Cheese that money can buy? The 'Gourmet Cheese of the Month Club' is one place where you can buy gourmet cheeses online for even those hard to find cheeses. Normally, you would have to mail order for the finest cheeses, because they were made only in certain parts of the world that, as it works out, probably weren't your part of the world. So, maybe once or twice a year, you would pay outrageous prices to order cheeses from across the globe and save these[..]

I absolutely love cheese. It is the great comfort food of my life. During the holiday season I enjoy the various cheese spreads the party circuit provide to me. The wonderful thing about cheese spreads is they are so easy to make. Let me share with you two of my favorite cheese spreads, a sharp cheddar/bacon and a trail mix cream cheese. Cheddar and Bacon Start by assembling your ingredients. You will need 8 ounces of shredded sharp cheddar, 4 ounces cream cheese divided into 8 chunks and 4 slices of crispy fried bacon. Crumble the bacon slices and place into a food processor that is fitted with the chopping blade. Pulse for several sequences, reducing the bacon to small bits. Next add[..]

Pizza is probably one of the most versatile foods. It can be tailored to suit vegetarians, vegans, meat lovers, seafood lovers and, for the more adventurous, dessert lovers. For all of these, the favorite ingredient is cheese (yes, even the vegans can be in on this with a variety of vegan cheeses now hitting selected markets). As all cheese lovers know, there are so many cheese varieties with distinct flavors and textures that there's a whole world of pizza and cheeses to explore. Marscapone and Ricotta are a must for the dessert pizza- imagine fresh cut fig with marscapone and honey baked onto a home-made pizza base as an idea. You don't like figs? Then try swapping for thin slices of[..]

Many people have no idea that there are over 670 different cheeses in the world and that doesn't count those that have had flavorings added such as bacon. A cheese of the month club membership is the perfect way to introduce your friends or your family to these cheeses. Cheese of the month clubs, like most other monthly gift clubs, are available in selections from three to twelve months and even some that are continual for a monthly fee. The CheeseMonthClub and Murray's Cheese of the Month are two popular cheese of the month clubs that offer gourmet cheeses delivered to your door monthly. The Gourmet Cheese of the Month club sends recipients three, half-pound blocks of cheese each month.[..]

Wine and cheese picnics have become more popular as couples are once again discovering how incredibly romantic a simple picnic for two can be. The initial cost for a beautiful willow or bamboo classic basket is less than dinner for two at a restaurant and can be used again and again and again. A basic Wine and Cheese Basket or Backpack or Tote contains a cheese board and knife, an insulated wine bottle holder and a corkscrew. In addition to basic service some baskets also have wine glasses, a bottle stopper and napkins. Other styles will include plates and utensils which is closer to a traditional picnic pack that also has cheese and/or wine service. Food for a Wine and Cheese Picnic is[..]

The art of making goat cheese ranges from a quick and simple process, to a long and complicated procedure. The soft spreadable form of goat cheese known as chevre is probably the best known of the soft cheeses; however, many other forms of soft cheeses can also be easily made with goat milk. The large quantities of three fatty acids, known as capric, caproic and caprylic acid, are responsible for the unique aroma and tangy taste of cheese made from goat milk. Cheeses made from the milk of other animals can not duplicate the taste of goat cheese, because the other milks do not have the abundance of these three medium-chain fatty acids. Water comprises almost 90% of milk. The water portion[..]

While it may seem obvious, cheesemaking starts with milk. High quality, fresh milk is key to making any cheese. Cheesemakers agree that unpasteurized milk produces the most high-quality, delicious cheeses. Also known as "raw" milk, care must be taken when transporting the unpasteurized milk to avoid its contamination. The pasteurization process in which milk is heated to remove bacteria and germs, can sometimes affect the enzymes of the cheese. It impacts the ability of cheese curds to form, as well as the taste of the final product. If you don't raise cows, goats or sheep, or live near people who do, unpasteurized milk can be difficult to procure. In that case, any type of milk[..]

y"> If you have never seen or tasted a cheese curd you might not be anxious to put one in your mouth because "cheese curd" is kind of a strange name and doesn't necessarily conjure up images of something tasty. But a cheese curd is very tasty. I think once you try one you'll be eating a lot more of them! I'm from Wisconsin and grew up eating cheese curds (and yes, lots of other cheese too). I thought everyone ate cheese curds and that you could buy them anywhere. When I grew up and started to travel outside of the state I learned in a hurry that a lot of things were different and that cheese curds were a specialty item only available in areas that produced cheese. That's changed a[..]

The holidays are upon us once again and it's that time of the year to dust-off the fine china and polish the cutlery for this season's festivities. If you are planning to do a lot of entertaining don't wait till the last minute to take stock of the serving and cutting utensils. Appetizers often include a cheese plate and depending on what you're serving there are specific knives and cutter designed to do very specific tasks. For example, you may be serving both Parmesan Regano - which is very hard; along with a soft cheese - like Camembert. In this case, you'll want to set out different knives: one designed to cut hard cheeses and the other designed to cut soft cheeses. Holiday Parties[..]

Cheese is a fermented food derived from the milk of various mammals. It can be used in a wide array of cooking applications, with different types of cheeses being used, depending on the desired effect. It's also a wonderful source of protein, calcium and phosphorus, but it's also a major source of saturated fat. Making cheese is not that difficult of a task; it is both a simple and a complex process, as well as both an art and a science. Cheese making is an ancient practice, dating back thousands of years, and a home cheese maker can usually find recipes that fall into many different categories. The art of producing cheese is an important element of gastronomy in many regions and reveals[..]

It may be the last thing to cross your mind as you set down the cheese and crackers plate, but have you considered where your choice of cheese came from? Chances are you have selected a style of cheese based on your own personal preference, however the cheese wheel churns a little deeper than many realize. Where does it come from? What has it gone through before reaching its final destination on your plate? There are a lot of different answers to these questions, but when we're talking Swiss cheeses, the answer is always tradition, tradition, tradition. Switzerland has about four hundred fifty varieties of cheese. The majority, ninety-nine percent, is produced with cow's milk; the[..]

French cheese comes in many shapes, textures and flavors - over 500 them, so choosing your favorite could be a challenge! From the strong to the mild, the hard to the soft, this cheese is a traditional French food that is well suited for a busy lifestyle. In France, cheese is made from sheep, goat or cow milk and is great to have for a snack on crackers or with a slice of apple. It's a great sourced of protein and calcium and is knows for being quite durable when left alone to harden. The French are quite serious about their cheese, so much so that it is actually protected by AOC ( appellation d'origine contrle) laws which control the quantity of each particular type of cheese that is[..]

Uses for Cream Cheese Cream cheese is a form of fresh, un-aged cheese that comes from cow's milk. This particular cheese was invented in the United States in the late 1800's and is very popular today, adding texture, delicious taste and richness to all kinds of recipes. There are numerous ways to use this delicious cheese; here are some of the most used. Bread Spread Obviously, cream cheese is known as being one of the greatest spreads to put on a bagel, toast, roll, crackers ,and more. Cream cheese is the perfect texture and is often nice and thick, making any bread more delicious. Cheesecake If you like cheesecake, it is probably due to it's main ingredient; cream cheese. Cream cheese[..]

I love cheese. I really do. But I also love keeping my body in shape. And if you have ever counted calories or tried to lose weight, you know the two do not go hand in hand. And there's always that dilemma, hmmm, I guess I could have the low-fat cheese right? But the trouble is that choosing fat free or very lowfat usually limits your choices to mass-produced, vacuum-sealed cheeses that have had much of their flavor removed along with the fat, not so appetizing a proposition. And the truth is while you think you may be getting fewer calories and a lower risk of heart disease, the combination of protein and fat in regular, full-fat cheese is very satiating and as a result, eating full-fat[..]

Cheese and wine baskets are an excellent investment for many individuals. They are an appropriate gift for loved ones, but work well for corporate gifts, client gifts or even gifts to neighbors and acquaintances. They fill that gap of "what do you give someone that has everything?" More so, they are impressive. Many of these cheese and wine baskets have a design to provide your recipient with high quality wines and gourmet cheese and foods. However, they maximize value, allowing you to give a great gift without spending too much on the gift itself. If you are not sure what type of gift to give someone for a birthday, thank you or even for the holidays, cheese and wine baskets are a great[..]

In the US and around the world, cheese is an incredibly popular food eaten every day on burgers, pizzas, subs, salads, and macaroni. Today you can even buy cheese in pre-packaged single serving sizes for snacking. Cheese is nutritious but it's often one of the first foods cut from diets when the goal is to cut calories or lose weight. Many diabetics routinely don't include it in their nutrition plans simply because they believe cheese has too many calories. Others consider cheese as a no-no because it is seen as a food high in cholesterol. But, if you are selective about what type of cheeses you eat, and minimize the amount you eat at a sitting, cheese can be an integral part of a[..]

Whether you are considering home cheese making for personal enjoyment, school projects, or historical significance, cheese making recipes are available for every type of cheese for the home project. Understanding the basics about how to make cheese will help you find the right basic recipe so that you can begin your new and exciting project. Home cheese making is simply re-creating the process at home that usually happens in a factory. Cheese comes in different form, from soft to hard, and the process is a little different for each type. How do you do this at home? All cheese comes from the solid curds from soured milk, which are either produced by cows, goats, or even sheep. Once[..]

Cheese is very rich of calcium, phosphorous, zinc, vitamins A, riboflavin, and vitamin B12. Therefore, not surprising that cheese, which is initially produced by the Egyptians, is now become favorite breakfast menu in many countries around the world. Call it cheddar cheese. Apparently, a portion or about 30 g cheddar cheese contains only had 200 grams of calcium or equivalent to that calcium found in pure milk medium. Well, some experts believe that cheese can reduce the risks of the fragility of our teeth. Researchers from the British Cheese Board also reiterated the content of tryptophan in cheese can help relieve stress and makes us able to sleep more soundly. Although cheese has many[..]

Ask any group of people what their favorite comfort foods are and most likely cheese is involved. What if you could make you own cheese at home anytime you wanted, and it would be ready that same day! That’s what I did. I have always been into projects. For a long time I have made my own wine.(But that’s another story) I also like to cook. One day while looking up recipes on the net I found a site called My curiosity was peaked. I could make my own brand of cheese to cook with or serve with my own wine! AWSOME!  I did some research on the web about homemade cheese and found all the resources I needed. Not only that, I found a one stop shop for over 700 different types of exotic[..]

If you love grated cheese, you want to buy cheese, slice and eat it on a daily basis. Grated cheese is appetizing. The very sight of the cheese pleases both your eyes and the next thing you want is to eat it. This explains why the stainless steel cheese grater is one of the most useful tools in your kitchen. This amazing tool does not only help you grate the cheese but it also enables you to shred soft foods like orange, lemon or coconut. Earlier, the graters available were the hand-operated types. You had to hold the block of cheese and glide it over the surface. At least the half of the cheese would melt in your hands and the flakes you got were not as firm. Furthermore the task was[..]

Home Cheese Making Why make cheese at home? For the person who enjoys canning, home brewing beer and wine, or pickling, home cheese making is a hobby that they should consider trying. Making cheese at home is surprisingly easy and most people don't realize that they have everything they need right in their own home kitchens. For many people who have turned to making their own cheese at home, they have discovered that the process is no more difficult than baking homemade bread. If you are the type of individual who enjoys creating food products at home, then you should consider home cheese making. Additionally, if you enjoy eating different types of cheeses, home cheese making will help[..]

Idiazabal is a DOC ( Denomination de Origen) certified Spanish cheese from the Basque and Navarre regions. As with all Spanish DOC certified cheeses the quality and production methods are strictly regulated. Idiazabal is a pressed cheese made from the unpasteurized milk of the Latxa and Carranzana breeds of sheep. It has long been a staple in the diet of the traditional shepherds whose sheep graze in the lush Pyrenees mountains during the spring and summer. During the early fall the shepherds bring their sheep and their handmade cheese back down to the valley where they sell it in the local markets. Idiazabal was traditionally aged in small huts and obtained its smoky flavor from the[..]

Tete de Moine is a true masterpiece of Swiss cheese making and it is by all accounts the definition of a true gourmet cheese. It is produced by only nine dairies in the northwestern section of the Swiss Alps called the Bernese Jura where French is the predominate language. Tete de Moine is thought to have been produced by the monks at the Bellelay abbey since 1192 but it has been fully noted for production and sale since 1520. Originally the cheese was called Fromage Bellelay after the abbey where it was produced but it was renamed Tete de Moine in 1790. The English translation of Tete de Moine is "monks head" referring to the tax (paid with cheese) by the abbey to the French kings and[..]

Feet, socks, BO. We are not talking about the locker room but the aroma of some of the world's most delectable foods - gourmet cheese. One step into a fine cheese shop and it's easy to be overwhelmed with the foul fragrance. To some it's offensive and to others it's heavenly. With most foods, the sense of smell is directly related to the taste but this is not always the case with cheese. If the odor wasn't enough to keep you from sampling these culinary delights then perhaps the use of molds and bacteria in the cheese production process will. These microscopic wonders are employed to produce a desired rind color and flavor profile. For the adventurous foodie, there are many renowned[..]

Feet, socks, BO. We are not talking about the locker room but the aroma of some of the world's most delectable foods - gourmet cheese. One step into a fine cheese shop and it's easy to be overwhelmed with the foul fragrance. To some it's offensive and to others it's heavenly. With most foods, the sense of smell is directly related to the taste but this is not always the case with cheese. If the odor wasn't enough to keep you from sampling these culinary delights then perhaps the use of molds and bacteria in the cheese production process will. These microscopic wonders are employed to produce a desired rind color and flavor profile. For the adventurous foodie, there are many renowned[..]

Gourmet , is more of a cultural idea associated with the culinary arts of fine food and drinks. Through our taste and experiment of gourmet foods of other countries, we get a taste of the culture of those countries and expand our horizon. For a cheese lover, selection of artisan cheese from Giftswish is unparalleled. Imported from around the world, Giftswish has some of the finest cheese you might have tasted in a long time. Today we look at Danish foods and through the taste of the wonderful gourmet cheese and other foods of Denmark , we shall get a taste of the culture of Denmark, how its people lived and get to know it better. Danish cuisine/foods showcases/ features all those[..]

me it smells like feet, to others it reeks of dirty socks. We are not talking about the locker room but the aroma of some of the world’s most delectable foods – gourmet cheese. One step into a cheese shop and it’s easy to be overwhelmed with the aroma. To some it’s offensive and to others it’s heavenly. With most foods, the sense of smell is directly related to the taste but this is not always the case with cheese. If the odor wasn’t enough to keep you from sampling these culinary delights then perhaps the production process will. Certainly adding to the gross-out factor is the use of molds and bacteria in the cheese production process to yield a[..]

If you ever felt bloated, gassy or just plain ill after eating certain dairy products, you are not alone. Ironically, shortly after I started this gourmet cheese business I found myself to be lactose intolerant. Certainly a cruel hand dealt from fate, or so I thought. Panic, depression and anxiety set in with the notion of never being able to partake in some of the most exquisite foods. Cheese had become my life and my livelihood. But after doing some research, I discovered that not all dairy products are equal in lactose levels and gourmet cheese can resume its rightful spot in my daily diet (phew!). Lactose intolerance is a hereditary condition affecting up to 70% of the world's[..]

Being a foodie is a labor of love. After all, it's hard work keeping up with the latest food trends whether it's shaving bortaga on your pasta at home or sampling pork belly at the newly opened restaurant. Good thing serving a gourmet cheese course is a no brainer. Not only is this one course you don't have to cook, but it's an easy and elegant way to impress your guests by introducing them to new culinary delights - one trend that will never go out of style. A cheese course is about observing and enjoying contrasting and complementary flavors. For a foolproof gourmet cheese course, select 3 - 5 cheeses that vary in texture and flavor. Add some crusty bread, fresh or dried fruit, olives[..]

Disciplined, rigorous, dogged, determined, diligent, precise, fastidious, systematic, methodical, demanding, consistent, focused, accountable and responsible. How many of those words would be used to describe you? A world-class athlete named Dave Scott won the Hawaiian Ironman Triathlon six times. In training, Scott would ride his bike 75 miles, swim 20,000 meters, and run 17 miles - on average, every single day. Dave Scott did not have a weight problem! Yet he believed that a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet would give him an extra edge. So, Dave Scott - a man who burned at least 5,000 calories a day in training - would literally rinse his cottage cheese to get the extra fat off. Now[..]