Cheese
Luxury Living: A Food Lover's Guide to Gourmet Cheeses
When you are trying to choose a gourmet cheese, you have to consider the texture of the cheese, the type of milk that it was made with, and the compatibility between your cheese and whatever else you are serving.
There is a plethora of choice when it comes to gourmet cheeses. You have to consider the milk type of the cheese, the texture, and the country where the cheese originates. The cheese that you choose will also depend on what foods and beverages you will be serving in addition to the cheese. As you probably know, wine and cheese often go hand in hand, so understanding the proper pairing is essential in picking your gourmet cheeses. It can be an overwhelming decision to make because your choices are so varied, but if you know the basics about gourmet cheese, then you will be able to make a far more confident decision.
There are four types of milk that a cheese may be prepared with: cow milk, goat milk, sheep milk, mixed milk cheese, or kosher milk cheese. Cow cheeses are very healthy – they are rich in calcium and protein. One great cow cheese to try is Boule de Lille, a French cheese with a dark orange rind that pairs very well with beers. Another French cheese made from cow’s milk is Brezain cheese, a hard cheese with a light smoky flavor. Brezain tastes fabulous with pizzas and salads.
Goat cheeses are known for having a sharp and salty flavor, a thin rind, and a strikingly white color. Goat cheeses generally contain far less water than other cheeses, and they are more easily digested. Try the Spanish Garrotxa, which is a hard cheese that has a very earthy aroma and flavor. This will pair well with potato-based soups and dishes. Also from Spain, Monje Bleu Cheese is a softer goat milk variety that has a saltier buttery flavor.
Sheep cheeses are higher in fat than most other cheeses, and they are often used in sweets, such as pastries and pastry fillings. You can also pair them with fresh fruits – strawberries and cream, a sheep’s milk cheese, and some champagne would make a delicious trio for your pallet. Brebicet is an absolutely delectable French variety of sheep’s milk cheese. The texture is similar to that of Brie, and it is very smooth and creamy. Another French sheep’s milk cheese to try is Fleurs du Maquis (translates to “flower of the marquis”), which is covered in juniper berries, peppers, and herbs, giving it a strikingly flavorful taste. Unfortunately, it is often difficult to get this type of cheese imported to the United States, so if you can find this cheese, you are in for a true gourmet delicacy. Mixed cheeses are popular because they combine the flavors of cheeses with varying milk types and textures, creating a blend that is unique and packed with taste. One of the most sumptuous mixed cheese varieties is Caciotta Al Tartufo, which actually has truffles added into it to boost the flavor.
The marriage of cheese to its perfect wine counterpart can be both daunting and confusing. There are so many cheese choices, as you have seen, but there are just as many wine choices to sift through. Also, when you are trying to pair a cheese to a wine, you may have other foods to consider. Start with wines that you are familiar with – you will have the advantage of really knowing the flavors in the wine. A wine with fruity flavors generally goes well with a soft or semi-soft cheese made from goat’s milk. Full-bodied wines, especially red wines, pair well with hard or semi-hard cheeses, and they taste especially great with smoked cheese varieties. Experiment with different combinations -- your personal tastes are far more important that anything else.
Gourmet cheeses will add a special touch to anything from a simple cold cut sandwich to a five-course sit-down dinner. Once you start tasting and experimenting with different gourmet cheeses, you will develop a sense for what types you prefer.
There is a plethora of choice when it comes to gourmet cheeses. You have to consider the milk type of the cheese, the texture, and the country where the cheese originates. The cheese that you choose will also depend on what foods and beverages you will be serving in addition to the cheese. As you probably know, wine and cheese often go hand in hand, so understanding the proper pairing is essential in picking your gourmet cheeses. It can be an overwhelming decision to make because your choices are so varied, but if you know the basics about gourmet cheese, then you will be able to make a far more confident decision.
There are four types of milk that a cheese may be prepared with: cow milk, goat milk, sheep milk, mixed milk cheese, or kosher milk cheese. Cow cheeses are very healthy – they are rich in calcium and protein. One great cow cheese to try is Boule de Lille, a French cheese with a dark orange rind that pairs very well with beers. Another French cheese made from cow’s milk is Brezain cheese, a hard cheese with a light smoky flavor. Brezain tastes fabulous with pizzas and salads.
Goat cheeses are known for having a sharp and salty flavor, a thin rind, and a strikingly white color. Goat cheeses generally contain far less water than other cheeses, and they are more easily digested. Try the Spanish Garrotxa, which is a hard cheese that has a very earthy aroma and flavor. This will pair well with potato-based soups and dishes. Also from Spain, Monje Bleu Cheese is a softer goat milk variety that has a saltier buttery flavor.
Sheep cheeses are higher in fat than most other cheeses, and they are often used in sweets, such as pastries and pastry fillings. You can also pair them with fresh fruits – strawberries and cream, a sheep’s milk cheese, and some champagne would make a delicious trio for your pallet. Brebicet is an absolutely delectable French variety of sheep’s milk cheese. The texture is similar to that of Brie, and it is very smooth and creamy. Another French sheep’s milk cheese to try is Fleurs du Maquis (translates to “flower of the marquis”), which is covered in juniper berries, peppers, and herbs, giving it a strikingly flavorful taste. Unfortunately, it is often difficult to get this type of cheese imported to the United States, so if you can find this cheese, you are in for a true gourmet delicacy. Mixed cheeses are popular because they combine the flavors of cheeses with varying milk types and textures, creating a blend that is unique and packed with taste. One of the most sumptuous mixed cheese varieties is Caciotta Al Tartufo, which actually has truffles added into it to boost the flavor.
The marriage of cheese to its perfect wine counterpart can be both daunting and confusing. There are so many cheese choices, as you have seen, but there are just as many wine choices to sift through. Also, when you are trying to pair a cheese to a wine, you may have other foods to consider. Start with wines that you are familiar with – you will have the advantage of really knowing the flavors in the wine. A wine with fruity flavors generally goes well with a soft or semi-soft cheese made from goat’s milk. Full-bodied wines, especially red wines, pair well with hard or semi-hard cheeses, and they taste especially great with smoked cheese varieties. Experiment with different combinations -- your personal tastes are far more important that anything else.
Gourmet cheeses will add a special touch to anything from a simple cold cut sandwich to a five-course sit-down dinner. Once you start tasting and experimenting with different gourmet cheeses, you will develop a sense for what types you prefer.
Source: essortment