What is CHEESE?

What is CHEESE?

I am totally guilty of being one of those people who associate cheese primarily with that orange-yellowish stuff that comes automatically wrapped in a piece of plastic coating that’s damn near impossible to remove without tearing up the contents to shreds. Whew… That’s a mouthful. And not a mouth full of cheese.

Growing up in a home where a grilled cheese sandwich was the ultimate comfort food, the primary ingredient was that piece of cheese. It wasn’t until I grew up or at least a little older that I realized there was a whole wide world of cheeses out there! Immensely bigger than that lone slice of processed American cheese.

Here’s to a mouth-watering story, my friends!

Recently I came across a video on YouTube (don’t you LOVE social media!) with a woman who described in detail various cheeses, what they were made of, how they were made, and what they paired best with – I watched every second of the 42+ minute video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTgm36y884c

The most interesting thing I learned was the types of cheese. I knew there was a difference, but now I’m even smarter:

• 1 - FRESH (No rind) ...

• 2 - AGED FRESH CHEESE [wrinkled white to grey-blue rind] ...

• 3 - SOFT WHITE RIND (White Fuzzy Rind) ...

• 4 - SEMI-SOFT (Fine to thick grey-brown rind or orange & sticky) ...

• 5 - HARD (crusty, grey often polished, waxed, or oiled) ...

• 6 - BLUE (Gritty, rough, sometimes sticky rind)

Fascinated to say the least, I was familiar with a few of the more common cheeses she presented, but now I’m on a quest to try some of the others. What I’d like to present to you is a quick synopsis of the cheeses I’m familiar with, then give you the option of exploring some of the others on your own.

Need a hint or two on the names of different cheeses? Check this out: https://www.alphalists.com/list/alphabetical-list-cheeses

Let’s make this as simple as possible, so I’ve put together a simple alphabetical list of my favs:

1. American – yes, even the simple, plastic coated cheese of choice has a distinct place in my list; especially noting my love of grilled cheese sandwiches as comfort food.

2. Babybel – I enjoy the miniature wax coated cheese as a snack. My only problem is that I can’t stop at one and before you know it, the whole bag of six+ wheels is gone!

3. Cheddar – an all too familiar name for an immense variety of cheeses. I never realized that until doing research for this article.

4. Cream Cheese – the essential ingredient for the most delicious dessert creation on earth – cheesecake.

5. Feta – most delicious when it’s paired with salty green olives, Italian seasoning, marinated in good oil. Served with club crackers and I’m one happy girl!

6. Havarti – by and large, my most favorite cheese of all. Eaten by itself, on a sandwich, with a cracker, I don’t care. It’s all good eating!

7. Mozzarella – one of my proudest moments was when I attempted and succeeded in making my own fresh mozzarella (well, technically it’s not mozzarella unless it’s made with buffalo milk) – it didn’t last long.

Now – here are some cheeses that I’ve heard of often during my short (?) life, but never tried. BUCKET LIST!

1. Brie – yes, I know, you can find it in any grocery store, but I’ve never bought it or eaten it. Yet.

2. Camembert – ditto to Brie.

3. Époisses – a stinky cheese that is super smooth, almost sounds oxymoronic, huh? But very interesting. French. Cow’s milk. Hmmm – guess a trip to France is required.

4. Halloumi – a cheese that doesn’t run when cooked?! It sounds amazing!

5. Manchego – a Spanish sheep’s milk cheese. I'll swing over to Spain when I visit France.

6. Raclette – I definitely want to try this properly prepared with potatoes and salami, cooked to bubbling. OMG, it looks so delicious!

7. Teté de Moine – just watching its preparation with the exclusive carving tool made it absolutely enticing.

As with the entire world of food, the possibilities are endless. The variety is infinite. The joys are immense. Cheese is a creation that encompasses all those things.

I love cheese.

I love food.

I love you.

Enjoy your food. Share and be generous.

Above all – BE KIND.

Until our next adventure, happy eating!