Buying cheese seems deceptively straightforward. You walk into a cheese shop, choose your cheese and then pay for it, right? What’s so hard about that, you must be wondering, right?
Unfortunately, as any cheese enthusiast will tell you, standing in front of a counter piled high with a dizzying array of cheeses is both a blessing and a curse.
Soft or hard? Milky or funky? Mild or aged? If you are confused about the right cheese to buy, this guide will provide you with all the information you need to choose your favorite types of cheese.
Check where the cheese is made
Some cheeses can only be produced in specific geographic regions. If you are new to cheese, you should know that the location where the cheese is physically manufactured influences its flavor.
This means that if you want a specific flavor in your cheese, you should get one from a particular area.
Of course, the region is important when you know the flavor you want. But what if you don’t know the ideal flavor? You should try the cheese first.
If you want to widen your cheese-tasting horizons, avoid shop aisles that don’t allow you to sample the cheeses first.
A good rule of thumb is that if you visit a shop that doesn’t allow you to taste the cheeses, you’re in the wrong shop.
If you want to branch out, look for specialty cheese shops, delicatessens, or even decent deli counters in supermarkets.
As you taste the cheese, don’t fall back on old favorites once you’ve made your pick. Allow the merchant to guide you on what you might have missed.
The beauty of letting the seller decide what’s fascinating and directing you to something interesting is knowing whether the cheese monger loves their work.
A cheese monger who knows what is interesting and what is not is a mark of a great cheese shop. It shows that they love what they’re doing and aren’t just selling cheese.
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Look out for raw milk cheese
Have you heard of raw milk cheese?
It does not seem particularly appealing, so do not be put off.
Raw milk cheese is just milk that has not been pasteurized to maintain its original flavors, and it is utilized by various cheesemakers.
Milk is a delicate product, and you must preserve its complexities. This means that heating it to 72 degrees Celsius [during the pasteurization process] is a harsh treatment.
Using raw milk to make cheese results in a much more natural flavor, analogous to what our great ancestors ate before the contemporary cheesemaking method became prevalent.
This means that if you want good, natural cheese, you should choose one made from raw milk.
Ask as many questions as possible
Although you may feel pushed not to ask too many questions, remember that answering them is integral to a cheese monger’s job—that is why they are there.
While you’re there, don’t be afraid to request a sample. Nearly all cheese businesses will gladly share a tiny cheese sample with you. After all, sampling is the greatest way to determine how much you’ll enjoy the gouda you saw in the back of the store.
Remember to give your feedback in real-time to the cheese monger so they can steer you away from something you don’t like.
When asking questions, be as specific as possible. You should avoid asking broad queries such as, “What’s new in the shop today?” Cheese shops receive fresh supplies of dozens of cheeses daily, so this information may not be helpful.
Conversely, inquiring about seasonal products is an excellent way to determine which cheeses deserve special attention and which you should try.
Know the cheese that you like
The best information you can give your cheese monger is what cheeses you’ve had and what you liked about them. This will provide them with a good starting point for future recommendations. Don’t stop at the cheese names, though.
Include specifics on what you liked about the flavor and texture so that the cheese monger can recommend similar cheeses that might fit your taste.
Look for a good balance of flavors
To tell if the cheese you are buying is good and high quality, you should look for balance. There shouldn’t be too much sharpness; there should be richness.
Similarly, varied tastes that emerge as you try the cheeses are a sign of quality. You’ll know it’s an excellent cheese when the initial flavor isn’t the last.
Parting shot
These are the tips you should follow to buy good cheese that will give you the excellent flavor you are after.
When you taste the cheese, you should first taste it with your nose and then your mouth. For the best experience, you should know that you’re looking for the cheese’s aroma. This means you should anticipate what it will taste like based on the smells.
From there, you look at what the flavor does in the front of the mouth and how it moves to the rear of the mouth. At the same time, you will be looking for the texture of it.
Does it remain in the mouth or simply disappear? Does the flavor linger? “How does it work out over time? You should consider all this to tell whether the cheese you are looking to buy is right for you.