my favorite cheeses

during college, i used to work at la brea bakery as a bakery girl.  in addition to selling amazing breads, pastries and paninis, i became a total cheesemonger!  this week, i want to share a list of my favorite cheeses with everyone instead of a cooking recipe.  hope you learn a thing or two...and please go to your nearest cheese store and try some of these delicious cheeses!

#1 old amsterdam gouda

cows milk, netherlands

a hard, dry, aged gouda that has this amazing, buttery flavor.  my favorite thing about this cheese is its crunchy crystals interspersed throughout.  

#2 st. agur

cows milk, france

a delicious strong yet creamy blue cheese with a velvety texture. this cheese has olive green mold veins throughout, leaving a subtle mild spicy taste that develops as it ages.  delicious with red wine, bread and/or fruit paste.

#3 humboldt fog

goats milk, california

a very unique cheese with a creamy and luscious texture with a subtle tangy flavor.  with a center layer and outer covering of vegetable ash, and a creamy texture under the rind and firm in the center, this beautiful cheese is a mild and amazing.

#4 epoisses

cows milk, france

this cheese was known to have been a favorite of napoleon.  super stinky with a complex combination of rich, salty and sweet flavors, this cheese melts in your mouth.

#5 nevat

sheeps milk, spain

"nevat" the catalan word for "snow" is a perfect name for this airy cheese.  this unique cheese has a smooth and creamy texture at the edges, and a chalkier center.

#6 sottocenare al tartufo

cows milk, italy

a firm cheese with black truffle bits scattered throughout.  the rind is made of ash a variety of spices (like cinnamon, nutmeg, fennel and coriander).

#7 brie de meaux

cows milk, france

the very first brie ever made!  a super pungent and creamy cheese, this brie dates back to the 1700s.  super soft and intense in flavor, this cheese is delicious with fresh grapes, figs and apple slices.

#8 red hawk

cows milk, california

a triple-cream, washed-rind, fully-flavored chese.  although it's super stinky, the flavor is earthy and mild.  delicious with a sweet dessert wine. ps - if you want something a little more mild, try mt. tam.

#9 st andre

cows milk, france

probably one of my first favorite cheeses, i remember using st andre to make yummy snacks for me and arthur growing up.  a simple, rich triple-cream cheese, st andre is perfect as an appetizer, ingredient for recipes, and as dessert.

#10 piave

cows milk, italy

i like to use piave instead of parmesan due to its beautiful, nutty, caramely flavor.  made from the milk from the cow's by the piave river in italy, this cheese is a must-try!

hope you enjoyed learning about my favorite cheese!  let me know if you want to learn more about wine pairings and accompaniments.

xoxo, 

kara