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
