Concerned over which cheeses to buy? Here are seven cheeses you should know about today.
My love for cheese began in my formative years. When I was a kid, my staple lunch for school was a slice of cheddar cheese on white bread. Now, this wasn’t even toasted or anything; it was just cheese and bread and I can’t tell you how much I loved it. As I grew older, I incorporated cheese into my food as much as I could. My pastas were always cheesier than average, four-cheese pizza was my go-to, and my simple cheese on bread was elevated to grilled cheese.
Initially, cheese shopping was quite overwhelming for me. There were too many options to choose from! All my life, the most I’d heard of or tried were the classics; mozzarella, cheddar, parmesan, and, on fancy days, feta. But soon, I got the hang of the “uncommon” ones too.
So, when I had guests over, I created a cheese board complete with different cheese and complementary foods like olives, crackers, and cured meats. Brie, gouda, roquefort; you name it; the cheese board had it. I didn’t want to serve plain old cheese; I wanted to create a gourmet experience.
A funny thing happened though; when my guests tried these cheeses, they found the taste quite peculiar. And that’s when I realized: there’s a reason why the classics are so popular. They taste the best and suit everyone's palettes.
Cheese is a staple in my diet and I usually incorporate it into my food due to its health benefits. I always feel good about serving cheese because of its high protein content and healthy fats. I know, at the end of the day, it’ll be good for my family and help us maintain better health.
So, because these are what most of us like best, I’ve brought my list down right to the basics.
Cheddar
The king of the classics, cheddar hardly needs an introduction. This English cheese favorite is now made all over the world and has flavors ranging from sharp to mild. That slice of cheese that defined my love for cheese? It was always cheddar.
Sharpness
My mouth immediately starts watering over the thought of perfectly melted cheddar on toasted bread. What I love about cheddar is how it’s so incredibly versatile, making it an excellent addition to dishes like pastas, lasagna, and chicken bakes because it melts easily. In fact, there are few things I love more than how cheddar becomes golden and crispy and develops a stringy and soft consistency when it’s baked. The natural color of cheddar is white so most of the natural cheddars are white, although some are colored yellow with annatto.
When I’m choosing cheddar, I always keep the sharpness in mind. How long the cheese is aged determines how sharp or mild it will taste. The longer the aging period, the sharper the cheese. Mild cheddar is aged two to three months, sharp cheddar is aged six to nine months, and extra-sharp cheddar is aged one and a half to two years.
Sharp cheddar has a delicious flavor and it slices beautifully. It also melts really well for making macaroni and cheese or queso dip at your next party! I personally love sharp cheddar while my parents like it mild. We occasionally mix and match to get the best of both worlds!
Raw vs. Pasteurized
Another thing I keep in mind when I’m buying cheddar is whether it’s raw or pasteurized. Raw cheddar is made from milk that has not been pasteurized. The salt, rennet and curing of cheese kills any foreign bacteria, so raw cheese is very safe, but typically a little more expensive because it has to be processed from incredibly fresh milk.
I find raw cheese a really good option for when I want to keep my food as healthy as possible. It's made with just milk, rennet and salt, which means it has no added preservatives or sugar. Not only does this mean all natural ingredients but also fewer calories than other cheeses.
It’s also naturally processed at low heat, which means all the vitamins and minerals are retained. I usually add raw cheese on top of taco salads for its sharp, tangy flavor. If I am cooking the cheese anyway, I go for the slightly cheaper pasteurized cheese.
Parmesan
When I lived in Italy, I had a friend who made the best parmesan chicken I’ve ever had. In fact, before I had that chicken, I never really took parmesan seriously and underestimated the incredible burst of flavor it could potentially add.
Amongst cheese connoisseurs, parmesan is often considered the best cheese. It’s characterized by a hard, granular texture and I love how its bitter, strong, and nutty taste adds a new dimension of flavor whenever I sprinkle it on top of my dishes. I usually add grated parmesan on top of pasta and often use it in risottos and soups.
Now, whenever I’m cooking for my family and looking for a quick and easy way to fix dinner, I turn to the good old parmesan-crusted chicken. Pair it with simple white sauce pasta and it’s a hit in the household.
Mozzarella
That heavenly string of cheese whenever you take a bite into a freshly baked pizza is all mozzarella. For some reason, I find mozzarella so comforting. It’s one of my favorite cheeses due to its texture and mild creamy flavor.
Mozzarella sticks, for instance, make the perfect comfort food after a long and busy day. And when I want something healthier, I always add mozzarella to my salads. You can put it on pizza, sandwiches, salads - anything really. And best of all? It's one of the least expensive varieties, which is perfect for someone like me who loves to cook but doesn't want to spend tons of money doing so.
Monterey Jack
Monterey Jack is an amazing cheese and I'll tell you why. It's tangy and creamy with a nice salty flavor. I also find it quite light and airy, with a rich cream cheese taste that fills me up without bogging me down.
It melts well too which is why I find it perfect for quesadillas or in casseroles like lasagna. It’s also quite versatile. I love adding Monterey jack on toast with honey, on top of pasta dishes like macaroni and cheese or mixed into salads for some extra protein. It even tastes heavenly over scrambled eggs!
Feta
I first tasted feta cheese when I was living abroad and it's been my favorite ever since. Whenever I'm at the grocery store, I always try to buy some feta because it goes great with so many different dishes. It also has a really unique taste that you can't get anywhere else. It has this salty flavor profile with a hint of garlic and some tanginess from vinegar.
I like to eat it with a cracker or on a salad. Sometimes when I'm feeling fancy, I'll slice some up and put it over pasta. One of my favorites is Roasted Feta Cheese with Olives and Thyme. It's delicious!
Goat
I can't think of a single food that is more polarizing than goat cheese. You either love it or you hate it. I'm on the side of loving goat cheese because there are so many varieties to choose from!
From cream cheeses to chevre-style with different herbs and spices - they're all delicious in their own way. Apart from this, I also find that goat cheese goes well with just about any type of food (fruit, crackers, breads), which means that I can easily find a pairing for my meal without much effort at all.
Cream Cheese
Cream cheese is a staple in my household, and there are so many things I can do with it. From baking and spreading to the frosting on my cake, cream cheese is perfect for any occasion. I love how creamy the texture of cream cheese is - it's like a perfectly rich custard that goes well on bagels or as an addition to any meal. Apart from this, cream cheese also offers nutritional benefits like calcium and vitamin A. What a tasty way to get our vitamins!
Are these your favorites?
Here at Azure, cheese is becoming more of a favorite all the time. The great value of the 5 pound block is an easy way to be able to afford the healthiest cheese available and still have that generous taste of the doubled up cheese on my favorite dishes. At the same time, there are plenty of sample sizes to make sure we get our very favorite.
As we incorporate these tasty items more into our diet, I want to make sure it’s the very best. Azure is about the only place that has economy sizes of organic, raw, non-GMO, uncolored, and “straight from pasture fed cows”, as well as, a selection of our favorite varieties. Now, I’m no longer overwhelmed while shopping for cheese! It’s become incredibly easy and I know I’m always getting the best.