A Curated List of Cheeses for Your Enjoyment

You love cheese. Who doesn’t? That creamy, salty, sometimes stinky goodness is one of life’s simple pleasures. Whether you prefer soft and spreadable, hard and crumbly, or pungent and blue, cheese makes everything better. You put it on sandwiches, salads, pasta, pizza, and charcuterie boards. You eat it straight from the wedge with a glass of wine or craft beer. The possibilities are endless. With hundreds of varieties from all over the world, discovering new cheeses is a delicious adventure. We’ve curated a list of some of our all-time favorites to satisfy your inner cheesemonger. From mild to wild, soft to hard, and everything in between, this list has something for every cheese lover. Prepare your palate – you’re in for a treat.

Soft Cheeses: Camembert, Brie, Blue Cheese

Soft cheeses are comfort food for your taste buds. Their creamy, spreadable texture melts in your mouth and coats your palate with flavor. Here are a few soft cheeses you need to experience:

Camembert is a soft, creamy cheese with a white rind and pale yellow center. It has earthy, mushroomy notes that become more pronounced as it ripens. Spread it on bread or crackers, or bake it whole in its box until ooey-gooey.

Brie is a soft, buttery cheese with a slightly nutty flavor. The edible white rind protects the rich, creamy interior. Brie pairs well with fruit like apricots or figs and is also delicious baked or grilled in pastry.

Blue cheeses like Gorgonzola, Roquefort and Stilton have blue-green veins running through the cheese from the addition of penicillin mold. They have a sharp, pungent flavor that softens with age. Crumble blue cheese over salads, melt it on burgers or serve with honey and walnuts.

With hundreds of soft cheeses to choose from around the world, you’ll never run out of new flavors to experience. Whether you prefer a mild, buttery cheese or a bold, pungent variety, soft cheeses offer a deliciously creamy indulgence for any palate. Discover your new favorite today!

Hard Cheeses: Cheddar, Parmesan, Pecorino Romano

Some of the hardest cheeses around are cheddar, Parmesan, and Pecorino Romano. These aged cheeses can last for months and pack a ton of flavor.

Cheddar is a aged, sharp cheese that gets more complex in flavor the longer it ages. Mild cheddars are creamy and slightly nutty, while aged cheddars become intensely savory with notes of caramel. Cheddar is versatile and melts well, so it’s great in everything from grilled cheese sandwiches to casseroles.

Parmesan is a hard, crumbly cheese with a salty, savory flavor. Grated or shaved Parmesan is a staple for topping pasta, salads, and pizza. Look for authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano from Italy for the best quality. Pro tip: use a microplane or the fine side of a box grater to grate Parmesan into light, fluffy shavings.

Pecorino Romano is another hard, salty cheese made from sheep’s milk. It has an earthy, nutty flavor with a slight bitterness. Pecorino Romano is a perfect substitute for Parmesan, especially in pesto. It has a distinctive aroma, so a little goes a long way. Pecorino Romano can be grated or crumbled by hand.

Whether enjoying a cheese board with friends or cooking up an Italian Dinner, these hard cheeses are essential. Their concentrated flavors are ideal for accenting dishes or standing up boldly on their own. Try a variety and find your favorites your palate will thank you!

List of Cheeses FAQs

What are the most popular types of cheese?

Some of the most popular and well-known cheeses include:

• Cheddar: A hard, yellow cheese that originated in England. Cheddar is one of the most popular cheeses in the world.
• Mozzarella: A soft, white cheese with a mild flavor. Mozzarella is commonly used in pizza and lasagna.
• Parmesan: A hard, grated cheese used in Italian cooking. Parmesan has a salty, nutty flavor.
• Brie: A soft, creamy cheese with a white rind. Brie has an earthy, mushroomy flavor.
• Gouda: A mild buttery yellow cheese from the Netherlands. Gouda is one of the most popular cheeses in the world.

What cheese has the strongest flavor?

Some of the cheeses with the strongest, most pungent flavors include:

Blue cheeses like Roquefort, Gorgonzola, and Stilton. Blue cheeses get their strong flavor from penicillin roqueforti mold.

Aged cheddars, especially those aged more than 3-5 years. As cheddar ages, it develops a sharper, tangier flavor.

• Pecorino Romano: A hard Italian cheese made from sheep’s milk. Pecorino Romano has a very salty, savory flavor.
• Limburger: A soft cheese with a very strong smell and flavor. Limburger has a creamy texture and pungent, spicy flavor.
• Époisses de Bourgogne: A soft, orange cheese with a washed rind. Époisses has a very strong smell and flavor of meat, salt, and ammonia.

What cheese goes well with wine or beer?

• Soft, creamy cheeses like Brie, Camembert, and goat cheese pair nicely with fruity white wines like Sauvignon Blanc or Riesling.
• Aged cheddars and Gruyere go well with bold red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec.
• Gouda and Edam pair nicely with light, crisp beers like pilsners or wheat beers.
• Blue cheeses are best enjoyed with sweet dessert wines like port or sherry.
• Parmesan and Pecorino Romano are perfect for grating over pasta dishes and also pair well with Chianti or other Italian reds.

Conclusion

So, there you have it, a curated list of halal cheese to satisfy your craving for something creamy, crumbly, or pungent. Whether you prefer soft and mild, hard and nutty, or bold and stinky, this list has something for every cheese lover. The next time you’re hosting a wine and cheese night, putting together a charcuterie board, or just needing an excuse to indulge, pick up a few of these delicious varieties. Your taste buds will thank you, and you’ll wonder why you didn’t discover some of these cheeses sooner. Life is too short to miss out on such flavorful fromage. Go ahead, treat yourself – you deserve it!