Cheese is a dairy product that is obtained from the milk of cows, goats, sheep, and buffalo. It comes in a variety of textures and flavors, which can be used in a variety of dishes. There are many different types of cheese, but all fall into one of two categories: fresh or aged.

Fresh cheese

Fresh cheese is made from milk that has been pasteurized and has not been aged. It is soft, mild in flavor, and has a higher moisture content than aged cheese. Fresh cheese includes ricotta, cottage cheese, cream cheese, and goat cheese. Plus, mozzarella, which can be either fresh (fior di latte) or aged (bufala).

Additionally, fresh cheese can be divided into two categories: 

-Unripened: 

These cheeses are soft and have a mild flavor. They include feta, queso blanco, and panel. In addition, cheeses in this category may be labeled as “fresh,” “soft,” or “spreadable.” This means they haven’t had a chance to develop their full flavor potential. 

For example, queso blanco is a white, fresh cheese that originated in Mexico. It’s made from cow’s milk and has a mild, milky flavor. It’s often used as a filling for tacos or burritos, or as a topping for nachos.

-Ripened: 

These cheeses are softer than unripened cheeses and have a stronger flavor. They include brie, camembert, and fresh mozzarella. In addition, these cheeses may be labeled as “semi-soft” or “semi-solid.” This means they’ve had a chance to develop their flavor more than unripened cheeses.

For example, brie is a soft, ripened cheese that originated in France. It’s made from cow’s milk and has a creamy, slightly tangy flavor. It’s often eaten as is or used as a filling for sandwiches or savory tarts.

Aged cheese

Aged cheese is made from milk that has been pasteurized and has been aged for a period of time, typically several months to years. During this time, the cheese loses moisture and develops a more intense flavor. Aged cheese includes cheddar, gouda, Parmesan, and Swiss. Charcoal cheese is a type of cheese that is made by adding charred wood to the milk while it is being processed. This gives the cheese a smoky flavor. You can explore different strong charcoal cheese types online. When choosing the cheese, it’s important to consider the intended use. 

Additionally, aged cheese can be divided into two categories: 

-Hard: 

These cheeses are dry and have a strong flavor. They include cheddar, gouda, and Parmesan. In addition, these cheeses may be labeled as “aged,” “hard,” or “stale.”

For example, cheddar is a hard, aged cheese that originated in England. It’s made from cow’s milk and has a sharp, tangy flavor. It’s often used in grilled cheese sandwiches or as a topping for salads or burgers.

-Semi-hard: 

These cheeses are less dry than hard cheeses and have a milder flavor. They include Swiss, Gruyere, and Provolone. In addition, these cheeses may be labeled as “semi-hard” or “soft.”

For example, Swiss is a semi-hard cheese that originated in Switzerland. It’s made from cow’s milk and has a nutty, sweet flavor. It’s often used in fondue or as a filling for sandwiches.

How to choose?

Type

When choosing cheese, you should first decide what type of cheese you want. Do you want fresh cheese or aged cheese? If you’re not sure, ask the cheesemonger for a recommendation. 

If you want fresh cheese, you should choose a cheese that is soft and has a mild flavor. If you want an aged cheese, you should choose a cheese that is dry and has a strong flavor. 

Additionally, the type of cheese you choose should be based on how you plan to use it. If you’re going to use the cheese in a cooked dish, you can choose any type of cheese. However, if you’re going to eat the cheese on its own, you should choose a cheese that is soft and has a mild flavor. 

Texture

You should also consider the texture of the cheese. Do you want a smooth cheese or a crumbly cheese? If you’re not sure, ask the cheesemonger for a recommendation. For example, if you’re going to use cheese in a salad, you may want a crumbly cheese. 

If you want a smooth cheese, you should choose a cheese that is soft and has a creamy texture. If you want a crumbly cheese, you should choose a cheese that is hard and has a dry texture. 

For example, brie is a smooth cheese that has a creamy texture. Cheddar is a crumbly cheese that has a dry texture. They are best used in different dishes.

 

Flavor

Once you’ve decided on the type of cheese, you should then decide on the flavor. Do you want mild cheese or strong cheese? If you’re not sure, ask the cheesemonger for a recommendation. 

If you want mild cheese, you should choose a cheese that is unripened or has a short aging time. If you want a strong cheese, you should choose a cheese that is ripened or has a long aging time. 

For example, mozzarella is a mild cheese that is unripened. Parmesan is a strong cheese that is ripened. They have different flavors, so you should choose the one that best suits your taste. 

Price

Finally, you should consider the price of the cheese. Cheese can be expensive, so you may want to choose a cheaper cheese if you’re on a budget. However, if you’re willing to spend more money, you should choose a higher quality cheese. 

For example, brie is a high-quality cheese that is more expensive than cheddar. Cheddar is a lower-quality cheese that is less expensive than brie. 

In addition, the price of the cheese may be based on the type of milk it’s made from. For example, cow’s milk cheese is usually more expensive than goat’s milk cheese. 

So, when choosing cheese, you should consider the type of cheese, the texture, the flavor, and the price. By doing so, you’ll be able to choose the best cheese for your needs. In conclusion, there are many factors to consider when choosing cheese. But if you take the time to choose wisely, you’ll be able to find the perfect cheese for your dish. At the end of the day, it all comes down to your personal preference. So, go out and explore the different types of cheese, and find the one that you like the best!