Randy Chandler
Mt Tam is a luscious, buttery triple-cream cheese with a soft, edible rind and a fudgy core. It is made with organic cow's milk and named after the 4,000-foot Mt Tamalpais in Marin County. Mt Tam is produced by Cowgirl Creamery, which has retail stores in San Francisco and Washington, D.C., and a cheesemaking operation in Petaluma, California. This rich, heavy butterfat cheese pairs well with wine, lager, or can be enjoyed on its own or with crackers. It is also delicious when used in a sauce for pasta with mushrooms, spinach, and bacon.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese type | Triple cream |
| Flavour | Mushroomy, buttery, earthy, nutty, lemony |
| Texture | Soft, fudgy, oozy |
| Rind | Edible |
| Weight | 5 ounces |
| Height | 1.5 inches |
| Age | No more than 5 weeks |
| Manufacturer | Cowgirl Creamery |
| Pairings | Pinot Noir, Syrah, Malbec, lager, bubbles |
| Recipes | Pasta with mushrooms, spinach, and bacon |
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What You'll Learn
Mt. Tam cheese on crackers
Mt. Tam cheese is a triple-cream, soft-ripened cheese made from cow's milk. It has a creamy, rich, and indulgent flavour and is versatile enough to be enjoyed on its own or as part of a recipe.
When serving Mt. Tam cheese on crackers, it is best to first let the cheese sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes to enhance its flavour and texture. It can then be spread on crackers and enjoyed on its own or as part of a charcuterie board. To create a classic charcuterie board, pair the cheese with prosciutto, arugula, roasted red peppers, and a balsamic glaze.
For a sweet and savoury flavour combination, Mt. Tam cheese can be enjoyed with crackers and a touch of fig jam. This combination can also be enhanced by adding caramelized onions and using artisan bread instead of crackers.
When creating a cheese platter with crackers and Mt. Tam cheese, consider adding some classic cheese-friendly flavours such as spinach, mushrooms, and bacon. This cheese also pairs well with an organic lager like Samuel Smith's or a fruity, organic Pinot Noir or Syrah.
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Pasta with Mt. Tam cheese
Mt. Tam, an organic triple cream cheese with a mushroomy, buttery flavour, is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, including pasta. Here is a recipe for Pasta with Mushrooms, Spinach, and Mt. Tam Cheese.
Ingredients:
- Mt. Tam Cheese
- Pasta
- Mushrooms
- Spinach
- Bread crumbs
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Salt and pepper
- Bacon (optional)
Instructions:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add pasta and cook until al dente or just tender, following the package instructions. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water.
- In a separate skillet, toast the bread crumbs over medium-high heat until lightly browned. Set aside.
- Wipe out the skillet and return it to medium-high heat. Add olive oil, mushrooms, garlic, salt, and pepper. Cook until the mushrooms are tender and browned.
- In the same skillet, add the pasta and half of the grated Mt. Tam cheese. Stir until combined, adding reserved pasta water if needed to adjust the consistency.
- Transfer the pasta to a serving bowl or platter. Sprinkle with the toasted bread crumbs and top with the remaining cheese.
- For an extra indulgent touch, crumble bacon over the pasta before serving.
This dish pairs well with a variety of beverages. For wine lovers, a fruity organic Pinot Noir or Syrah would complement the creamy cheese sauce. Alternatively, an organic lager, such as Samuel Smith's, could provide a refreshing contrast.
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Pairing Mt. Tam cheese with wine
Mt. Tam, an organic triple cream cheese, is known for its dense, fudgy core and mushroomy, buttery flavour. The cheese has a smooth, creamy, and elegant texture, with a mellow, earthy flavour. When it comes to wine pairings, here are some suggestions:
Chardonnay
The Miner Family "Wild Yeast" Napa Chardonnay is recommended by Richard Matuszczak, lead sommelier at La Toque. The acidity of this Chardonnay is said to balance the flavour and texture of Mt. Tam, creating an ideal pairing with a unique texture element.
Crisp, Citrusy White Wines
Wines such as Pinot Grigio are suggested to pair well with Mt. Tam. The crispness and citrus notes of these wines complement the creamy texture and earthy flavour of the cheese.
Sparkling Wines
Sparkling wines like Champagne, Prosecco, and Cava are also recommended pairings for Mt. Tam. The bubbles and acidity in these wines can cut through the creaminess of the cheese, providing a refreshing contrast.
Pinot Noir or Syrah
For a red wine option, a fruity Pinot Noir or Syrah is suggested. These wines have enough body and fruitiness to stand up to the creamy texture and flavour of Mt. Tam.
Lighter-Style White Wines with Goat Cheeses
While not specific to Mt. Tam, wine expert Drea White recommends pairing lighter-style white wines like Sauvignon Blanc or Semillon with fresh goat cheeses. The crisp and lemony characteristics of these wines go well with goat cheeses, which share similar traits.
When pairing Mt. Tam with wine, it's important to consider the cheese's unique texture and flavour profile. The wine should either complement or contrast these elements to create a harmonious pairing. Ultimately, personal taste plays a significant role in finding the perfect pairing.
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The rind of Mt. Tam cheese
Mt. Tam cheese is a triple cream cheese made with organic cow's milk. It is named after the 4,000 ft Mt. Tamalpais, which lies at the southern end of Marin County. Cowgirl Creamery, the producer of Mt. Tam, describes it as having a "mushroomy, buttery" flavour. The cheese has a soft, edible rind and a fudgy core. The rind is delicious, although some people do not like it. The cheese is best served at room temperature to allow the flavours to fully develop.
When serving Mt. Tam, it is recommended to remove the cheese from the refrigerator about an hour before serving to allow it to warm up gradually. This ensures that the cheese is soft enough to spread easily without being too runny.
Mt. Tam can be served in a variety of ways. It can be spread on crackers or bread, or it can be enjoyed on its own without any accompaniments. It can also be used in recipes, such as in a rich sauce for pasta with mushrooms, spinach, and bacon.
When pairing Mt. Tam with drinks, it goes well with a variety of wines, such as Pinot Noir, Syrah, or Malbec. It also pairs well with lager or sparkling wine ("bubbles").
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The texture of Mt. Tam cheese
Mt. Tam is a soft, triple-cream cheese with a unique core that upholds its texture. It is made with pasteurized cow's milk and cream, to which microbial rennet (vegetarian) is added. The cheese is produced by Cowgirl Creamery, based in Marin County, California.
The cheese is smooth, creamy, and soft on the tongue, melting instantly in the mouth. Its texture is dense and rich, with a buttery mouthfeel and hints of mushrooms, grass, and hay. The rind is soft and reminiscent of white mushrooms.
The unique texture of Mt. Tam cheese is a result of the addition of extra cream to whole milk during the cheese-making process, creating a milk base that is much richer than regular cow's milk. This extra cream gives Mt. Tam its characteristic smoothness and decadence.
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Frequently asked questions
Mt Tam is an organic triple cream cheese with a fudgy core, made with organic cow's milk. It has a buttery, mushroomy taste and a soft, edible rind.
Mt Tam cheese can be served on crackers or bread, or without any accompaniments. It can also be melted into a rich sauce for pasta with spinach, mushrooms, and bacon.
Mt Tam cheese pairs well with a variety of wines, including Pinot Noir, Malbec, and Syrah, as well as beers like organic lager.
