Randy Chandler
Truffle cheese is a decadent and indulgent treat. The elusive nature of truffles makes them expensive and hard to find, but their earthy, mushroomy, and nutty flavours make them a popular ingredient, especially when paired with cheese. There are many varieties of truffle cheese to choose from, including cheddar, pecorino, gouda, and brie. Some of the most popular truffle cheeses include Sottocenere al Tartufo, Moliterno al Tartufo, and Hook's Black Truffle Cheddar. So, what is the best truffle cheese? Well, that's a matter of personal preference, but here's a guide to help you decide.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese Type | Cheddar, Pecorino, Goat, Brie, Gouda, Mascarpone, Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Sheep's Milk, Raclette, Humboldt Fog, Toma, Fromager d'Affinois |
| Truffle Type | Black Truffle, White Truffle |
| Texture | Silky, Creamy, Soft, Luscious, Gooey, Studded, Firm, Crumbly, Melts in mouth, Semi-soft, Hard |
| Taste | Earthy, Sweet, Milky, Fresh, Robust, Balanced, Rich, Pungent, Umami, Nutty, Grassy, Musky, Funky, Tangy |
| Aroma | Earthy, Sweet, Fresh, Robust, Balanced, Pungent, Musky, Funky |
| Pairings | Truffle Honey, Prosciutto, Cider, Pasta, Lambrusco, Dry Cider, Red Wine |
| Brands/Producers | Murray's, Carr Valley, Hook's Cheese, Wood River Creamery, BelGioioso, Alpinage Artisan, Cypress Grove, igourmet, Point Reyes Farmstead |
| Region | Wisconsin, Italy, Sardinia, California, Netherlands |
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What You'll Learn
Truffle goat cheese
When it comes to the best truffle cheese, there are many varieties to choose from, and personal preference plays a role. However, truffle goat cheese is a popular option that combines the tangy, savoury flavour of goat cheese with the earthy, pungent aroma of black truffles.
One well-known producer of truffle goat cheese is Carr Valley, which makes its cheese from fresh goat milk. The result is a firm cheese with a pungent, earthy aroma and a tangy, savoury flavour. This cheese shreds well and is commonly used in salads, burgers, and vegetables. LaClare Creamery also makes a truffle goat cheese with a similar flavour profile, blending in bits of black summer truffles to create an earthy, tangy, and savoury flavour.
Another option for truffle goat cheese comes from Wisconsin Cheese Mart, which offers a black goat truffle cheese that is also made from fresh goat milk. This cheese has a pungent, earthy aroma and a delicious blend of sweet and savoury flavours. Similar to the Carr Valley cheese, this cheese shreds well and is a great addition to salads, burgers, and vegetables.
In addition to these options, there are other notable truffle cheeses to consider. For example, Hook's Black Truffle Cheddar, made in Mineral Point, Wisconsin, is a firm cheese studded with imported black truffles from Italy. This cheese has a mild white cheddar base and a perfumed, earthy aroma. The Hooks also make a sheep's milk version with a Monterey Jack base, which is lighter and creamier but still rich in truffles. These cheeses are handcrafted by Tony Hook and his wife, Julie, and are known to melt in your mouth.
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Black truffle cheddar
One notable producer of black truffle cheddar is Hook's Cheese in Wisconsin, owned by Tony and Julie Hook. Their black truffle cheddar melds mild white cheddar with imported black truffles from Italy. The cheese is firm yet melts in your mouth, perfumed with the earthy aroma of truffles. Hook's Cheese also offers a sheep's milk version, which has a Monterey Jack base made with rich sheep's milk from Brenda Jensen's Hidden Springs Creamery. This variety is lighter and creamier while still being rich in truffles.
Another popular option is the Wood River Creamery Black Truffle Cheddar Gruyere from Burnett Dairy. This cheese is a unique fusion of cheddar and Gruyere, accented with real Italian black truffles. It melts indulgently, bakes to perfection, and offers a well-balanced flavour profile where both the cheese and truffle notes shine through. This black truffle cheddar is perfect for enjoying on its own, shredded on flatbread or pizza, or incorporated into gourmet pasta dishes.
Face Rock Creamery also offers a Truffle Cheddar infused with imported Italian black truffles. The rare and iconic culinary fungi are hand-shaved into their signature cheddar base, resulting in a balanced, earthy truffle flavour. The cheese is aged to elevate the taste and enhance the creamy texture.
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Sheep's milk truffle cheese
When it comes to truffle cheese, Wisconsin is a top producer, and black truffle cheese is considered one of the most extravagant varieties. Among the many options available, sheep's milk truffle cheese stands out for its unique flavour and texture.
One notable example is the award-winning sheep's milk cheese made by Tony and Julie Hook of Hook's Cheese. Their sheep's milk truffle cheese has a Monterey Jack base and is crafted using rich sheep's milk from Brenda Jensen's Hidden Springs Creamery. This cheese is lighter and creamier than their famous cheddar truffle variety, but it is still generously infused with black truffles. The result is a semi-firm, award-winning farmstead cheese with a unique flavour and texture.
Another option is the Spanish sheep's milk cheese with black truffles, known as "Queso Puro de Oveja". This cheese is aged for five months and then injected with truffle, which creates a progressive blend of flavours in the mouth. The unique juiciness and delicate flavour of this cheese have earned it a Superior Taste Award from the International Taste Institute of Brussels. This cheese is seasoned with nutmeg and black and white pepper, adding further complexity to its flavour profile.
For those who prefer a softer cheese, Wooly Wooly® offers a fresh sheep's milk cheese log with black truffles from Jumilla, Spain. This cheese is soft, spreadable, and pillowy, with a luscious creamy texture. It has a rich, sweet, and mildly sheepy flavour that can be enjoyed on its own or used in cooking. Try crumbling it over a salad, stuffing it into pasta, or mixing it into eggs for a unique twist.
Lastly, for a truly indulgent experience, seek out the La Antigua Sheep Milk Cheese with White Truffles. This cheese is aged for six months and made with raw sheep's milk and white truffles from Italian Piamonte, a region renowned for the quality of its truffles. The result is a creamy cheese with a unique character and elegant flavour.
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White truffle cheese
When it comes to serving white truffle cheese, there are several options to consider. For a quick snack, it can be enjoyed on its own or with bread and breadsticks. The cheese can also be grated or coarsely chopped and added to pasta, risottos, or savoury pies, enhancing the dish with its rich and unique flavour. To fully appreciate the flavour and aroma of white truffle cheese, it is recommended to serve it with a full-bodied red wine or an aromatic and floral white wine.
While black truffles are more commonly used in cheese, white truffles offer a distinct and delicate flavour that is worth seeking out. White truffles are known for their intense aroma and earthy, umami flavour notes. They are typically found in the regions of France and Italy, where they are carefully harvested near hazelnut trees with the help of trained dogs and pigs. The rarity and labour-intensive harvesting process contribute to the prestige and luxury associated with white truffles.
When choosing a white truffle cheese, it is essential to consider the quality and freshness of the product. Look for a reputable cheese maker or retailer who can guarantee the maximum freshness and integrity of their products. Additionally, pay attention to the ingredients used in the cheese, as the best white truffle cheeses will have a balanced combination of high-quality milk, truffles, and other carefully selected ingredients.
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Truffle brie
The best truffles for cheese are the black or summer variety, often sourced from France, Italy, or the Pacific Northwest. These truffles have an intense, earthy flavour that pairs exceptionally well with creamy cheeses like Brie. The Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company, for instance, uses black summer truffles from Umbria, Italy, in their Truffle Brie, creating a decadent and delicious combination.
While some cheesemakers, like Point Reyes, use real truffles in their Truffle Brie, others opt for truffle-infused oils or powders to impart the distinctive truffle flavour. For example, Tony Hook, a cheesemaker from Wisconsin, experimented with both truffle powder and oil before using real black summer truffles from Italy in his award-winning Hook's Black Truffle Cheddar.
For those seeking a plant-based option, Rebel Cheese offers an award-winning vegan Truffle Brie. This cheese has a creamy, mild centre with a hint of funk from its bloomy rind, developed during two weeks of ageing in their cheese cave. It's a unique, delicious option for those who want to enjoy the decadent flavours of Truffle Brie without dairy.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many different types of truffle cheese, and the best one depends on personal preference. Here are some popular options:
- Moliterno al Tartufo
- Sottocenere al Tartufo
- Truffle Gouda
- Truffle Goat Cheese
- Truffle Cheddar
Wisconsin produces a variety of cheeses infused with indulgent flavours, and black truffle cheese is perhaps the most extravagant. Here are some popular truffle cheeses from Wisconsin:
- Wood River Creamery Black Truffle Cheddar Gruyere
- Hook's Black Truffle Cheddar
- Carr Valley's Truffle Goat Cheese
Truffle cheese can be served on its own or as part of a cheese platter. It can also be grated over fresh pasta or used in recipes such as mac and cheese, souffles, or scrambled eggs. When serving truffle cheese, it is important to consider the pairing. Some suggested pairings include:
- Truffle honey
- Prosciutto
- Cider
- Sparkly Lambrusco
- Dry red wines
