Bushra Griffith
With nearly 2,000 types of cheese in the world, choosing the best one is no easy task. Personal preference plays a big part, but some cheeses are more popular than others. For example, cheddar is the most popular cheese in the UK and the second most popular in the US. Other well-loved varieties include Swiss cheese, mozzarella, feta, goat cheese, smoked gouda, and blue cheese. Some of the best cheeses are said to be those that are freshly made, such as Cypress Hill's fresh cheeses, or those that are locally sourced.
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What You'll Learn
Mozzarella
When buying mozzarella, it is best to buy a block of cheese and grate it yourself instead of buying pre-grated cheese. The texture of mozzarella should be fairly firm but still have a bit of springiness to it, making it good for grating, slicing, or eating by the chunk.
Some of the best mozzarella cheese brands include Good & Gather, a Target-exclusive brand, which has a bit of tang to it, and Trader Joe's block mozzarella, which has a great creamy texture and flavor accented with a bit of salt.
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Cheddar
The taste of cheddar depends on the variety, ranging from mild to extra sharp. The sharpness of cheddar is associated with the levels of bitter peptides in the cheese. Cheddar can be white, off-white, or yellow, with the orange hue achieved by adding natural or artificial colourings like annatto, a plant extract. Annatto also gives the cheese a slightly nutty flavour.
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Feta
High-quality feta has a creamy texture and aromas of ewe's milk, butter, and yoghurt. It has a tangy, slightly salty, and mildly sour taste with a spicy finish. Feta is also known for its health benefits, providing essential nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, vitamin B12, and riboflavin. It is a probiotic food, promoting a healthy gut microbiome and aiding digestion.
When selecting Feta cheese, it is best to choose varieties made from high-quality milk with a crumbly texture and a creamy mouthfeel. It is important to store Feta properly in the refrigerator to maintain its freshness and prevent it from drying out.
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Goat's cheese
Goat cheese, also known as chèvre, is a tangy, soft cheese made from goat's milk. It has been produced for at least 5,000 years, with the first documented proof of humans making cheese of any kind dating back 7,500 years ago in Poland. Goat milk has higher levels of medium-chain fatty acids, such as caproic and caprylic acids, which give the cheese its characteristic tart, "goaty" flavour. These fatty acids are rapidly absorbed by the body and are less likely to be stored as fat. Goat cheese also contains anti-inflammatory enzymes, probiotics, antioxidants, proteins, and lipids, which help maintain a healthy metabolism.
Goat cheese is made in a similar way to other cheeses. The milk is filtered to remove impurities, and a curdling agent is added, such as rennet or starter bacteria, which affect the curd size and the cheese's consistency. The curds are then moulded, dried, flavoured, and cured. Variations in this process, such as the type of starter, curing time, and temperature, can alter the texture and flavour of the cheese.
Goat cheese comes in various forms, including spreadable logs, crumbles, and varieties resembling brie. Fresh chèvre has a vibrant, creamy flavour, while longer-aged wheels are mellow and snackable. Goat cheese is versatile and can be used in salads, sandwiches, appetizers, and even desserts.
Some notable goat cheeses include Yagi cheese from Japan, Kesong puti from the Philippines, Nabulsi cheese from Palestine, and Darfyieh from baladi goats in Dargyieh. In the US, notable goat cheese producers include Prairie Fruits Farm, Idyll Farms, Shadow Brook Farm's Dutch Girl Creamery, Capriole Creamery, and Cypress Grove.
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Burrata
While some consider Burrata to be overrated and expensive, others appreciate its unique and delicate flavour. It is a perishable cheese with a short shelf life, which may contribute to its higher price. However, when fresh, Burrata offers a delightful sensory experience that makes it a favourite for many cheese enthusiasts.
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Frequently asked questions
There are nearly 2,000 types of cheese in the world, so it's hard to choose just one as the best. Some popular options include cheddar, mozzarella, Swiss, goat, feta, and Parmesan.
Cheddar is a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches due to its nutty flavour, semi-firm texture, and meltability.
A charcuterie board typically includes a variety of cheeses, such as cheddar, mozzarella, and gouda. For a unique option, consider Point Reyes Original Blue Cheese, which offers bold yet nuanced flavours.
Swiss cheese and other alpine cheeses, such as Emmental and Gruyere, are lower in carbs than many other types of cheese, making them a good choice for a keto diet.
