Cheese Buzz: What's The Deal With Barely Buzzed?

Barely Buzzed Cheese is a unique artisanal cheese with an intriguing flavour profile. This cheese has a subtle buzz, a result of its aging process with espresso and lavender. The cheese is crafted by the Beehive Cheese Company, a family-owned business in Utah, USA. Barely Buzzed is a versatile cheese, pairing well with fruits, crackers, wines and beers. It has garnered a cult following among cheese enthusiasts and has won several awards, including medals at the World Cheese Awards and the American Cheese Society Competition.

Barely Buzzed Cheese is made from cow's milk

Barely Buzzed Cheese is a unique and intriguing type of cheese that has gained popularity in recent years. It is made from cow's milk and aged to perfection to create a rich, creamy flavour with a subtle buzz. The name "Barely Buzzed" comes from the fact that the cheese is aged with a special blend of espresso and lavender, giving it a signature flavour profile that is both rich and refreshing.

The process of making Barely Buzzed Cheese begins with sourcing high-quality cow's milk from local farms in Utah, the state where this cheese originated. The milk is then pasteurized and carefully mixed with a blend of cultures and enzymes to create the ideal environment for the cheese to develop. The addition of microbial rennet, derived from yeast or bacteria, makes it suitable for vegetarians who consume dairy.

During the aging process, which lasts for several months, the cheese is regularly turned and monitored to ensure the perfect balance of flavours. The espresso and lavender are added to the cheese's surface, infusing it with their distinctive flavours and aromas. This process gives the cheese its characteristic golden-brown rind and creamy, semi-soft interior.

The result is a cheese with initial bright and citrusy notes, followed by a subtle coffee buzz and hints of lavender. Its creamy texture and complex taste make it incredibly versatile for pairings, ranging from fruits and crackers to wines and beers. Barely Buzzed Cheese has garnered a cult following among cheese enthusiasts and has won numerous awards, including medals at the World Cheese Awards and the American Cheese Society Competition.

It is a cheddar-style cheese

Barely Buzzed is a cheddar-style cheese, crafted by the Beehive Cheese Company, a family-owned business based in Utah, United States. The cheese is made from cow's milk, specifically Jersey milk, and has a creamy and smooth texture.

The unique characteristic of Barely Buzzed cheese is its signature ingredient – coffee. The cheese is rubbed with a blend of espresso beans and lavender, creating a subtle coffee flavour that complements the natural taste of the cheese. This process gives the cheese a distinct flavour profile, with initial bright and citrusy notes, followed by hints of lavender, adding a floral touch.

The making of Barely Buzzed involves culturing the milk, adding rennet to curdle it, and then shaping it into wheels. The wheels are then coated with the signature coffee-lavender blend and left to age for 6 to 8 months. During this ageing process, the cheese develops a golden-brown rind and a creamy, semi-soft interior. The flavours mature and blend harmoniously, resulting in a rich and complex taste.

Barely Buzzed cheese has gained popularity among cheese enthusiasts and has won several awards, including a bronze medal at the World Cheese Awards in 2012 and multiple first-place finishes at the American Cheese Society competition. Its versatility in pairing with various foods and drinks, such as fruits, crackers, wines, and beers, makes it a favourite on cheese boards and at parties.

It is made by the Beehive Cheese Company

Barely Buzzed Cheese is a unique artisanal cheese made by the Beehive Cheese Company, a family-owned business based in Utah, United States. Founded in 2005 by Patrick and Timothee Broadbent, the company is known for its innovative and delicious cheeses that showcase the rich, natural flavours of Utah.

The name "Barely Buzzed" is a playful reference to the cheese's signature ingredient: coffee. The cheese is rubbed with a blend of espresso beans and lavender, creating a subtle coffee flavour that complements the natural taste of the cheese. This distinctive blend gives the cheese a unique flavour profile that has gained a cult following among cheese enthusiasts.

The Beehive Cheese Company uses only the finest pasteurized cow's milk to craft Barely Buzzed Cheese. The cheese-making process involves culturing the milk, adding rennet to curdle it, and then shaping it into wheels. The wheels are then carefully rubbed with the signature coffee-lavender blend, infusing the cheese with its unique flavour. The cheese is then left to age for 6-8 months, during which it develops a golden-brown rind and a creamy, semi-soft interior.

The resulting flavour of Barely Buzzed Cheese is a complex and subtle masterpiece. The initial bright and citrusy notes give way to a subtle coffee buzz, followed by hints of lavender, adding a floral and herbaceous touch. The finish is long and satisfying, coating the palate with a creamy texture.

The Beehive Cheese Company's Barely Buzzed Cheese has garnered numerous awards, including a gold medal at the World Cheese Awards and Best in Show at the American Cheese Society Competition. With its impressive flavour, versatility in pairing, and accolades, Barely Buzzed Cheese is a must-try for all cheese lovers.

It is rubbed with a blend of coffee and lavender

Barely Buzzed Cheese is a unique artisanal cheese produced by the Beehive Cheese Company, a family-owned business in Utah, United States. The cheese is crafted with attention to detail, using cow's milk that is carefully pasteurized and cultured, before adding rennet to curdle it and shaping it into wheels.

The true distinction of Barely Buzzed Cheese lies in the treatment of these wheels. They are rubbed with a specially crafted blend of espresso beans and lavender, creating a signature flavour profile that is both intriguing and subtle. This blend is carefully applied to the cheese, infusing it with a delicate coffee aroma and a hint of floral and herbaceous notes from the lavender. The "barely buzzed" name aptly describes the subtle coffee flavour that complements the natural taste of the cheese rather than overwhelming it.

The espresso and lavender blend not only enhances the flavour but also contributes to the cheese's striking appearance. The result is a cheese that is as stunning to look at as it is delicious to taste, making it a perfect addition to any cheese board or gourmet platter. The cheese has a creamy and smooth texture, with notes of butterscotch and caramel near the rind, which further adds to its allure.

Barely Buzzed Cheese has gained a loyal following among cheese enthusiasts and has even won several awards, including medals at the World Cheese Awards and first place at the American Cheese Society competition on multiple occasions. Its versatility in pairing with various foods and drinks, from fruits and crackers to wines and beers, makes it a favourite for many. The subtle complexity of its flavour profile, with bright and citrusy initial notes followed by the subtle buzz of coffee and hints of lavender, creates a long and satisfying finish that coats the palate.

It pairs well with red wine

Barely Buzzed is a unique artisanal cheese produced by the Beehive Cheese Company, a family-owned business based in Utah, United States. This cheese has garnered attention for its intriguing name and distinct flavour profile. So, what is it that makes Barely Buzzed so special, and why does it pair well with red wine?

Firstly, the name "Barely Buzzed" is a playful reference to the cheese's signature ingredient: coffee. The cheese is rubbed with a blend of espresso beans and lavender, imparting a subtle coffee flavour and a hint of lavender's floral and herbaceous notes. This combination creates a complex and intriguing taste experience. The cheese itself is a cheddar-style, full-bodied variety made with pasteurized cow's milk, specifically Jersey milk. The addition of the espresso and lavender rub sets Barely Buzzed apart from other cheeses and gives it its distinctive character.

The process of making Barely Buzzed involves crafting the cheese wheels and then rubbing them with the signature coffee-lavender blend. These wheels are then left to age for approximately 6 to 8 months, during which time the flavours mature and harmonise. The result is a cheese with a golden-brown rind and a creamy, semi-soft interior. The aging process is crucial, as it allows the initial bright and citrusy notes to develop, followed by the subtle coffee and lavender hints.

Now, let's delve into why Barely Buzzed pairs so well with red wine. The cheese's complex flavour profile, with its subtle coffee and lavender notes, complements the bold flavours of red wines such as Cabs, Syrah, and Zin. The richness and depth of flavour in both the cheese and the wine create a harmonious pairing. The smooth, creamy texture of Barely Buzzed also contributes to its compatibility with red wine, as it can stand up to the fuller-bodied wines without being overpowered.

In addition to its pairing with red wine, Barely Buzzed is also versatile enough to be enjoyed with other beverages. It goes well with full-bodied wines, ports, bourbons, ales, stouts, and ciders. For those who prefer a non-alcoholic option, Barely Buzzed can be enjoyed with sliced apples, pears, or grapes, providing a sweet contrast to the savoury cheese. It also pairs well with crackers or crusty bread.

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