Bushra Griffith
Not all cheeses are pasteurized. Soft cheeses, bacteria-ripened cheeses, and blue-veined cheeses may or may not be pasteurized, depending on the brand or source. You can find unpasteurized cheeses at farmers' markets, Whole Foods, and specialty shops. Some cheeses that are typically pasteurized include Aged Gouda, cheddar, Manchego, Parmesan, and Piave.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pasteurization | Not all cheeses are pasteurized |
| Types of unpasteurized cheese | Soft Hispanic cheeses, local cheeses, hard cheeses made with raw milk, imported cheeses |
| Where to find unpasteurized cheese | Farmers' markets, Whole Foods, specialty shops, farms |
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What You'll Learn
Soft Hispanic cheeses
Queso fresco, for example, has been in the news for listeria. If you are buying cheese from a farmers' market, it is a good idea to opt for a firm cheese. You can also find unpasteurised cheeses at places like Whole Foods and other specialty shops.
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Imported cheeses
If you want to be sure that your cheese is pasteurised, look for aged cheeses such as gouda, cheddar, manchego, parmesan, or piave. These cheeses are usually pasteurised, but they are not immune to the risks of cross-contamination. Whole intact cheeses are safe from cross-contamination.
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Hard cheeses made with raw milk
Hard cheeses can be made with raw milk, which is milk that has not been pasteurised. Raw-milk cheeses may be firm, oozy, creamy or crumbly, and can come in any shape, from wheel to block. They are almost always made by small-scale artisanal producers, and often come from a single-herd cow, sheep or goat milk.
Raw milk has been the prime ingredient for great cheeses throughout history because of its unique flavour. When milk is cooked or pasteurised, many naturally occurring flavour-rich enzymes (the good bacteria) are destroyed or denatured by the heat, and the cheese loses that important flavour-building foundation.
Some hard, mild cheeses that are aged for only a few months, including cheddar and Colby Jack, can be a health gamble. However, hard, years-aged raw Parmesan or pecorino romano are likely among the least germy of the cheese family.
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Deli and specialty aisle cheeses
Soft cheeses, bacteria-ripened cheeses, and blue-veined cheeses are the types you may find in the deli or specialty aisles of your grocery store. Depending on the brand or source, they may or may not be pasteurized. The same goes for cheeses you may find at your local farm stand or farmers market. If you want to be extra careful, look for aged pasteurised cheeses, such as aged gouda, cheddar, manchego, parmesan (not Parmigiano-Reggiano), or piave. However, even these are not immune to the risks of cross-contamination; whole intact cheeses are. If you want to be sure, always read the labels carefully and look for the word 'pasteurised'. If you're buying cheese from a farmers market, it's a good idea to go for a firm cheese.
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Local cheeses
There are many cheeses that are not pasteurised, including some local cheeses and soft Hispanic cheeses. In the US, unpasteurised cheeses can be found at Whole Foods and specialty places. In the UK, unpasteurised cheeses can be found at Costco and Lidl.
When choosing unpasteurised cheeses, it is important to read labels carefully and look for the word "pasteurised". Safe cheeses will be found in the standard dairy cooler area of your grocery store. It is also a good idea to buy individual blocks or bags of shredded cheese, rather than having your cheese cut from a wheel, to avoid cross-contamination.
Some specific examples of unpasteurised cheeses include queso fresco, which has been linked to listeria, and hard cheeses made with raw milk, which can be found at Whole Foods.
If you are looking for pasteurised cheeses, there are many options available, including aged pasteurised cheeses such as Aged Gouda, cheddar, Manchego, Parmesan, and Piave. These cheeses are high in fat and protein and rich in many nutrients, making them a great source of nutrition. However, even these cheeses are not completely immune to the risks of cross-contamination, so it is important to be mindful of that when purchasing and consuming them.
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Frequently asked questions
Soft Hispanic cheeses, queso fresco, and some local cheeses are often unpasteurized.
Unpasteurized cheese can be found at farmers' markets, Whole Foods, and specialty places.
Unpasteurized cheese may be at risk of cross-contamination, and some unpasteurized cheeses have been in the news for listeria.
