Do you like cheese? There’s so much to learn about it! Cheese can come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and flavors. It can be hard, soft, smelly, or mild. This guide will help you learn about different kinds of cheese so you can pick the right one for your snack or meal.
What is Cheese?
Cheese is made from milk, usually from cows, goats, or sheep. People have been making cheese for thousands of years. To make cheese, milk is curdled, which means it turns from liquid to solid. This usually happens by adding something called rennet or by adding acids. After that, the solid parts, called curds, are separated from the liquid part, called whey. The curds are then processed to make different types of cheese.
Types of Cheese
Here are some common types of cheese. Each type is special because of what it is made from and how it is made.
Hard Cheeses
Hard cheeses have had most of the moisture removed and are often aged for a long time.
Cheddar
Cheddar is one of the most popular hard cheeses. It can taste mild or very strong, depending on how long it has been aged. It can be orange or white.
Parmesan
Parmesan is a very hard cheese that is often grated over pasta. It has a strong, nutty taste and can be aged for a long time.
Semi-Hard Cheeses
Semi-hard cheeses are firm but not as hard as hard cheeses. They have less moisture than soft cheeses.
Gouda
Gouda is a Dutch cheese with a rich, creamy flavor. It can be eaten alone or melted on food.
Edam
Edam is also from the Netherlands and is similar to Gouda. It has a milder taste and is often coated in red wax.
Soft Cheeses
Soft cheeses have a lot of moisture and are usually spreadable.
Brie
Brie is a French cheese with a soft, creamy center and a white, edible rind. It has a mild, buttery taste.
Camembert
Camembert is like Brie but with a stronger flavor. It also has a creamy center and a white rind.
Blue Cheeses
Blue cheeses have blue or green mold spots. They are very strong and flavorful.
Roquefort
Roquefort is a French blue cheese made from sheep’s milk. It is very creamy and crumbly with a strong flavor.
Gorgonzola
Gorgonzola is an Italian blue cheese. It can be mild or strong, depending on the type.
Fresh Cheeses
Fresh cheeses are not aged and have a lot of moisture. They often taste mild and creamy.
Mozzarella
Mozzarella is a soft, white cheese often used on pizza. It melts very well and doesn’t have a strong flavor.
Ricotta
Ricotta is a creamy, white cheese that is often used in Italian dishes like lasagna. It is very light and fluffy.
Cheese from Around the World
Let’s take a look at some famous cheeses from different countries.
France
France is famous for its many types of cheese.
Brie de Meaux
Brie de Meaux is a special type of Brie that comes from a specific region in France. It has a rich, buttery flavor.
Roquefort
We talked about Roquefort earlier. It’s a very famous French blue cheese.
Italy
Italy has many delicious cheeses, too.
Parmigiano Reggiano
This is a very special type of Parmesan cheese that has to come from a specific region in Italy. It has a very strong, nutty flavor.
Mozzarella di Bufala
This mozzarella is made from buffalo milk. It is very creamy and rich.
Spain
Spain has some unique cheeses as well.
Manchego
Manchego is made from sheep’s milk and has a nutty, sweet flavor. It comes from a specific region in Spain.
Cabrales
Cabrales is a very strong blue cheese that is aged in caves. It has a powerful flavor.
Switzerland
Switzerland is known for its delicious, holey cheeses.
Emmental
Emmental is the cheese with big holes in it. It has a mild, nutty flavor.
Gruyère
Gruyère is a wonderful melting cheese often used in fondue. It has a rich, slightly sweet taste.
Cheese Uses
Different cheeses are great for different uses. Let’s look at some ideas for what you can do with cheese.
Snacking
Some cheeses are perfect for snacking. Cut up pieces of cheddar, gouda, or brie can make a tasty and easy snack.
Cooking
You can cook lots of yummy dishes with cheese. Mozzarella is great for pizza. Parmesan is perfect for adding on top of pasta. Gruyère melts wonderfully in soups and sauces.
Spreading and Dipping
Soft cheeses like brie and camembert are delicious spread on bread or crackers. Cream cheese is a yummy dip for veggies or spread for bagels.
How to Store Cheese
Cheese needs to be stored the right way so it stays fresh and yummy.
Wrapping
Hard and semi-hard cheeses can be wrapped in wax paper or parchment paper and then put in a plastic bag. Soft cheeses often come in their own containers and can stay in those. Blue cheeses should be wrapped in foil.
Refrigerating
Most cheeses should go in the fridge. They can go in the warmest part of the fridge, like the cheese drawer or the vegetable drawer. Fresh cheeses like mozzarella and ricotta are best used within a few days of opening.
Freezing
Though not all cheeses freeze well, hard cheeses like cheddar can be frozen if they are wrapped well. They might crumble a bit after freezing, but they will still taste good.
Fun Facts About Cheese
Here are some fun facts that you can share with your friends.
- Did you know there are over 1,800 different types of cheese in the world?
- The largest cheese ever made weighed as much as a car!
- There is a cheese that is made with maggots. It is called Casu Marzu and comes from Italy.
Conclusion
Cheese is a delightful treat that comes in many different forms. Whether you enjoy it on its own, melted in a dish, or spread on crackers, there is a cheese for everyone. Now that you know all about the different types of cheese, you can impress your friends and family with your knowledge. Go ahead and try a new cheese today. Happy tasting!
