The secret ingredient to a perfect meal is cheese. Melted, shredded, sliced, cheese comes in different variations such as cheap but popular ones, elegant but expensive ones. In this article we will research both.
Cheese facts
Cheese is made from the milk of various animals, but the most common types of animal milk used for cheese making are cow, goat, and sheep. However, cheese can also be made from milk of other animals such as buffalo, yak, reindeer, and even camel. And all of them have different tastes and different approaches how to handle it.
We should mention some kind of factors when talking about cheese per example – price. The price of cheese is influenced by many factors, such as the type of milk used, the production process, the aging time, the rarity of the cheese, and the demand for the cheese.
Some expensive cheeses are aged for a long time, which can enhance their flavors and textures, but not all expensive cheeses are necessarily aged. Similarly, some cheaper cheeses can be made from young milk, but the price of a cheese is not solely determined by the age of the milk used.
The factor that influences cheese is also popularity, most popular ones are:
- Swiss ;
- Grill cheese
- Mozzarella ;
- Parmesan ;
- Cheddar ;
- Brie ;
- Camembert ;
- Gouda ;
- Feta ;
- Blue cheese ;
- Provolone.
Popular cheeses
There are many, many different kinds of popular cheeses. Each with their own smell, taste and form and here are just some of them.
Swiss
Swiss cheese is a type of cheese that originated in Switzerland and is known for its distinctive appearance and flavor. It is a medium-hard cheese that is typically pale yellow with large holes (known as “eyes”) throughout the cheese.
Swiss cheese is made from cow’s milk and has a mild, nutty flavor. The holes in the cheese are created by carbon dioxide gas produced during the fermentation process, which is then trapped in the cheese. Swiss cheese is commonly used in sandwiches, as well as in fondues, quiches, and other dishes. It is also a popular snacking cheese and can be paired with fruits, crackers, or nuts.
Grill cheese
Grill cheese is a Mediterranean-style grilling cheese. It is quite similar to halloumi cheese. Halloumi cheese is a semi-hard, unripened cheese originating from Cyprus that has a high melting point, making it suitable for grilling or frying. It is typically made from a combination of goat’s and sheep’s milk, or sometimes cow’s milk, and has a salty and tangy taste.
Just few drops of oil from your preference, slice of bread, grilled halloumi type cheese and you have a wonderful snack. Best grill cheese is definitely found at dairy farm “Sērenes pienotava” which has perfected its recipe for some truly amazing cheeses.
Mozarella
Mozzarella is a semi-soft, white, mild-flavored cheese that originated in Italy. Traditionally, cheese is made from buffalo milk, but it can also be made from cow’s milk.
There are several types of mozarella cheeses :
- Fresh mozarella, which is made from cow’s milk ;
- Low-moisture mozarella which has firmer texture ;
- Buffalo Mozzarella that is made from the milk of water buffalo. It is tangy, soft and creamy ;
- Smoked mozarella is infused with smoky flavor ;
- And burrata that is fresh Italian cheese made from mozzarella and cream. It has a soft, creamy center and a delicate flavor.
- Also Akkawi cheese which is mozarella alike.
You can use mozarella a variety of dishes, including pizza, lasagna, and salad. Mozarella usually has a high moisture content and a stringy texture. Fresh mozzarella is often sold in ball or block form and can be found in most supermarkets.
Parmesan
Parmesan is a hard, granular cheese. It is typically aged for at least 12 months. Parmesan cheese is made from cow’s milk, it has a strong, salty, and nutty flavor, and is commonly used in Italian cuisine to add flavor to dishes such as pasta, risotto, and salads.
Cheese makers keeps Parmesan in special environments with controlled humidity and temperature that creates ideal conditions for the development of the characteristic aroma and flavor of Parmesan. Parmesan cheese is naturally salty and pungent due to its high concentration of glutamate. During the aging process, enzymes in the cheese break down proteins and release free glutamate, which intensifies all flavors.
Cheddar
Cheddar cheese is a hard, yellow to orange-colored cheese that is widely popular and originated in the English village of Cheddar in Somerset. It is made from cow’s milk, although some varieties may also use goat’s milk or sheep’s milk.
Cheddar cheese also can be aged for varying lengths of time, with the flavor and texture becoming more pronounced the longer it is aged. Young cheddar cheese is typically mild and creamy but aged cheddar cheese can have a sharper, nuttier flavor. Cheddar cheese is also widely produced and consumed outside of the United Kingdom, particularly in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Expensive cheeses
Expensive cheese refers to high-end, premium cheese varieties that are typically priced higher than more common types of cheese.
The price of cheese can be influenced by factors such as the rarity of the cheese, the production process, the quality of the ingredients Some examples of expensive cheese include aged Gouda, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Roquefort, and truffle-infused cheese.
Parmigiano-Reggiano
We already established that Parmesan cheese is quite popular, but it is also quite expensive. It is often considered one of the most expensive types of cheese.
The price of Parmigiano-Reggiano can vary depending on several factors, including its age, the production process, and its origin. Generally, older Parmigiano-Reggiano is more expensive, as it has been aged for a longer period and has a more complex flavor profile. Additionally, Parmigiano-Reggiano that is produced using traditional methods, such as being made from cows fed on local grasses and hay.
An interesting fact : A parmesan cheese must be made according to strict regulations in order to be called “Parmigiano Reggiano”
Roquefort
Roquefort cheese is generally considered to be more expensive than many other types of cheese. Prices varies depending on factors such as the region where it’s purchased, and the quality of the cheese. However, as a general rule, Roquefort is considered to be a premium cheese.
Roquefort is considered to be a premium cheese for several reasons :
• Roquefort cheese is made from 100% sheep’s milk, which is a more expensive milk source than cow’s milk
• Roquefort cheese is aged for at least three months in natural caves, which provides a unique and distinct flavor that cannot be replicated in other cheese-making environments.
• Production process of Roquefort cheese is tightly controlled, and the cheese must meet strict standards to be considered authentic Roquefort. This level of quality control ensures that only the best cheese is sold under the Roquefort name
• Roquefort cheese is a protected designation of origin (PDO) product, meaning that it can only be produced in a specific geographic region of France using specific methods.
We hope that you enjoyed this article and if you are interested for more educational articles se suggest you to read Most popular cocktails in the world