5 Cheeses to Celebrate National Dairy Month
We’re rounding out National Dairy Month and we would be remiss if we didn’t shine the spotlight on cheese. The world has a love affair with cheese and it’s easy to see why. From delicate to robust, crunchy to smooth, cheese enhances almost any meal, can be eaten as a snack or treat, and can also replace most meals, including dessert.
June is National Dairy Month which was originally called National Milk Month. The initiative started in 1937 to encourage more consumption of milk. Since 1939, it’s been called National Dairy Month and gives us a reason to celebrate all things dairy…which gives a great reason to talk about cheese (as if we need a reason)!
Did you know:
It takes ten pounds of milk to make one pound of cheese
There are more than 600 varieties of cheese in the US and over 1800 varieties in the world
Cheddar is the most popular cheese in the US but globally, mozzarella takes the top spot.
There are 7 different cheese categories: fresh, fresh aged, soft-ripened, semi-hard, hard, Blue, and flavored.
Below we’ve highlighted cheeses in 5 different categories that you can find at PFC.
Juusto from Pasture Pride (Semi-Hard Cheese)
Leipäjuusto is Finnish for bread cheese. This cheese is traditionally made from the milk of a cow that has recently calved. Commercial preparations use curdled cheese set into round discs or squares a few centimeters thick. Then, the cheese is baked or flambéed to give it its distinctive brown or charred marks. Traditionally, this cheese is cut into slices and served with coffee or cubed, covered with cream, sugar, and cinnamon, and baked. Consider substituting for feta in a salad or as slices with some fresh jam as a snack.
Apple Smoked Cheddar from Carr Valley Cheese (Flavored Cheese)
The award-winning Apple Smoked Cheddar from Carr Valley Cheese is a white cheddar made in a 12 lb wheel. The cheese is lightly smoked with apple wood and then hand rubbed with paprika to give it its signature look and taste. The smoky flavor in this cheese makes it an excellent addition to omelets, pizza, and salads, or keep it simple by simply toasting a generous slice between two slices of bread. This cheddar pairs well with whole grain mustard and a porter beer.
Saint Rocco Triple Crème Brie from Reny Picot (Soft-Ripened)
Soft-ripened cheeses are most often ripened from the outside in. You will recognize this type of cheese from the characteristic white, bloomy rind. Soft ripened cheese is still soft when chilled and can also be runny at room temperature. The Saint Rocco Triple Crème Brie is made in the old European style with 70% butterfat to create a very soft and gooey cheese. Saint Rocco pairs well with fresh fruits such as grapes, blackberries, strawberries, and dried fruit such as apricots, and dates. The traditional French way of eating Brie cheese is to slather a thick cut of fresh bread with butter and then spread the brie on top. Count us in!
Purple Haze Goat Cheese from Cypress Grove (Fresh Cheese)
Fresh cheese is in its very youngest form. It’s loved for its simplicity and singular flavors. Purple Haze from Cypress Grove is infused with lavender buds and fresh fennel pollen. Its name is derived from the Jimi Hendrix song of the same name due to the subtly purple hue of the cheese. Use Purple Haze as a dessert drizzled with honey and served with almonds or as an accompaniment to a heartier protein-based meal such as steak or lamb. Fun fact: until 25 years ago, goat cheese was hardly consumed in the US and was only imported from France. The goat cheese movement can be traced back almost exclusively to a passionate group of women in northern California.
Blue Cheese Crumbles from Boar’s Head in Rochester (Blue Cheese)
Mindoro Blue Cheese from Swiss Valley Farms in La Crosse
Blue cheese is a classification of cheese that has had the mold Penicillium added to the cheese either before or after curds form so the final product includes the signature blue or gray-blue mold throughout the cheese. Blue Cheese is generally aged in a temperature-controlled environment such as a cave. Blue Cheese can be enjoyed in a variety of different ways such as crumbled, spread, or even melted into or on top of foods. Boar’s Head Blue Cheese crumbles are unique in that they use premium vegetarian products to develop the cheese instead of animal rennet. We love Blue Cheese crumbled atop a juicy burger straight from the grill!