Ask the Monger: What is Listeria?
Here’s what you need to know about Listeria, a large group of bacteria that’s sometimes found in soil, animal bedding, and areas on farms.
Ask the Monger: What’s the Difference Between Blue Pockets and Streaks?
Here’s all you need to know about the difference between blue pockets and blue streaks in different types of cheese.
The Search for the Oldest Cheese in the World
Forgotten wheels from the 19th century pose the question: How long can cheese age? Associate editor Molly McDonough heads to Switzerland to find out.
3 Cheeses That Look Like Manchego But Aren’t
These look-alikes will keep your Manchego-addicted palate just as satisfied.
Ask the Monger: What’s the Difference Between Cheese Curds and Cheese?
Gordon Edgar of Rainbow Grocery in San Francisco lays out the difference between cheddar curds and the cheese itself.
The Definitive Guide to Vegetarian Cheese
Rich and satisfying, cheese easily rivals carnivorous options. But if you think cheese is automatically the vegetarian alternative, think again.
Ask the Monger: How Do I Become A Cheesemonger?
How does one become a cheesemonger? I began my career as a cheesemaker in rural West Pawlet, Vermont. Due to the distance between the farm and our retail customers in NYC, a tremendous information gap existed. Is the cheese raw or pasteurized? Jersey milk or Ayrshire? From the Northeast Kingdom or the Slate Valley? I wanted to close that gap and tell […]
Ask the Monger: How Do I Learn to Taste Cheese Like An Expert?
How can I learn to taste cheese the way the experts do? Tasting doesn’t have to be formal or prescriptive—cheese is the great democratizer, that incredible distillation of dairy that anyone with taste buds (and lactose tolerance) can enjoy. The rules are simple: Taste often and taste deliberately. Start a journal or photo log of cheeses you taste and record your observations. While […]
Ask the Monger: What Cheese Do I Need to Try While in the UK?
I’m traveling to the UK. What cheese do I need to try? For anyone visiting the UK, especially for the first time, a West Country Cheddar is an absolute must-try! I recommend one from Keen’s or Montgomery’s, preferably aged around 14-18 months. Of course, another classic is a blue Stilton. I like the one from […]
