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 […]
Interview with A Mongolian Cheesemaker
To find out about Mongolia’s cheese scene, culture caught up with Tumurkhuyag Urtnasan, one of the country’s first artisan makers to craft European-style cheeses. Tumurkhuyag Urtnasan didn’t always make cheese. In 1992, right after the fall of communism in Mongolia, he was a vice governor in the Altanbulag district, a very sparsely populated region in […]
Ask the Monger: How Long Can Cheese Sit Out of the Fridge?
How long can cheese sit out of refrigeration? Awesome question! It’s one I get a lot at the counter, especially in the summertime. Unfortunately, there isn’t one simple answer: It all depends on the cheese. Generally speaking, those with a higher moisture content like fresh cheeses, soft cheeses, or anything especially squishy don’t do as […]
