I think that’s how the saying goes. Or maybe it’s cleanliness. But that one doesn’t sound as fun.
Here’s the bottom line. I’m a cheese lover and I know I’m not alone. Just a few tweets out there about cheese and I can see others revere this dairy product as much as I do.
Here’s what I am: a cheese connoisseur.
I know my cheeses quite well. I know the stinky cheeses and the smoked cheeses and the aged cheeses. Don’t try to give me a double cream brie when I have very clearly asked for a triple cream brie. I know the difference.
And if you haven’t ventured beyond the typical cheddar lately, here are two of my absolute favorites.
Fromager D’Affinois (Pssst. It’s French.)
You’ll look at this cheese and say it’s brie. And I’ll say, how dare you sir? This is an extra smooth, creamy cheese with a “soft oozing texture inside.” Okay, I didn’t write that copy. Because it makes it sound gross. But it is heaven in my mouth. And if you feel funny about eating the rind? This has one that is so soft and delicate, you won’t even know you’re eating it.
Now I’ll help you out in case you need to ask for it by name and you flunked 7th grade French.
fro-ma-jay doe-fin-wa
Wensleydale
It’s a mild, crumbly English cheese. You should be able to pronounce it. It’s an English word and luckily it’s not an English word like “Worcestershire” which still baffles me with the pronunciation.
I’m going to be honest. I used to be a huge fan of Wensleydale cheese with cranberries. But I’m giving it up. I don’t want to eat it anymore. Because I’ve found something better. Wensleydale with blueberries. I will tell you this. Some people absolutely love this cheese. And some absolutely hate it. You can guess which team I’m on.
Here’s what I’m not: a cheese snob.
I’ve often confessed my love of macaroni and cheese. As you may know, it can be an upscale dish. I’ve tried it with caramelized onions and truffle oil. It’s wonderful. But you know what makes the best macaroni and cheese?
Velveeta
I’ll admit Velveeta is actually a brand name and not a cheese name. But I just thought it sounded better than Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product.
That’s right. I eat cheese product. And Velveeta is the smoothest, meltiest cheese around. Perfect for macaroni, cheeseburgers, or any other gooey creation you’re making.
Port Wine
You know what I’m talking about here. That little tub of orange and pink swirled cheese that your family bought only during the holidays because it was so expensive? The tub that you always wanted to shove in your mouth without any crackers because you knew once your dad got a hold of it there would be nothing left? Or was that just my family?
Back in the day, our port wine cheese actually came in a ceramic crock. That was back when companies trusted consumers with breakable containers and their liability rates weren’t as high.
And now that I’ve brought you this far, I know you must truly be a cheese lover like me. So you will completely understand my ulterior motive for leading you down this rabbit hole.
I was asked to review some cheese.
Stop laughing. I’m not kidding.
I said yes, of course. In fact, I think I said YES, YES, YES. And I was sent a new mystery flavor of Laughing Cow cheese. My job? Try the cheese. And then give it a little personality. Write up a short one liner about the flavor, put it online, and then let the people decide which personality seems just right.
My assigned flavor was the Light Queso Fresco & Chipotle cheese. The contest is now over but won’t you please share your favorite cheese?
***
Disclosure: I was asked to participate in a Laughing Cow Wedge contest to personify their new cheese flavors. I was provided a cheese sample for the project. And who really needs to know more than that? I was not required to write a post about cheese. But since I write from the heart, this post came naturally. After the voting period ends, the author of the winning entry for each flavor will receive a gift basket of The Laughing Cow products and accessories valued at $150.
31 comments
Hmm, I’m sensing perhaps a series here — introduce your readers to a few cheeses each month? I’m like you: I love a board of stinky oozy cheese, and I love a supermarket cheeseball too. I believe Christmas is cheese season — my rationalization to indulge.
I’m really hoping for the Cheese Council or whatever to hire me as their official blogging spokeperson. Then again, I have lots of dreams.
I love cheese and really can’t understand why my hubby does not like cheese .. or chocolate – trying to remember now why we married
I’m not a big fan of chocolate. I think something got messed up in my genetic make up. Luckily, my husband is a fan of both. However, he prefers to eat a hamburger (i.e., no cheese). That is totally unacceptable in my book.
*DROOL*
I love cheese.
Oh goodness me, how I love cheese.
🙂
Cheese. Is. Awesome.
i LOVE laughing cow cheese on toasted bagels. love.
and havarti is my fave real cheese. so is brie. ok, i love cheese. i can’t keep too much of it in my house or i’ll eat it all.
yum.
I see you are a fun of the high fat, super creamy cheeses like me. Hello, new best friend.
I love cheese as well! I am a lover of all cheeses but especially the creamy ones like Laughing Cow. Yum-O! I wish I could live on cheese. I used to say my four favorite food groups are: bread,cheese, chocolate, and wine. Totally. Awesome.
I love cheese. I cannot pick a favorite. It would be like picking which child is my favorite. (Even though I do have a favorite child right now. I can’t help it. My three-year-old is just utterly unlikable these days.)
I really want to try that blueberry one now.
By the way, my husband is English, and he and his family are appalled at the way I pronounce Worcestershire. My MIL won’t even let me say it in her presence.
Please tell me you don’t say Wor-chester-shire. And I hope you’ve never been to London. You would blow their minds with the way you would say Leicester Square.
Wensleydale is awesome with blueberries or cranberries. Great holiday cheese!
OMG. I sit here eating a string cheese as I read this. How appropo … 🙂 I am quite jealous of you. First macaroni and cheese, and now a new flavor of cheese. Obviously I am not singing enough cheese praises to get me some fun gigs like that! Off to vote for you now, but man, you’d better share those winnings with me! Say cheese! 😀
I think I have a cheese aura. But remember, that mac & cheese gig? I begged and pleaded to be a part of that. I always say to follow your dreams.
This is my favorite post on the interwebz, ever. I love cheese so much it’s stupid. I went on Atkins a few years ago and lost 20 pounds in a month because I lived on cheese and most cheeses have no carbs. I melted mozzarella into a bowl and ate it like pudding. Mmmm, cheese pudding….
A cheese diet? You might have something there.
You know the cheese dip you get at Mexican restaurants? That would be my pudding. And now I want some.
Just voted. 😉
I have yet to meet a cheese I didn’t like.
From American (what?) to Gorgonzola to extra-sharp white cheddar. Love love love.
We eat our weight in Skinny Cow cheese at our house. We smear it on vegetable crackers. Yum.
Oh I LOVE gorgonzola on a salad. So you are a non-snob cheese connoisseur like me. We should start a club 😉
I learned when I moved here that I love D’Affinois potatoes! They’re like scalloped potatoes, but creamier and yummier and so European :).
You definitely have the cheese advantage living in Europe.
My favovrite cheese is cheddar. But I was brought up in South Georgia. I never even heard the word brie until I was in my twenties. By then it was too late. My palate was RUINED.
And uh, pass the Velveeta, ya hear?
I’m down with a good cheddar. Especially if it’s from Wisconsin. There IS a difference. But maybe it’s time to retrain that palate of yours.
this post is awesome!!!!!!!! am sending it to my husband right now. he is obsessed with cheese!
If you’ve got to be obsessed about something, cheese is a good place to start 🙂
Hey! Voting is closed – boo!
LOve this post, and I can’t even begin to tell you what I like, for real … it’s so long. Fresh Mozzerella (yum!), Blue Cheese or Gorgonzola on salads, Baby Swiss on sandwiches, or maybe pepper jack! I’m a giant nerd, and just like sitting down with a big block of cheese and water crackers ,,,,,
I know, I know. They told me the day I posted this that they were closing voting. But I’m starting to get a better picture of the girls weekend. Wine and CHEESE!!!! My husband ALWAYS keep water crackers in the house. I’m a Wheat Thins kind of girl, though 😉
Sorry I missed voting 🙁
My favourite cheese is Brie…. baked preferably. Cheese is the #1 reason why I could never go Vegan.
No biggie. The plea for votes was more of an after thought. You would die from my baked brie. I use whole cranberry sauce on top and wrap the whole thing in a puff pastry. Then I eat every last oozing bite.
I love cheese but am no connoisseur, I eat what taste good to my palate. But now? I’m dying to try the first 2 you mentioned!
Ughhh…I had to read this *JUST* when I talked myself out of going to the cheese shop! Crud…maybe I need to go now. I’ve never had either of the cheese you mentioned. I am now…on…a mission. 🙂 And Velveeta? I couldn’t agree more. I don’t care how fancy people get with their Mac & Cheese…it never turns out without the processed cheese. How does THAT sound coming from someone who eats organic? Always exceptions 🙂 Nice post!
I love cheese. One of my current favorites is Dubliner. I’m a huge fan of Gouda. Mom used to splurge on it, so it’s a happy kid memory. We also used to get the summer sausage from Pepperidge Farm & a ceramic crock of cheese. Those were the days.
Chris & I still eat entire meals of cheese.
Mmm.. cheese. I love all kinds. Gouda (smoked, or extra old with caraway seeds), stinky (Limburger is a favourite… for realz!), edam, brie, etc. And yes, I love wesleydale too! YUM. I’m in Canada and we have some really nice local cheeses here too. A favourite is called “Champfleury” and it is so buttery and creamy and delicious. It is a washed rind, so a bit stinky, and I just love it. I dont know the availability of it outside of Canada, but if you can get a hold of it, I highly recommend it! http://www.pleasureandcheeses.ca/cheeses/champfleury