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Cheese

What would your favourite sandwich taste like without a good slice of cheese?  Cheese is included in a variety of dishes and can be paired with just about anything, from chocolate  to wine.  Most types are made from the milk of cows, buffalo, goats or sheep, and it is a food that has been around so long that its origins predate recorded history!

Overview

Popular cheeses all had to start somewhere. Below, a summary on where each cheese comes from and what kind of taste you can expect when you take a bite.

American Cheese : It's not hard to guess where this cheese originates from! There are two types: white and yellow.

Taste: Very mild.

Blue Cheese : This hard, crumbly cheese is typically named for the region where it is produced. It is often used on salads as blue cheese dressing. 

Taste: Sharp and slightly bitter.

Brie Cheese : This soft dessert cheese originates from France and is encased in a rind. Pairs well with jam  and fruit. 

Taste: Mild and rich.

Cheddar Cheese : Originally manufactured in the town of Cheddar in England, this hard cheese is copied in various other countries.

Taste: Sharp.

Cottage Cheese : This creamy, lumpy cheese is produced in many regions around the world. It is typically eaten with a spoon and can be mixed with fruit.

Taste: Mild and sweet.

Cream Cheese : This spreadable cheese is said to have originated from a variety of places including the United States, England and France.  It is most popularly used on breakfast foods like bagels  and in cheesecakes. 

Taste: Sweet and creamy

Goat Cheese : A soft, crumbly cheese that is produced in many areas and is often named according to country. The most popular type is feta cheese,  which originates from Greece.

Taste: Salty and tangy.

Gruyere Cheese : A hard cheese that was first produced in Switzerland and is often used in fondue.  France has also produced some notable gruyeres and they use it in their popular French Onion Soup. 

Taste: Sweet and nutty.
 

Monterey Jack Cheese : This American-made cheese also comes in pepper jack,   cheddar jack,  or colby jack  varieties. The spicier blends are frequently used in Spanish foods such as quesadillas. 

Taste: Some blends are bland and buttery while others are spicy.

Muenster Cheese : This is a smooth white American cheese with an orange rind.

Taste: Depending on the aging, it can have a mild or a strong flavour.

Mozzarella Cheese : This soft, moist cheese originates from Italy and contains multiple variations, such as the popular mozzarella di bufala,  made from water and buffalo milk. This is most popularly used on pizza  and in pasta  dishes.

Taste: Sweet and mild.

Parmesan Cheese : A hard, crumbly cheese also from Italy, it is known more commonly as grated cheese  and often used on top of soups or pasta.

Taste: Salty and mild.  

Provolone Cheese : A hard Italian cheese with a thin rind.

Taste: Sharp.

Ricotta Cheese : The last of the Italian cheeses. This is similar in texture to cottage cheese but is firmer and can be used in cooking.

Taste: Sweet and light.

Swiss Cheese : Borrowing its name from Switzerland, this cheese is now produced all around the world. This semi-hard cheese is recognised for the multiple holes it sports in each slice.

Taste: Bitter-sweet and tangy.

Related Guides

So that's it, the run-down, the biggest of big cheeses, and now you don't have to wonder about the wedge. For more information on cheese, its pairings and accessories, check out our other guides.

Wine

Fondue Pots

Food & Wine Pairing

Graters

External Links