The Cheese Experience
Welcome to the world of cheese, where a journey of discovery and taste exploration is waiting for you!
Cheese lovers around the world have long known that to love cheese is to begin a never-ending quest for the next cheese fix. Luckily, with so many wonderful cheeses to choose from, a fabulous flavour experience is as close by as your fridge.
Here in Australia, we are spoilt for choice with both quality locally-produced cheese styles and also a good selection of imported varieties. Whether you are buying from the dairy case or deli, getting to know cheese happens best by trial and taste. Be adventurous and open to new flavours and styles and you will be richly rewarded with pure pleasure.
A Sensory Experience
The enjoyment of cheese is a sensory experience that truly needs to be savoured using all our senses.
Sight
Firstly, as you approach a cheese, stop and take the time to observe and admire the colour, texture, surface rind, softness, crumbliness, freshness or age of the cheese.
Touch
Once you cut or pick up a piece of cheese, feel it between your fingertips,and take notice of its body, texture and temperature. Is it soft or hard, smooth or grainy?
Smell
Aromas will vary greatly from cheese to cheese depending on the style or age of the cheese. From mild and milky to full, earthy aromas that really make an impact.
Taste and Flavour
When eating a cheese, this is the time to really concentrate. Flavour is a combination of both taste and smell so take the time to savour. Can you taste salty, sweet, sour, bitter? Allow it to linger – are there any secondary-flavours?
Aged cheeses can also contain a fifth taste identified by the Japanese, called ‘umami’. Meaning delicious flavour in Japanese, it describes that meaty, savoury taste that is found in many foods including meat, broth, mushrooms and tomatoes.
Hearing
Even our hearing comes into play as we subtly detect things like the crunch of crystals in aged Parmesan or the ‘squeak’ of a young cheese in the mouth.
Pairing
Once you have tasted a cheese on its own, take the flavour experience to the next level with a matched accompaniment or drink.
Think salty with sweet, such as blue cheese with quince paste; or light
with light such as a delicate goat’s cheese with a bouncy sparkling
wine; or crisp and soft such as fresh grapes with creamy brie.
In matching food together, look for whether they complement, contrast or clash as you taste.
For example:
- Complement - the mushroomy flavour characteristics of Brie complement the yeasty aromas of sparkling wine
- Contrast - the creaminess and zest of fetta contrasts beautifully with the fresh but sweet acidity of ripe tomato
- Clash - the combination of blue cheese and red wine can form an unsavoury partnership with a strong, almost metallic after-taste
There are no rules when it comes to appreciating cheese, as so much
depends on your personal preferences, but the key is to pay attention
to what you eat, trust your tastebuds and just remember to savour!
Share and enjoy
Lastly, the pleasure of cheese is in the sharing so make sure to
pass it around, compare, discuss and enjoy it; with friends and family;
young and old!
