subject: Why To Buy Wisconsin Cheese [print this page] They don't call the people of Wisconsin cheese heads for nothing. For more than a century, the people there have raised the finest cows to produce the richest milk that they in turn craft into some of the best dairy products. There are so many reasons why one should buy Wisconsin cheese!
When shopping for the best and freshest cheese, check the packaging. Be sure to inspect it for rips or tears. Don't buy any that is damaged, dented, or expired. The cheese itself should have a smooth appearance with no visible cracking. Surface mold and dryness are a sign of exposure and should be avoided as well.
Shop with local retailers or markets that get frequent shipments to ensure the freshest products. Be sure that there is the Wisconsin seal stamped on the product. This is the best way to be sure you are getting a fine product and not an impostor.
There are three things that must be done to store cheese properly. Keep it in a clean refrigerator. If the refrigerator is dirty or has a lot of strong smelling foods in it like onion, the cheese can actually absorb the odor and take on that taste. Be sure it's kept cold between 34 and 38 degrees. Ensure the cheese is covered tightly. When it's exposed to air it hardens and loses it's flavor.
Use sharpened utensils when slicing it. A smooth edged knife, grater, or slicer will do nicely. Slice it while it's cold, fresh from the refrigerator. Hard cheeses can be room temperature. Cut off surface molding or dry edges before serving.
Some of the most popular types of cheeses are blue, hard, pasta filata, processed, semi hard, semi soft, soft and fresh, and soft ripened. Blue cheese is actually rippled with harmless mold to give it a distinct and bold flavor. Hard varieties like Parmesan or asiago are delicious when grated over fresh pasta and can also be used in cooking. Pasta filata includes mozzarella and provolone, which are known for the way they stretch when heated making them perfect on pizzas.
When you go to buy Wisconsin cheese consider the popular semi hard or semi soft kinds. These are cheddar, Colby, Monterrey Jack, muenster, to name a few. They are delicious when sliced and served fresh with crackers or bread, but are also great for melting and cooking with. Macaroni is a classic dish made out of a blend of them. Elegant tastes will enjoy soft ripened varieties like Brie. Serve it with melba toast and grapes. Soft fresh kinds like cream cheese go great on a bagel or use it to thicken pasta sauce. Cottage cheese is delicious on it's own or served with fruit.
