This category is traditionally associated … Gorgonzola is sometimes referred to as “Italian blue cheese.” It’s firm, … ; Caerphilly – light-coloured (almost white), crumbly cheese made from cow's milk, with a fat content around 48%.It has a mild taste, accented with slightly sour tang. You can also mix it into soups. Tel 1-800-243-3730. If you’re a pizza lover, you can also top your pizza with Gorgonzola crumbs. Aged for at least 12 months, the secret to its iconic flavor lies in its maturation. In Italy, it is used to top short pasta;  long pasta (spaghetti) is usually avoided. This cheese knife guide shows how to choose which knives are best for different types of cheese. Soft Cheese. Gorgonzola is sometimes referred to as “Italian blue cheese.” It’s firm, crumbly, salty and it also has blue veining. There are many copies made in the US because of its popularity. The texture is firm when young, becoming granular and crystallized as it ages. Beer’s freshness, carbonation and complex taste notes make it perfect for serving with a cheese platter. Types of hard cheese. Asiago, whether true or generic, is great for salads and pasta. Grana Padano goes great with anything that’s sweet, but you don’t want to miss out on dried fruits, slices of apples and figs. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Enjoy it with your usual pasta and salad. You can also enjoy it with other things for a quick snack or appetizer. We are all familiar with Ricotta, Pepper Jack, American Swiss, and Mozzarella cheese. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. The use of sheep’s milk allows for a richer, creamier consistency that grows granular and flaky as the seasons pass. VOTE. If you want to try to the real thing, you’ll have to look for the name specifically. This list of hard cheeses discusses some of the more popular types of hard cheese available. Don't know how much cheese to serve? Semi-hard cheese melts and spreads evenly when grated, with firmer and slightly older cheeses guaranteeing neat slices every time. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Parmigiano-Reggiano is perhaps the most popular hard cheese in the country. Do keep in mind that it barely touches the tip of the iceberg though. Medium-hard cheese Cheeses that range in texture from semi-soft to firm include Swiss-style cheeses such as Emmental and Gruyère. The cheese is made from goat milk and is salt to the taste. Share on Pinterest. Rate. SHARE. Many of them can be enjoyed by themselves, but being firmer in texture and sharper in taste, they are great when grated for pasta, salads, soups, and more. Sparkling wines like champagne and prosecco aren’t just festive – they also go extremely well with cheese. The maturation period of these cheeses is usually measured in years, not months. What is Hard Cheese? According to European law, it has to be made in a specific region in Italy. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. This thick and incredibly rich and creamy product is an essential element of tea time … Here's everything you need to know about how to store, serve and cut cheese! They’re dry and often crumbly. Read our guide to discover more about soft cheeses. Some cheddar varieties are considered semi-hard, particularly cheddar that hasn’t been aged long. You probably also recognize romano, but just like the others, true Pecorino Romano is only made in specific regions of Italy—thus the full name of Pecorino Romano DOP. Often savory, it can be divided into two categories: hard (such as Parmesan), and semi-hard (such as Gouda). Its color ranges from… Cheddar, colby and swiss cheese are some examples of high fat cheese. Or you can just eat it on its by itself. Hard cheese. Cocktails elevate any moment to a memorable occasion. To ripen a cheese to such an extent the cheesemaker must take extra care using the highest quality milk, starter cultures, and rennet. Even so, this mighty Italian cheese certainly holds its own against its close relative. You can also enjoy a few pieces by itself. Choosing low-fat or fat-free versions of these cheeses will reduce or eliminate fat. A grating cheese is so hard that it is difficult to cut, and is often served as shards or shredded over a dish. This wonderful cheese from France has mild flavors and a soft and creamy texture. If you’re content with a similar—yet still untrue—taste then you can settle for the generic parmesan. Tropical makes a lot of good (and affordable) Central American fresh cheeses, but they also sell less exciting things like cheddar and this “imitation pasteurized process cheese food.” The idea of an imitation processed cheese—an imitation of an imitation—is interesting in an ontological sense but doesn’t taste amazing. There are multiple ways to describe, organize and classify cheese- including texture, milk type, and place of origin. Some of the more popular Italian choices are Parmigiano and Romano. The freshness of the white wine, the perfumed notes and the combination of sweetness and acidity suit many cheeses. Most hard cheeses develop a natural and tough rind, amassing an abundance of flavor over time. Cheeses can be fermented for anywhere from weeks to months. But there are different types of cheese that not everyone is aware of. Do you think that you’ve never heard of this cheese? The texture, taste and appearance of Grana Padano is often mistaken for that of Parmigiano-Reggiano. A well-aged cheese will be more flavorful, less creamy and grainier in texture. Try pairing it with cured meats; they go lovely together. Residing in the heartland of La Mancha, Manchego cheese is as much a native as it is a product of the region. Many of the most popular hard cheeses for consumers in the United States are Italian cheeses, but there are plenty more that are from different parts of the world. True Asiago D’allevo is produced only around the Asiago Plateau in the Veneto region of Italy. To add an extra kick to your soup, try shaving some asiago and mixing it into the soup. There’s nothing wrong with copies, but sometimes, you just want the original, and authentic version. Go with freshly grated cheese. Gorgonzola. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Finally, the cheese is aged for between two and 36 months, and in some cases even longer. We can say that what distinguishes soft cheeses from other types of cheses is the content of water that in soft cheeses is high, generally more than 45%. Being firm—harder—is what makes it a hard cheese. Like I’ve been saying, parmesan is a term used to refer to the unauthentic versions of Parmigiano-Reggiano. If honey isn’t your thing, you’re not out of options just yet. This is where semi-hard and semi-soft cheeses come in. Many of them are not hard and many of them from various parts of the world. Grating cheeses have such low moisture contents that they are shelf-stable. Too hard to eat on their own, the rinds add decadence when mixed into soups, sauces and stews. Grana Padano is another hard Italian cheese that is similar to Parmigiano-Reggiano. Clotted Cream. Use this list as a place to start and embark on your journey from here. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Example Sentences. All the top cheeses with a hard texture are included below. Taleggio, Brie, Camembert, Stracchino are just some examples of soft cheeses. What’s the name? It is nutty, with light touches of sweet fruit and spice. You probably know it by the more commonly used name that’s used to refer to the copies of the original. Want something a little more filling? Or blue cheese vs American cheese on a salad. Crowned the king of cheeses, this Italian pure-blood is sharp, intense and full-bodied in taste. Soft cheese is basically the opposite of hard cheese – mild and not-so-firm. Your cheese consists of several layers of flavor, and the taste may differ depending on where you cut it. Grana-Padano. These cultures feed on the lactose in the milk, producing lactic acid as a byproduct. Still maintaining a sense of smoothness, the texture is granular and firm, often forming natural salt crystals with age, and in turn producing a crumbly body, perfect for running through a cheese grater. Cheese comes in a multitude of textures and flavours, for example: Fresh cheese: Ricotta, Cottage cheese and Mozzarella; Soft ripened cheese: Feta, Camembert and Brie; Semi hard and hard cheese: Swiss cheese, Cheddar, Edam, Gouda, Colby, Muenster, Parmesan, Pecorino and Romano You can use it for, you guess it, pasta and salads. What’s the difference between Parmesan and Parmigiana-Reggiano? This hard cheese list is alphabetical and sortable by column. Here, it might not matter so much, but in the European region, this hard cheese has to meet very specific standards for it to use the name Parmigiano-Reggiano legally. This process is often called aging, but it is actually a type of fermentation. Well, hard cheese; he’ll have to keep doing that. Take a look. Just like with parmesan, the term asiago is used to refer to generic copies of the original. Parmigiano-Reggiano goes perfect grated over pasta and salads. Curious about the world of cheese? or you can enjoy it by itself. It appears … Regardless of classification system, many varieties of cheese cross over from one category to another. The list of hard cheeses includes popular types such as Parmesan, Pecorino, and Grana-padano cheese; Firm cheese (semi-hard cheese). The family of hard cheeses include Parmesan, Pecorino, Manchego & Grana-Padano. Its popularity may be because the flavors are similar to parmesan. What is soft cheese? If you’re looking for quality, authentic cheese, I highly recommend Di Bruno Bros. Here's a simple guide to help you serve cheese for lunch, dinner, dessert & as a snack! Buchette. I’m sure you’ve enjoyed it with your pasta many times (who hasn’t?). While semi-soft cheeses are moist and creamy, semi-hard cheeses tend to be on the drier side, but not hard and crumbly, just firm and pliable and dense. The texture is firm when young, ... Pecorino. "Grated cheese can stretch flavor further," says Maples. That’s what he is paid for. Other semi-soft to firm cheeses include Gouda, Edam, Jarlsberg, Cantal, and Kashkaval/Cașcaval. Not into sweets? The true Parmigiano-Reggiano—more on that later—is only overshadowed by its copies. Before popping open that expensive bottle of red wine for your cheese board, check out these tips for what red wine to serve with cheese. https://www.menshealth.com/nutrition/a27546942/low-fat-cheese Hard cheeses require the addition of renin or a renin substitute, and all fermented cheeses need live cultures added to them. Remember that the DOP indicates it is protected and only cheeses with the full name are authentic Pecorino Romano. Semi-hard (or semi-firm) cheeses usually become crumblier and more pungent as they age, but while young they are firm and flavorful. As the name suggests, hard cheese is firm. This Italian classic, made using fresh milk from sheep, has been produced in the same way for over two millennia. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. It takes hard cheese years to mature, and once it’s ripe, these cheese require extra care. If you want to get the best out of it, try pairing it with some honey lightly drizzled with the cheese. Pair with fresh figs, honey and white wine. Just like the other hard Italian cheeses, there are plenty of generic varieties of the true Pecorino Romano. Parmigiano-Reggiano. How to store your cheese – and watch for signs that the cheese has gone bad - get the answers here! It’s really hard cheese for them. Dense, complex and often with strong notes of hazelnut and sautéed butter, hard cheeses bring depth wherever they go. Often favored for their umami taste, like that of a rich broth or slowly cooked stew. DOP means “Denominazione di Origine Protetta” which just means it’s from the protected origin or in other words, it’s authentic—the real stuff. Types of Hard Cheeses. Or you can try a lower fat version of one of these hard cheeses. Their rounded and tangy nuances work wonders in dishes and salads, offering a wholesome experience when enjoyed on their own. Feta is a soft, salty, white cheese originally from Greece. The construction workers have a tough time out there, working continuously in the sweltering heat. Click here to create your taste profile and get matched with food you'll love! It’s Parmesan; see, I told you, didn’t I? The same bacteria that give such cheeses their eyes also contribute to their aromatic and sharp flavours. Examples: Somerset Brie, Bath Soft, Kidderton Ash. Slightly milder, the body is less granular, only requiring 9 months of maturation. Soft. Not really sure what to serve with your cheese? He’s complaining because he has to read and correct all the documents manually, is he? Arla Foods Inc. | 106 Allen Rd, 4th Floor | Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 Cheddar – relatively hard, pale yellow to off-white (unless coloured with additives), and sometimes sharp-tasting. You can of course use regular knives, but there is just something about having the right tools for the job! This cheese category includes cheeses like Cheddar, Gouda, Provolone, and Marble cheese; Blue mold cheese such as Roquefort, Gorgonzola, Stilton, and Danish Blue (Danablu) cheese; Soft cheese. With the wide variety of cocktail types and flavors, there is a drink that can be tailored perfectly to match your cheese board. It’s aged for at least five months or more to achieve the proper firmness. Feta. Production involves separating and draining most of the whey before pressing the curd, which is then either brined to create a hard rind or waxed. Semi-hard cheeses often are characterized by soft touches of hazelnuts and seared butter, along with a diverse lineup of mellow nuances. Aging determines the intensity of the flavor. Pair with walnuts, zesty pear and champagne or sparkling wine. Your choices are quite wide and varied. Slightly milder than Parmigiano-Reggiano, notes of spice and caramelized butter stretch its palate in union, offering a savory and full-bodied profile. To ensure that you enjoy all aspects of your cheese, you should consider the shape when cutting. Hard cheese is cheese that is aged longer, and thus, has a lower moisture content. Beer goes surprisingly well with cheese – better, sometimes, than with wine, according to many. It’s aged between 9 to 16 months and has many uses. You’ve just begun exploring the wonderful and deliciously rewarding world of cheese. Hailing from France, this raw cow’s milk cheese is smooth and dense with a mild, pleasing flavor. Hard Cheeses deserve a place on any great cheese plate. Any hard cheeses made with different kinds of milk, sources, ages, ingredients, brands and areas. Example: sharp cheddar vs Colby on a sandwich or in a casserole. And it’s … These cookies do not store any personal information. There are many more delicious kinds of cheese out there to try. How can they be unauthentic? Here is a short list of different types of hard cheese. The family of hard cheeses include Parmesan, Pecorino, Manchego & Grana-Padano. Hard (or firm) cheese are pigeon-holed as they are used as grating cheese. List includes Alpine Shepherd, Pleasant Ridge Reserve, more. Ashdown Foresters – cow's milk hard cheese made in England with a sweet, nutty flavour. Below we explore some of the commons ways that c… We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cheese can have a lot of fat. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Pair with honey, figs and roasted walnuts. Brie. Pair it with something sweet help balance the saltiness of the cheese. This is a raw-milk goat cheese that has originated from an area named ‘Anjou’ in the Loire … They always provide high quality, at amazing prices. Gently opening with a mild tang, flavors linger on the palate, calmly followed by a sharp and aromatic finish. Lucky for you, cheese is a great match for a lot of different drink types - how about a dark stout, a gin and tonic, or a fruity and sweet white wine? Manchego. Some cheeses don’t fit well into either hard or soft cheese groupings. Explore our guides and find the perfect choice of drink for your next party! It’s typically made … Freuently they are aged for multiple years. Examples include Parmigiano Reggiano, Dry Jack, and Pecorino Romano. Havarti would be an example of a semi-soft cheese, since it isn’t quite as soft as something like a spreadable brie or ricotta but isn’t aged to hard cheese level. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Try some olives or even walnuts. The family of hard cheeses has members aged both in history and maturation. You can enjoy just like the other cheeses listed above (pasta, etc.) Crowned the king of cheeses, this Italian pure-blood is sharp, intense and full-bodied in taste. For instance, a Gouda-style cheese can be sold to customers at many different ages, and therefore textures; can have a natural or waxed rind; and can be made from different milk types, and be produced in Europe and across the United States. Authentic Asiago D’allevo will have the DOP designation after its name. The blue veining is what gives it an extra bite. For example, I was recently sent a sample of Grana Padano cheese, which has a … I can assure you that you know it. 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Prior to running these cookies on your browsing experience one of these cookies may have an effect on journey.