Basic Types of Cheese

What are some basic types of cheese? Is the cheese you eat as your pizza topping and the cheese you spread on crackers the same? How long can you store cheese? And how do you store it? What is the difference between processed and aged cheese? Some basic types of cheeses include, fresh, semi-soft, soft and, uncooked and processed.

Fresh, or unripened, cheese is very spread-able and is most typically used in dips and cheesecakes. Spreads are very popular also and can be paired with bagels and crackers. Examples of fresh cheese might include cottage cheese and cream cheese. This cheese has a very recognizable taste and it extremely popular in cooking.

Semi-soft cheeses are soft and pliable, meaning elastic. These cheeses are used most likely in pastas and fondues. They are often recognized for their easiness to melt. Mozzarella is a great example of a semi-soft cheese.

Soft cheese is most easily recognized by a tangy aftertaste. Most often a velvety, soft growth will appear as part of the aging process. Brie is a great example of a soft cheese. Others can be found in appetizers and as snacks.

Cooked or pressed cheese can be recognized by its hard, smooth texture and holey appearance. This cheese can be found often as our pizza and pasta topping. Examples include parmesan and Swiss. This type of cheese is hardly ever used for anything but topping due to its’ hard flavor.

Uncooked pressed cheese is firm and elastic. This particular type of cheese is aged to determine the flavor. For example, young cheese has a very mild flavor. As the cheese is aged the flavor becomes more pronounced, nuttier and spicier. Toppings and snacks are the most common use for uncooked pressed cheese. A few of these cheeses include brick, cheddar and Colby.

Lastly, the most popular cheese by far is the processed cheese. These are mainly in the form of slices and spreads. This cheese is made by blending one or more cheeses together. They often have additives such as herbs, nuts, spices, fruits and vegetables in hopes of enhancing the flavor. They can most often be found in spreads and on sandwiches.

When storing cheeses use the original container and place it in the fridge. Try to use the cheese quickly, as mold will soon set in. To control mold wipe cooking oil on the cut end. As mold forms, it will only spread to these areas covered in oil. Upon use, simple cut off or wash off the affected area. To store aged-cheese you must create a breathable environment. Be sure to store cheese in a container where it does not touch anything else but similar cheese. This is accomplished by storing the cheese in a container lined with wet dish towels or wet paper towels. This would be suitable for long-term storage. For short-term storage, a large Ziploc bag will do. Be sure to punch holes in the bag to make it breathable and lay it on a damp dish towel.

Cheeses are extremely popular due to their versatility and unique flavors. No matter what your taste buds are craving, there is a cheese to suit your desire.