From small family-operated dairies to the aging rooms of renowned cheese makers, cheese has and still is, shaping the American food scene.
There are 300 different varieties of cheese produced in the United States, and according to the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, “Wisconsin produces 600 varieties, types and styles of American, international-style and original cheeses that win more awards than any other state or country.”
“Wisconsin has approximately 12,000 dairy farms,” says the Milk Marketing Board, “with over 1.26 million cows producing an average of 20,630 pounds of milk per year.” Wisconsin cheese makers then use 90% of that milk to make incredible cheeses, producing 2.6 billion pounds of cheese a year! Talk about your mac & cheese. That’s over 25% of all domestic cheese made in the United States.
Cheese is a favorite among the Taste of Home staff (especially Prairie Ridge Reserve from Upland’s Cheese) as the perfect afternoon snack, but when unexpected guests arrive or we need an appetizer for a dinner party, we love to pair cheese with beverages for a tantalizing indulgence. And like everything else delicious, with great cheese comes great pairing options.
Here are a few guidelines from the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board for pairing cheese with the proper accompaniments:
Soft/Fresh Cheeses
Cheeses like Mascarpone, Ricotta and Feta are perfect for dips and spreads. Try pairing them with honey or maple syrup for a sweet compliment to their salty taste. When it comes to beverages, light fruity wines pair will with their creaminess.
Soft-Ripened Cheeses
Brie and Camembert are wonderful when served at room temperature or right out of the oven. These cheeses pair well with berries, nuts and sun-dried tomatoes. A deep Pinot Noir, sparkling wine and fruit infused beer are a great accompaniment.
Semi-Hard Cheeses
The classic Wisconsin Cheddar is ideal with tangy apples and tart cranberries. Swiss and Gryuere are divine with chocolate and sweet pesto. Gouda and Edam are better suited with spiced nuts and peppers. Sparkling ciders and wines, along with pale ales, and stout beers blend well with these diverse cheeses.
Hard Cheeses
Asiago, Parmesan and Romano cheeses pair well with foods that pack a punch. Try spiced nuts, tangy vinegars and cured meats to bring out the nutty, buttery flavors. For a beverage pairing, serve them with fruit wines and a sweet Italian Prosecco.
For more cheese pairing tips visit eatwisconsincheese.com
Have some cheese but don’t know what to pair it with? Check out this interactive cheese pairing tool, compliments of the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board!
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We love cheese and we know you do too! Celebrate National Diary Month by telling us your favorite way to enjoy cheese. The winner will receive a cheese basket from the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board!
Giveaway Guidelines – THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED
Winner: Congrats LeslieAnn McGilvray!
Entries only accepted on this page. Facebook and Twitter entries do not count.
Giveaway will remain open until Wednesday, July 4th. 2012 at 12 p.m. CST. Winner will be chosen at random, notified by email and will have 48 hours to respond.
REQUIRED ENTRY:
Tell us your favorite way to enjoy cheese!
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I’ve never met a cheese that I don’t like! Brie and sharp cheddar are my favs!
Cheddar cheese slices are always served with homemade apple pie in this house…. In my humble opinion, it is the only way to eat apple pie!!!
I add bleu cheese and chives to our twice baked potatoes to have with steak. That’s a perfect pairing!
I add bleu cheese and chives to our twice baked potatoes to have with steak. That’s a perfect pairing!
I add bleu cheese and chives to our twice baked potatoes to have with steak.
I add blue cheese to twice baked potatoes!
I like to let the cheese come to room tempature before I eat it, it bring out a lot more flavor.
My favorite cheese is Muenster cheese..I eat is as a slice on a ham sandwich, but I also eat just the cheese as a snack.
I love cheese every which way! When I go out to eat, I especially love to see if they have a cheese plate. It’s a great way to try new kinds of cheese!
My favorite way of eating cheese is sliced (alone) or on a set of good crackers.
Cheeses are my comfort food. I like it best on crackers.
My parents were dairy farmers, and I LOVE cheeses of all kinds, but my favorite way to enjoy cheese is deep fried cheesecurds.
We like cheese on my homemade pizza on the grill. Yummy!!
Cheese if my all time favorite snack. I absolutely love it with homemade green chile enchiladas smothered with colby and cheddar. Yummy!! Making that for dinner tomorrow.
Post should read “Cheese is my all time favorite snack.” Sorry about typo.
Cheese in any form is delicious. I miss the squeeky sound of fresh Curd and still delight is the taste of Extra sharp Cheddar. The aroma of a Brick Cheese is great with Wine or a Good Wisconsin Beer. The many flovered varieties of Chedder can find a pairing with almost any Bar B Q. Cheese is the food for anyone.,
I like my cheese sliced … sitting upon a Ritz cracker. I like cheddar — sharp, that is!
couponshanda (at) yahoo (dot) com
Favorite way to eat cheese–as a snack with crackers, especially whole wheat crackers. And growing up near Gibbsville, WI, of course I especially like their cheese!
Just love eating cheese plain..or with crackers. If making a dish.. love cheese as a sauce with veggies fresh from the garden! Almost like a fondu!
Hmmm… there’s o one favorite way to enjoy cheese, it belongs on EVERYTHING!
My motto: Everything’s better with a good cheddar!
I LOVE all kind a cheese but a family favorite is at aged chedder cheese ( aged 6 or more).
Smoked String Cheese is the best! Love the MARS Cheese Castle
Grilled cheese sandwiches, with all types of cheeses.
I enjoy all kinds of cheese! I will eat cheese just about any way I can get it, but I must say that a slice of cheese on a Triscuit Cracked Black Pepper and Olive Oil cracker is one of my favorite snacks!
We LOVE cheese! We own a little shop in our area called The Cheese Shop and i don’t think there is a single cheese i don’t like! Love to fix Mac and Cheese,Grilled ham and cheese sandwiches and just pick up a chunk as a snack! Thank you for the chance!
My favorite way to eat cheese is with a little cracker, any cheese, I love all cheese wether it’s blue, cheddar, smoked baby Swiss or a brie. Cheese, yum!
My favorite way to enjoy cheese is sharing with others on a platter with crackers…and it doesn’t matter which kind…I love them all!!
I love all types of cheese but my favorite cheese is Muenster cheese!! Whoop whoop go Muenster!!
We love all kinds of cheese but my favorite way to eat it is straight off the block.
Squeaky curds are hard to beat, but I love cheese in almost any shape or form! As a child growing up in Wisconsin, a slice (or 6) off a block of fresh colby was sheer bliss.
melt 1 stick butter. saute1 diced onion.stir in salt and pepper to taste.then 1 cup flour
stir into a paste.Add 2 cups skim milk.cook and stir until thickened.Add 8 ounces of the sharpest cheddar cheese,cut in chunks. stir until melted.this sauce is great for mac n cheese/ augraten potatoes or anything you want a cheese sauce on.vegtables/chicken.
I love to combine muenster with mozzerella for pizza or lasagna.
love cheese like it sliced or in a toasted cheese sandwich thanks
I guess i don’t have a favorite way to enjoy cheese as i absolutely love cheese any time of the day, any size, shape or form and any flavor. YUM!!!!!
Cheese and wine with crackers and fruit are a popular summer dinner, and my nephew will eat any kind of cheese in a quesadilla!
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