Tips for Buying Cheese

1) Find a cheese shop with a knowledgeable staff who are willing to teach you and let you taste as many cheeses as you want.

Trust me, there are so many different types of cheeses from all parts of the world that you really need to find an expert to help educate you and guide your choices, and any good cheesemonger will be happy to let you sample the wares.

2) Ask to try a different cheese every time you go into a market that sells cheese.

With the vast array of specialty cheeses available these days, it would be a shame to limit yourself to just a favored two or three cheeses. Trying one or two new cheeses whenever you visit the cheese shop can help expand and educate your palate and expose you to cheeses you might otherwise not have tried. 

3) Start with the three main milk types (goat, sheep or cow). Figure out which you like best, second, third. If there is one you really dislike, fine, you just made it easy for future choices.

Each of the three main milks used to make cheese has its own unique characteristics and flavor profiles which, of course, show up in the resulting cheese.

4) Try different textures (soft, semi-soft, hard) to see which appeals to you most.

Texture certainly plays a part in taste sensation. Mouthfeel is important to the overall flavor profile. Most cheeses change texture as they age, so you can even ask to try younger and aged versions of the same cheese to see if you are drawn to a particular texture.

5) Try the same cheese from different countries. You will be surprised at some of the differences.

 Again, your cheesemonger can help you find cheeses from different countries made in similar styles to help you further expand your palate.

6) Read about cheese in one of the many great books on the subject. 

There are several very good books about cheese available If you don't have access to a wonderful local cheese shop, or you don't want to feel obligated to spend money every time you want to learn about a couple of new cheeses, having a good cheese resource book on hand can be invaluable. You can find information on everything from the steps in the cheese making process to the characteristics of different cheeses to some great idea for food and wine pairings.