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Swiss Cheese
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Per Lb.
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Description of Ohio Swiss Cheese
Our Amish swiss
cheese is made locally in Pearl Valley, Ohio. The time honored process for making swiss cheese was
brough here from Switzerland by the local population of Amish and Mennonite
people. At Shisler’s we have selected
what we believe to be the best locally made swiss cheese. Our Swiss cheese can also make an excellent low cost substitute for Gruyere cheese.
History of Swiss Cheese
Our locally made Amish swiss
cheese closely resembles the original Swiss Emmental Cheese,
which was originally produced in the Swiss canton of Bern . Local Swiss cheese has a distinctive
appearance, as the blocks of the cheese are riddled with holes known as
"eyes". Swiss cheese is known for its nutty, bittersweet
taste.
What Causes Holes in Swiss Cheese?
The process of making Swiss Cheese involves certain natural bacteria consuming the
lactic acid in the cheese and releasing carbon dioxide gas, which slowly forms
the bubbles that create the perfectly round holes that characterize Swiss
cheese. Cheese experts often refer to
these holes as “eyes.”
Why Ohio Swiss Cheese is Better
This is often debated, but generally the larger
the eyes, the more pronounced the flavor of the cheese. The reason for this is that the conditions
that provide the ideal flavor, longer aging at higher temperatures, are also
the ideal conditions for the enzymes and bacteria to create larger eyes. This poses a problem for makers of
pre-sliced Swiss cheese. Cheese with large eyes doesn't slice well,
sometimes coming apart in mechanical slicers. This costs time and money and is
one reason why US manufacturers usually produce a product less aged and flavorful
than the Amish swiss cheese made in Northeastern Ohio.
It is also essential that the milk used in making the
cheese comes from specific types of cows that graze in specific grasses. All of those elements are present in Holmes
County Ohio, and the milk is provided by local Amish farmers who do not give
their cows hormones or antibiotics or add preservatives to the milk. The result is a Swiss cheese that tastes as
good, if not better than the original Emmentaler that is imported from
Switzerland, at approximately 1/3 the price.
Baby Swiss is another related
cheese. Made by substituting water for the milk's whey to slow bacterial
action, Baby Swiss cheese has smaller holes and a milder flavor. Baby Swiss is
made from whole milk.
Lacy Swiss is a further variety
of US small hole Swiss cheese made with low fat milk.
Wine Pairing with Ohio Swiss Cheese
Ohio Swiss cheese
pairs very well with numerous wines, but the most popular pairings are Cabernet
Sauvignon and Merlot. Beaujolais and
Pinot Noir are also great matches. If
you prefer white wine, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc pair well with
Ohio Swiss cheese. And for the beer
lover, Ohio Swiss cheese goes well with Lager, Pale Ale, and Weiss Beer.
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Price is per Lb. Actual weight may vary up to 10%.
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Price is per Lb. Actual weight may vary up to 10%.
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Price is per Lb. Actual weight may vary up to 10%
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Product Reviews
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