Let’s explore the different cheeses and their types. From soft, creamy bries to sharp, tangy cheddars, the world of cheese is pretty exciting. Once you’re in, you’re in!
Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned cheese lover, this guide will introduce you to the major cheese categories, helping you appreciate their unique characteristics and understand how best to enjoy them.
Types of cheese
Fresh Cheeses
Fresh cheeses are uncured and eaten soon after they are made—their high moisture content results in a soft, spreadable texture and a mild, milky flavor.
This is a good place to start if you’re stepping into the world of different cheeses.
A few examples include:
Ricotta: Light, fluffy, and slightly sweet, ricotta is used in lasagnas, desserts, and breakfast dishes.
Chevre (goat cheese): This versatile cheese has a tangy, earthy flavor and is delicious crumbled over salads or spread on crackers.
Soft-Ripened
Soft-ripened cheeses are characterized by their creamy interiors and bloomy rinds, which develop during the aging process.
These cheeses tend to have a delicate, buttery flavor that intensifies as they mature. Ones you’ve likely come across include:
Brie: With its soft, velvety rind and rich, gooey interior, brie is a crowd-pleaser at any cheese board.
Camembert: Similar to brie but with a stronger flavor, Camembert has a slightly mushroomy aroma and a lusciously smooth texture.
Semi-Soft
Semi-soft cheeses are usually more firm than fresh cheeses but still have a supple texture compared to this article’s other different cheeses.
Their flavors range from mild to pungent, depending on the aging process. Popular semi-soft cheeses include:
Gouda: From the Netherlands, Gouda has a caramel-like sweetness and buttery finish. As it ages, it becomes firmer and more intense.
Havarti: This Danish cheese has a smooth, creamy texture with a mild, tangy flavor, making it ideal for sandwiches or melting.
Hard
Hard cheeses are delicious when grated or sliced thinly.
Examples include:
Parmesan (Parmigiano Reggiano): Revered as the “King of Cheeses,” Parmesan has a nutty, savory taste with crystals that add a delightful crunch. It’s essential for pasta dishes and risotto.
Pecorino Romano: Made from sheep’s milk, Pecorino Romano is salty, sharp, and perfect for grating over pasta or adding a punch to savory dishes.
Their flavor can range from mildly tangy to intensely pungent. Well-known blue cheeses include:
Gorgonzola: This Italian cheese offers a creamy texture with a rich, tangy flavor that pairs beautifully with honey, nuts, and pears.
Roquefort: Made from sheep’s milk, Roquefort has a sharp, tangy bite and crumbly texture.
Washed-Rind Cheeses
Brine, beer, or wine bathing gives their cheese their strong aroma and a reddish-orange rind.
Despite their pungent smell, their flavor is often surprisingly mild and savory. Examples include:
Taleggio: An Italian classic with a creamy texture and a fruity tang, Taleggio is excellent in risottos or melted on bread.
Epoisses: A cheese from France, Epoisses is famously pungent but offers a smooth, rich, and slightly sweet flavor beneath its bold exterior.
Wrapping It Up
Cheese is a culinary treasure with endless possibilities for pairing and savoring. Whether you’re indulging in a creamy brie, a nutty gouda, or a robust Roquefort, each cheese type offers a unique sensory experience.
Next time you build a cheese board or cook a dish, experiment with different varieties to expand your palate and elevate your meals. Check out our full range for inspiration!
For the wine, consider the following classic cheese and wine pairing options:
Sparkling winewith brie or camembert
Chardonnaywith gouda or cheddar
Cabernet sauvignonwith parmesan or manchego
Portwith blue cheese
Remember, the key to a great cheese and wine pairing is balance—matching the intensity of the cheese with that of the wine. Keep the process simple though and don’t overthink it too much.
Arrange your cheeses on a wooden board or a slate platter. Label each cheese, so your guests know what they’re tasting.
For added sparkle, include small bowls of nuts, dried fruits, chocolates, and honey—these can enhance the flavors of the cheese and wine.
Guide your guests through the tasting
As part of the experience, guide your guests through the tasting process. Encourage them to start with a small bite of cheese, followed by a sip of wine, and then another bite of cheese to fully experience the interplay of flavors.
Add in some fun pairing games
To keep it fun, consider blind tastings as a fun way to test your guests’ palates. This will be a cause for much giggling and fun. Cover the labels of the wines and have your guests guess which cheese pairs best with each one.
Another idea is to set up a “build-your-own” pairing station. Lay out an assortment of cheeses and wines and let your guests experiment with their combinations, noting which ones they enjoy the most. Prizes never hurt…
Finishing touches
No cheese and wine pairing is complete without some thoughtful finishing touches. Offer plenty of water and neutral-flavored crackers to cleanse the palate between tastings.
Lastly, send your guests home with a little something to remember the evening by—whether it’s a small booklet with the cheese and wine pairing ideas you’ve explored together or a mini bottle of wine paired with a slice of cheese.
Wrapping It Up
Hosting a cheese and wine tasting at home is a really fun way to explore new flavors and create lasting memories with friends and family.
With the right pairings, thoughtful presentation, and a bit of creativity, you can turn a simple evening into a sophisticated and fun event. So gather your favorite cheeses, uncork some bottles, and let the tasting begin! Reach out to us to learn more about our range.
Build the perfect charcuterie board and cultivate confidence in entertaining.
A beautifully curated charcuterie board is a fun way to show off your meats and cheeses. Here’s how to create a real show-stopper!
Charcuterie board
What Belongs On a Charcuterie Board?
In terms of artistry and taste, creating a balance is key. You want a mix of sweet, savory, salty, and spicy flavors. Visually, create harmony by pairing various colorful and multi-textural ingredients together.
Meats
Cured meats are a key part of your board – try a mix of sliced salami, coppa, ham, or pancetta. Don’t forget to add pieces of sausage like bologna or summer sausage. Thick slices of chorizo add texture and a meaty bite. You could also pop on a pot of chicken liver pate or a terrine.
Cheeses
You want a balance of strong, creamy, tangy, and mild cheeses. Of course, camembert and gouda are popular, as is a lovely piece of blue cheese or manchego.
Don’t forget to add soft goat cheese or feta as a contrast to harder cheeses like pecorino or cheddar.
Accompaniments
Adding fresh fruits like grapes, sliced apples, figs, and berries adds sweetness and contrast to your charcuterie board.
Consider a sprinkle of nuts like toasted almonds or hazelnuts. Condiments like honey, fruit preserves, and jams are also at home on your board, as are mustard and pickles. Adding a few briney ingredients like olives or capers is lovely, too.
Choose two or 3 types of bread or crackers as the vehicles to load up all the tasty treats you’ve laid out. To cater to everyone’s tastes, consider multigrain, gluten-free, crusty, and plain white bread options.
Build The Perfect Charcuterie Board
Choose your board: opt for a wooden or slate board, a marble slab, or even a large serving tray.
Begin by placing small bowls on the board to hold condiments such as honey, mustard, or fruit preserves.
Now, it’s time to arrange the meats. Do this in a way that allows easy access for guests to pick up slices without disturbing the overall presentation.
Follow up by adding an assortment of cheeses.
To complete the charcuterie board, add accompaniments that complement the flavors and textures of the meats and cheeses.
Finally, fill any remaining empty spaces on the board with bread and crackers.
Be creative and use what is in season. Combine trendy ingredients with classic favorites, and everyone will want to tuck in.
Tips To The Best Charcuterie Board
Adding color: fruits, flowers, and veggies all add pretty pops of color
Vary the textures and shapes: arrange your meats and cheese in different shapes. Roll the slices, fold pieces, or cut cubes out.
Tangy and creamy: pickles and olives with creamy cheeses
Remember, the key to taking your board to the next level is to think beyond the basics and incorporate elements that enhance both the visual appeal and taste experience.
Wrapping It Up
Take a look at our Products Page where you will find loads of options to choose from to build the perfect charcuterie board.
Ok, ok….it’s the second week of the New Year. And by now a lot of folks out there are diving deep into their New Years’ Resolutions. Especially following that ten months of quarantine!
My sister and I occasionally joke about the “Quarantine 19.” I only wish we were actually joking. LOL. Well, Shisler’s Cheesehouse is not just all about the candy and cookies and cheese and meats. Well, not ALL about those scrumptious treats 🙂 We also offer plenty of skinny alternatives to satisfy your snack cravings while sticking to your resolves!
The holidays are upon us, which hopefully means lots of family sleepovers! If everyone is up and at ’em at different times of the morning, it’s tough to make the perfect hot and made-to-order breakfast for everyone. Take a look at some of these ideas for a five-star brunch experience for your guests in the comfort of your home.
It’s National Snack Food Month this February so we are bringing you a list of our favorite snack foods.
Trail Mix
Our original trail mix is packed with nuts and dried fruit. Our diet trail mix is great if you’re hiking to get fit. Buggy trail mix has butter toffee peanuts, honey roasted sesame sticks, cheddar crackers, pretzel nuggets, and wheat crackers.
We also offer a banana split mix which contains cranberries, banana chips, almonds, chocolate covered peanuts, chocolate drops, pineapple tidbits, raisins, yogurt covered peanuts, peanuts, and yogurt drops. You could also try Mikey’s Mix which is packed with nuts and chocolate treats.
If you’ve got time, you could try making your own trail mix. Check out our gourmet foods section and pick your favorite things to mix up.
We also offer Think Fruit Dried Fruit Snacks in a variety of flavors, packaged up and ready for you to pop in your bag for those on-the-go snack moments.
Jerky
Jerky is full of protein which makes it a great snack, especially if you’re exercising or having a busy day. Try our Uncle Mike’s Beef Jerky, which we offer in Mild, Hot or Teriyaki flavor. It’s easy to pack and pull out when you’re out and about.
Nuts
We have a great range of nuts including peanuts, pistachios, and cashews. They’re a healthy source of protein and fats. You can even create your own mixes of them to snack on. Keeping a jar of nuts in the kitchen can stop you reaching for more unhealthy snacks, especially at hungry moments like when you’ve just got in from work!
Seeds
Seeds contain high levels of essential fatty acids as well as lots of vitamins and minerals that can help to keep us healthy. Because they are so nutrient-rich, you don’t need to eat a lot each day to get the health benefits of them. A tablespoon a day is more than enough and they’re easy to snack on. Try toasting them and adding them to salads if you’re having a more substantial snack.
Cheese!
Of course, cheese is one of our favorite snacks. Whether you have a few slices with some crunchy crackers or create a more substantial snack with slices of bologna, it’s a great source of calcium and a delicious treat. Pop in to try some new cheeses and you might find a new favorite for your snack pack.
What’s your favorite snack food? Let us know in the comments below!
Today, January 31st is National Hot Chocolate Day!
We thought you’d like to read some of our fun ideas for creating delicious hot chocolates. Whether you’re looking for topping ideas or a way to celebrate the day we have got you covered.
The Best Hot Chocolate
One of our favorite ways to make hot chocolate is to grate real chocolate into hot milk. You can try this with lots of different types and flavors of chocolate to find the best one for you.
Otherwise, the best hot chocolate is the one that you love! Try a few to find one that works best for you. Do you prefer it with hot milk or mixed with water? You could even try plant-based milks for a different flavor.
Play with toppings and syrups
You name it, it could be delicious on top of a hot chocolate! We’re sure someone has even tried crispy bacon bits on top of their whipped cream! So this is the time to get creative and experiment with something new.
There are the classics: marshmallows, cream, chocolate sprinkles. But you could also add cinnamon, sauces, nuts, marshmallow fluff, dried fruits, coconut shavings, or cereals. For extra decadence, try popping a chocolate truffle on the top and letting it melt in. You could even put a scoop of ice cream on the top for extra creaminess. If you add marshmallow fluff, try crisping it with a kitchen blow torch for a s’mores effect!
For extra flavor with your chocolate, you can pour in something a little extra. There are so many syrups available now and loads of them would be delicious in a hot chocolate. Try classics like peppermint, salted caramel or vanilla. You could even try making your own syrups at home with your favorite flavors. We highly recommend trying a bay syrup with your hot chocolate for a grown up twist. add a little of your favorite spirit. Whiskey or brandy work well but our favorite would have to be Irish Cream. You could try even flavored vodkas instead of syrup.
Friday Night Celebrating National Hot Chocolate Day
It’s a Friday so we think tonight is the perfect chance to gather some friends together, get cozy with a mug of hot chocolate and even a movie or even some board games. Why not have a competition to see who can create the most delicious and inventive hot chocolate? If you’ve got little ones they’re sure to enjoy a little sweet treat. You could use lower sugar hot chocolate to include them without it being too unhealthy.
If you want to celebrate in true Shisler’s Cheese House style, you’ll need our signature mug to enjoy your hot chocolate in. We even sell it as a gift set with some chocolates if you are a true chocoholic!
How are you celebrating National Hot Chocolate Day? Let us know in the comments below.
We have a whole range of fun peanut butter products for you to try!
Our Amish Peanut Butter Spread is made locally from a special blend of all natural ingredients. It’s sweet and creamy, with a soft and silky texture, perfect for baking or spreading on toast!
We thought that you might like to celebrate the day with a little baking. Read on to pick one of our ideas to cook up something fun!
Peanut Butter Cookies
Best served with a glass of milk, these are a true classic. Add peanut butter to your cookie batter or spread it on top. You can go for straight peanut butter or add chocolate – choose your favorite. Cookies also make great ice cream sandwiches!
Peanut Butter Cheesecake
Mix the peanut butter into the cheese, use peanut butter cookies in the base, or even create a peanut butter topping. You could even chop some Heggy’s Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Creams and stir them in. However you decide to bring peanut butter into your cheesecake, you know that it will be delicious.
Peanut Butter Brownies
Take your favorite brownie batter and swirl in some peanut butter. You could even add a crunchy topping with some crushed up Peanut Butter Pretzels. Try a blondie with white chocolate if you have a really sweet tooth.
Peanut Butter S’mores
Just when you thought s’mores couldn’t get any better, we added peanut butter! You can do this in a couple of different ways. Either make a normal s’more and add a smear of peanut butter to one of your graham crackers or replace your chocolate with a peanut butter cup. You could even add some caramel if you want a real treat.
5. Peanut Butter Pancakes
Pancakes aren’t just for breakfast. They make a great dessert too! This filling will work for both. Put peanut butter, chocolate chips and slices of banana in your crepes before rolling them up.
6. Peanut Butter Sundae
Create a sauce by heating 3 parts caramel, 1 part peanut butter and 1 part milk until it is smooth. Pour it into the bottom of your sundae glass. Layer it with ice cream, banana, caramel, and any other ingredients that you like. Top with a sprinkling of chopped peanuts.
Happy National Peanut Butter Day everyone!
If you plan to serve these at a party or take them along to an event, please be careful to ensure that no-one present has a nut allergy and always label your dish stating its ingredients. We would hate for someone’s baking to become a health risk.
As today is Veteran’s Day and we are passionate supports of our veterans, we wanted to share our Veteran’s Day Care Package with you.
This is a great way to remind our heroes that we still appreciate all they do! It is perfect as a gift for our veterans or as active duty military care packages. We have included less perishable options than some of our other gift boxes, for those who wish to send a care package to military personnel stationed overseas.
There really is nothing like a little taste of home to let our men and women in uniform know they are appreciated. We will ship to any FPO-AP address via U.S. Postal service. We will also show our appreciation for our men and women in uniform by donating a portion of the proceeds from every package sold to The Wounded Warrior Project.
The Veteran’s Day Care Package Includes:
Baby Swiss Cheese Wheel (2 Lbs.)
Trail Bologna Ring or Beef Jerky (In non-perishable option)
Clem’s Hot Pepper Relish – delicious with cheese and crackers!
Banana Split Mix – cranberries, banana chips, almonds, chocolate covered peanuts, chocolate drops, pineapple tidbits, raisins, yogurt covered peanuts, peanuts, and yogurt drops all mixed together for a great trail mix
Amish Peanut Butter Spread
Amish Homestyle Jam
Carr’s Crackers
We know that you love to show your appreciation and, to us, food is the perfect way to do that.
Here at Shisler’s Cheese House, we also make a range of gift boxes if the Veteran’s Care Package isn’t quite right for you.
Our Football Season Special is perfect for sports lovers. It contains Swiss Cheese, Troyer’s Trail Bologna, Pepper Jack Cheese, Shisler’s Private Label Mustard, Shisler’s Private Label Hot Pepper Relish, and Carr’s Crackers.
The Fall Harvest Collection celebrates the best flavors of fall in Amish Country. You’ll find Baby Swiss Cheese (2 Lbs.), Streb Meats Smoked Sausage (1 Lb.), Cranberry Delight (1 Lb.), Pumpkin Muffin Mix, Pumpkin Butter, and Popcorn on the Cob inside.
If you want to show your support to a beer and cheese lover, then our Beer Collection is absolutely the gift for you. It contains enough Brick, Gouda, Gruyere, and Ohio Premium Swiss Cheese to entertain 20 people. These cheeses have been chosen for their strong flavors which pair beautifully with beer. We recommend trying out a few different beers to compare the tasting experience.
Finally, our Hot Stuff Collection has everything that you might need for someone who lives spice and heat. Enjoy trying Hot Pepper Cheese, Habanero Cheese, Troyer’s Trail Bologna with Hot Pepper Cheese, Shisler’s Private Label Hot Pepper Relish, Shisler’s Private Label Hot Jalapeno Mustard, Hot Pepper Jelly, and Carr’s Crackers. Be warned, you might need a cooling glass of milk on hand.
Do get in touch if you have any questions about any of our gift boxes, but especially if you would like to get a Veteran’s Day care package for a special someone to recognise their service this month.
We’d also love for you to take a look at the work of the Wounded Warrior Project and consider supporting them in their efforts.
With many of us back at school and work after a fun summer, many of you will be thinking about options for packed lunches. There’s nearly always someone in the household that needs to take lunch with them in the morning.
Packed Lunch Ideas: Warming Lunches for Fall
As it starts to get cooler, you’re probably going to want something warming at lunch. Why not take a delicious soup, hearty stew or even a rich pasta dish with you to keep the cold at bay. There are so many options for food containers that will keep your lunch hot as you work or learn these days. Not only that, but taking your own along reduces the environmental impact of packaged foods.
Packed Lunch Ideas: Baking Mixes
Our range of quick baking mixes will help you to whip up something quick for tomorrow’s lunch that feels truly homemade.
For the sweet tooth, we have a great range of muffin mixes. These include strawberry, apple cinnamon, chocolate chip, pumpkin raspberry, and “bran”ana.
Packed Lunch Ideas: Trail Mix
We’ve got a trail mix to suit every taste here at Shisler’s Cheese House!
Banana Split Mix: Cranberries, banana chips, almonds, chocolate covered peanuts, chocolate drops, pineapple tidbits, raisins, yogurt covered peanuts, peanuts, and yogurt drops for those of you looking for a fruity sweet treat.
Amish Hot Mix: Hot Cajun sesame sticks, taco sesame corn sticks, redskin peanuts, pretzel twists, and chili bits for spicy food lovers.
Buggy Trail Mix: Butter toffee peanuts, honey roasted sesame sticks, cheddar crackers, pretzel nuggets, and wheat crackers for anyone who loves a bit of crunch.
We also have a Diet Trail Mix, Mikey’s Mix and a basic Trail Mix. You could even combine some of these to create your ultimate trail mix. This is a great snack if you’re sending hungry kids to school. Just be sure to check whether the school has any allergy requirements as you may not be able to send snacks containing nuts.
Packed Lunch Ideas: Dried Fruit
Another great healthy snack is dried fruit. We stock Think Fruit: a fab dried fruit snack. Try pineapple, blueberries, cranberries, peach slices, cherries, and cinnamon apple slices to discover your favorite.
We hope some of these ideas will be useful to you as you plan your lunches in the coming weeks. Something that you might find useful is creating a meal plan so that you always know what’s coming up for lunch and which snacks you need to stock up on. You could even cook batches of meals ahead of time and freeze them for later. A couple of great soups and stews frozen in portions can save a lot of time and headaches later!
What do you like to take for your packed lunch? Let us know in the comments!
