A Brief Guide to Different Types of Cheese

by Rob J. Quality Links

No one knows for sure where and when cheese was first made, but historians claim that this tasty food was discovered by accident. Thousands of years ago, people tried storing milk in containers made of animal stomachs; later, they saw that the liquid had solidified and became fatty. Curious, they tasted it and found that it was delicious.

A few millennia later, the process of making this accidentally discovered food has advanced due to available technology that ensured its safety and edibility. Now, there are even different types of cheese that people can enjoy. Here are a few of them:

Roquefort

One of the best-known choices for blue cheese, Roquefort originated from France. It's made from sheep's milk and characterized by a dominantly white appearance with dark blue to black spots. These tiny markings are actually colonies of mold called Penicillium roquefort, which can be found in caves.

The way Roquefort is manufactured is very complex and takes 5 to 6 months. The majority of this time is spent in aging the cheese to let the bacteria undergo biochemical processes. This is done to improve the taste of the product.

Roquefort is often eaten as is. It has a sweet and nutty flavor, and the distinct taste of the sheep's milk overflows.

Mozzarella

Famous for its rubbery consistency, mozzarella is a southern Italian delicacy manufactured through a delicate process. This technique involves incubating the milk of cows or water buffalos to produce curds, which will be heated until it becomes heavy and elastic. The product will then be manually stretched, kneaded, rolled, and formed into thick and flat circles. This procedure results in a product that has an exquisite taste and a soft and moist texture.

There are many ways mozzarella can be consumed. It's a prominent ingredient in pizza and other Italian dishes. Enjoying it as an afternoon snack is possible, too. Serve it in thin slices with olives, tomatoes, lettuce, and pieces of bread.

You can also cut it into thin strips, bread it with flour, and deep fry it for a few minutes. Once you've tried this simple recipe, you'll say, "I'd love to have these mozzarella sticks near me every snack time."

Cheddar

Originating from England, cheddar undergoes a long and complex procedure before reaching your table. Cow's milk is first pasteurized and then slow-cooked to produce curds, which are later milled into small pellets. These tiny pieces are pressed together with a machine to completely remove moisture, molded, and then aged for 3 to 24 months.

The result of this tedious manufacturing process is a cheese with a firm texture, ivory white or straw yellow appearance, and sharp and distinct taste. It can be eaten as is or added to sandwiches and casserole dishes. It can also be melted and served as a tasty dip for chips and other finger food.

These are just 3 examples of cheese that you'll surely love. A good thing about them is they're available in easy-to-prepare variants. You can purchase mozzarella sticks for sale or ready-to-eat Roquefort and cheddar at your local supermarket.