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Guide to Cheese


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Añejo cheese is an "aged" white Mexican cheese with a dry, crumbly texture and a salty flavor. Look for it in Mexican markets and well-stocked grocery stores. Grated Romano, Parmesan, or feta can be substituted.
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Asadero cheese, a Mexican cheese meaning literally a "roasting" cheese, is a mild, soft white variety typically used for melting. It is sold in Mexican markets and well-stocked grocery stores. Mozzarella or Monterey Jack may be substituted.
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Asiago cheese is hard with a crumbly texture, and its flavor is reminiscent of sharp Cheddar and Parmesan. It is perfect for the table, grated on salads, and in soups, pastas, and sauces.
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Bel paese, made from whole milk, is a soft-textured, delicately flavored, pale yellow Italian cheese.
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Blue cheese refers to blue-veined cheeses of many varieties with rich, tangy flavor and creamy to crumbly consistency.
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Brie is a soft-ripened cheese that comes from France. Brie has a delicate and creamy texture and its rich, sweet taste can vary from buttery to mushroomy. This cheese has a thin, edible crust and becomes even more flavorful with age; it tastes best when served at room temperature. Brie is usually made from cow's milk and its quality varies depending on which milk (whole or skim) is used.
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Brousse de brebis cheese is a mellow-flavored cow's milk cheese usually sold in small squares. It is available in specialty-food shops.
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Cabrales cheese is a Spanish goat's milk cheese similar in taste to Roquefort. If it is unavailable, substitute any blue cheese.
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Caciotta cheese, a creamy, semi-hard cheese, is made from all sheep's milk or a blend of sheep's and cow's milk and ranges from mild to slightly tangy when aged. Varieties include dolce sardo from Sardinia, Caciotta toscana from Tuscany, and pientino from Pienza.
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Cheddar, a firm, smooth-textured, whole-milk cheese, ranges in color from pale yellow-white to deep yellow-orange and in taste from mild and sweet when fresh to sharp and tangy when aged.
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Chihuahua cheese is a white cows milk cheese that comes from Oaxaca, Mexico. This cheese is also known as Asadero which means roaster or broiler and it has good melting properties. The cheese becomes soft and stringy when melted. Extensively used in Mexican cooking.
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Colby cheese is a firm, mild-flavored cow's milk cheese that is light orange in color.
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Cotija cheese is a salty, white Mexican cheese with a dry, crumbly texture It resembles Añejo cheese.
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Cottage cheese is a fresh cheese made from whole, part-skimmed or skimmed Pasteurized cow's milk. It has a mild, bland flavor and is quite moist. Cottage cheese comes in three forms: small-curd, medium curd and large curd. It is typically eaten as a snack
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Cream cheese is a smooth, white, mild-tasting cheese made from cream and milk. Purchase in bulk at good-quality delicatessens for a cheese with a better taste and a creamier texture. Refrigerate and use within a week.

To soften cream cheese:
Wrap in plastic wrap and place in a microwave oven set on high. Heat for 20 seconds, repeating if necessary until soft. Or, immerse cheese in an airtight commercial wrapper in hot water until the desired consistency is reached, 2-3 minutes.
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Emmenthaler cheese, a common variety of Swiss cheese, has a firm, smooth texture, large holes, and a mellow, slightly sweet, and nutty flavor.
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Farmer cheese, which is similar in appearance to ricotta, is a small-curd, cow's milk cheese that is low in fat and has a fairly dry consistency.
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Feta cheese, a traditional brine-cured Greek goat's or sheep's milk cheese, is white, salty, and sharp tasting and has a consistency that ranges from creamy to crumbly and dry. Some feta cheeses are now made of cow's milk.
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Fontina cheese, made from cow's milk, is a firm, creamy, delicate Italian cheese with a slightly nutty taste. Fontina from the Aosta Valley of northwestern Italy is generally considered the best.
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Goat cheeses, made from goat's milk, have a creamy consistency and a distinctive sharp tang. Also known by the French term chèvres, they are sold shaped into small rounds or logs. Some have flavorful coatings of pepper, ashes or mixed herbs.
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Gorgonzola cheese, a specialty of Lombardy, is named for a town just outside of Milan, Italy. It is a mild, creamy, pale yellow blue-veined cheese made from fresh cow's milk.
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Gorgonzola dolcelatte cheese, an Italian blue-veined cheese meaning literally "sweet milk," is a mild, creamy variety of Gorgonzola.
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Gouda cheese, a cow's milk cheese, varies in flavor from mild to sharp, depending upon the age. This soft-textured cheese is sold in rounds covered with a wax rind.
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Grana cheese refers to a group of granular, finely-grained hard cheeses. Two of Italy's most widely acclaimed cheeses, Parmigiano-Reggiano and Grana Padano, belong to the grana (granular) group of cheeses.
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Gruyere cheese, a variety of Swiss cheese with small holes, has a firm, smooth texture and a relatively strong flavor.
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Hot Pepper Jack cheese is California Jack or Jack cheese that contains jalapeņo peppers and/or flavorings. It is made from whole, partly skimmed or skimmed cow's milk. It has high moisture and good melting properties, making it excellent for sandwiches
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Jarlsberg cheese is a Norwegian cheese that resembles Swiss Emmenthaler, but has a slightly sweeter flavor.
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Kasseri cheese is a Greek sheep's or goat's milk cheese with a semi-hard consistency similar to cheddar, punctuated by a few tiny holes, and a taste similar to feta.
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Kefalotiri cheese is a hard, yellow common Greek grating cheese, made from un-pasteurized sheep's or goat's milk.
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Manchego is a classic Spanish cheese made from cow's milk. Depending on how it is used, other cheeses such as Romano, Parmesan, white cheddar, or Monterey jack can be substituted.
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Mascarpone cheese is a thick Italian cream cheese that is similar to French crème fraîche. It is used to enrich sauces or desserts and may also be sweetened and flavored for eating on its own. Look for Mascarpone, sold in small tubs, in Italian delicatessens and specialty-food shops.
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Maytag cheese is an American blue-veined cheese, with a fairly firm consistency. It is generally milder than its European counterparts.
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Mizithra, a fresh Greek cheese, is made from the whey produced in the making of feta or Kefalotiri cheese. Whole fresh sheep's or cow's milk is often added to enrich the final result.
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Monterey jack cheese, made from whole, partly skimmed, or skimmed cow's milk, is a semi-soft white melting cheese with a mild flavor and buttery texture. This California specialty was developed in the mid-19th century by Monterey farmer David Jacks as his own version of a cheese made by the friars in the Spanish missions.
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Mozzarella cheese is a rindless white, mild-tasting Italian variety of cheese traditionally made from water buffalo's milk and sold fresh. Commercially produced cow's milk mozzarella is much more common, but less flavorful. Fresh mozzarella is sold immersed in water and should be drained before using. Small, bite-sized balls of fresh cheese are known as bocconcini. Mozzarella is also flavored and preserved by smoking, giving it a sturdier texture and a deep yellowish brown color.
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Oaxaca Cheese is a white cows milk cheese that comes from Oaxaca, Mexico. This cheese is also known as assured which means roaster or broiler and has good melting properties. The cheese becomes soft and stringy when melted. Also known as Chihuahua.
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Panela is a fresh Mexican cheese with a soft, slightly spongy texture. Look for it in Mexican markets and well-stocked food stores. Depending upon the recipe, Monterey jack, fresh mozzarella, dry cottage cheese, farmer cheese, or dry ricotta can be substituted.
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Parmesan cheese, a hard, thick-crusted Italian cow's milk cheese, has a sharp, salty, full flavor resulting from up to 2 years of aging. It takes its name from the city of Parma, though it originated midway between that city and Reggio, where the finest Italian variety, Parmigiano-Reggiano, is produced. Buy in block form, to grate fresh as needed.

To shave Parmesan cheese:
Use a vegetable peeler to pare paper-thin sheets from a piece of Parmesan. To grate Parmesan cheese: Draw a piece of Parmesan against the holes of a handheld grater. Or, use a rotary cheese grater.
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Parmigiano Reggiano is considered by many as the best parmesan cheese around. This hard, sharp cow's-milk cheese used primarily in grated form, tastes best when freshly grated. The tough, brownish-gold oily rind encases a gold interior of granular texture that gets quite brittle when aged. The original Parmigiano Reggiano is being produced only in the area of Bologna, Mantua, Modena, or Parma.
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Pecorino cheese, an Italian sheep's milk cheese, is sold fresh or aged. Two of the most popular aged forms are pecorino Romano and pecorino sardo; the latter is tangier than the former.

To shave pecorino cheese:
Use a vegetable peeler to pare paper-thin sheets from a piece of pecorino. To grate pecorino cheese: Draw a piece of pecorino against the holes of a handheld grater. Or, use a rotary cheese grater.
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Pepper jack cheese, made from whole, partly skimmed, or skimmed cow's milk, is a semi-soft white melting cheese with chili peppers. It has a mild flavor and buttery texture. This is a variation of Monterey jack cheese.
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Provolone, an Italian whole-milk cheese made from cow's or water buffalo's milk, is fairly firm in texture and pale yellow in color. Its flavor ranges from mild and slightly sweet to strong and tangy.
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Queso Anejo is a firm, pressed cheese that's been rolled in paprika. This cheese is not as strongly flavored as Cotija but can be easily shredded or grated. It is commonly used as a topping or stuffing for enchiladas, burritos, and tacos.
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Queso fresco, meaning literally "fresh cheese," is a soft, crumbly fresh cow's milk cheese used to garnish many Mexican dishes. Also known as Queso blanco, it can be found in Latin markets. Mild feta cheese may be substituted.
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Queso panela is a popular Mexican cheese with a mild, white flavor and crumbly texture. This soft cheese maintains its shape when heated - it becomes soft and creamy but not runny. The cheese is commonly used in Mexican dishes and is typically crumbled over salads, used in tacos, chili and burritos.
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Raclette cheese is a type of hard cheese that is made from cow's milk and usually used in a dish with the same name. The flavor and texture is very similar to Gruyere cheese. This cheese originates from Switzerland and can be found in specialty cheese stores and better supermarkets.
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Ricotta cheese is a light-textured, mild fresh Italian cheese with a soft texture, made from twice-cooked milk-traditionally sheep's milk, although cow's milk ricotta is far more common. Whole milk or part-skim products are available, sold in small tubs in most grocery stores. For best quality, seek out fresh ricotta, found in Italian delicatessens.
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Romano cheese is an Italian variety of cheese traditionally made from sheep's milk and also made from goat's or cow's milk. It is sold fresh or, more commonly, aged. Buy in block form to use fresh as needed.

To shave Romano cheese:
Pare paper-thin sheets from a piece of Romano with a vegetable peeler. To grate Romano cheese: Draw the cheese against the holes of a handheld grater. Or, use a rotary cheese grater.
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Roquefort cheese, a French cheese made from sheep's milk, has a creamy consistency and a rich, sharp taste.
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Stilton cheese is an English blue-veined cheese made from cow's milk. It is firm and slightly crumbly.
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Swiss cheese, a firm whole-milk cheese, is pale creamy yellow in color with distinctive holes that grow larger and more numerous with ripening. Varieties of Swiss cheese range from mild and slightly sweet to strong and nutlike.
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Taleggio cheese, a cow's milk cheese from Lombardy, is appreciated for its soft, smooth texture and a taste that ranges from slightly piquant to strong depending upon age.
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Double and triple crème cheeses, what we Americans call cream cheese is a very distant relative to these rich, creamy, fresh cheeses from France. They vary in texture from thick, heavy sour or fresh cream, to semi-firm cream. All are delicate with a refreshing tang. Many varieties are blended with a mixture of herbs and garlic or spices, such as pepper.

Double and triple creme cheeses:

According to French law these cheeses are classified double crème when they contain a minimum of 60 per cent butter fat (rnatière grasse) per gram, and triple crème when they contain a minimum of 75 per cent butter fat per gram.
These crèmes are delightful at any time of day, for any menu or snack. Simply spread on crusty French bread, perhaps serve with fresh fruits in season (not citrus). Fruity wines are ideal to accompany these cheeses, particularly rosé. Many Americans enjoy the herbed or peppered versions of these cheeses at the cocktail hour. Among the crèmes available are:

Bellétoile. - - A soft-ripened triple crème, with no rind, it is easily spreadable. It comes as 5-oz. round, plain or herb-flavored.
Boursault. - - Another triple crème, soft-ripened cheese available in an 8-oz. round. This cheese is very creamy almost like a mixture of Brie and heavy cream.
Boursin. A fresh cow’s milk, double crème, white with an edible crust. It has a tangy flavor and is available with herbs or pepper.
Brillat-Savarin. . . From Normandy, this triple crème is a thick, plump, white disk, with a buttery texture and elasticity.
Excelsior. . - Similar to Boursin and Boursault, without spices or herbs. Contains 72 per cent butter fat and comes in an 8-oz. cylinder.
Fromage de Monsieur Fromage. . - A small round, double crème, first made in Normandy about 75 years ago.
Gervais. . . Usually packaged in squares or rectangles. Its texture is similar to that of American-type cream cheese, but its flavor is richer and slightly tangy.
La Bouille.. . This rich, triple crème is not flavored, but has its own special tang. The 1 l-oz. round is available in a wood-chip basket.
La Bourse. - . This is a triple crème, flavored with herbs and garlic. It is round and available either in 2’/2- oz. or 5-oz. portions.
Margotin. - - This crème is a mixture of cow’s and goat’s milk, which makes it a less fatty, drier cheese. It is either flavored with herbs or with pepper.
Petit Suisse. - . One of France’s most popular double crèmes, this cheese may contain from 60 to 75 per cent butter fat. Available in l-oz. plastic cups.
Provencal. - . Another triple crème, available as a 5-oz. round cheese in a cardboard box. It is flavored either with herbs and garlic or with pepper.
Tartare. . - This fresh, very creamy triple crème is only available flavored with herbs and garlic.

Soft Cheeses:

These exquisite cheeses are the result of French cheese-making genius. They are known as soft paste cheeses, usually having a white powdery crust which, when ripened, is tinged reddish brown and the center is soft to the touch. Inside, the cheese is golden yellow, creamy, buttery smooth and “runny”. Once the crust is cut, the cheese ceases to ripen.
As with all French cheeses, this type must be served at room temperature. Again serve them with crusty French bread, apples, grapes, peaches or pears, and for most of them a light to medium French red wine makes an ideal accompaniment.

Bibress. . . A cylinder-shaped creamy cheese with a flavor similar to a mild blue cheese.
Brie. . . The “King” of soft-ripened cheeses. Its powdery, white edible crust becomes tinged reddish brown when the cheese is fully ripened. As with each of this type of cheese, it reaches its peak at room temperature.
Brie de Meaux. - - One of the original, authentic Brie cheeses, named after the city in which it is made.
Brie de Melun. - . Another authentic variety of this famous cheese, also named after the city where it is made.
Bache Lorraine. . - Similar to Brie in texture and flavor, is available in the shape of a log.
Cambree. . - This newcomer is a combination of Brie and Camembert, with 50 per cent butter fat. It comes in a rectangular loaf which weighs six pounds.
Camembert. . . One of France’s most popular cheeses of this variety, known and admired throughout the world. Available in an 8-oz. round, it is an original specialty of the province of Normandy.
Caprice des Dieux - . . An oval-shaped cheese, slightly creamier than Camembert with an edible crust.
Carre de 1’ Est . .. A square-shaped cheese, similar in flavor to Brie, but milder. As with most of this variety, the crust is edible.
Chaource - . - A specialty of Champagne country, this cheese is creamy, plump and round in shape. Its white crust is edible.
Coulommiers - . - Made in the same region as Brie, it is smaller in size, plumper than its cousin, but similar in flavor and texture.
Fol Amour... An oval-shaped cheese, made in the north of France, and similar to Brie in flavor and texture.
St. Benoit - . . A specialty of the area of Orleans, it is made from skimmed cow’s milk and is in the shape of a small, thick disk. Inside it is ivory-colored and very creamy.
Valdieue - . - This cheese is a close cousin to Carré de 1’ Est, in shape, size and flavor.
Valmeuse - . - This is again in the Brie family, but it contains a special stabilizer to retard ammoniation.


Semi-Soft Cheeses:

These are cheeses which are semi-firm to the touch, with a smooth, buttery texture inside that yields on finger pressure, or when cut with a knife. They are mild in flavor with a clean, fresh tang to them that varies in strength depending on the age. Because they slice easily (especially when the knife blade has been dipped in very hot water),
they have good melting qualities and are often used in cooking. But they are excellent as well for snacks, dessert courses with bread and fruit and a modest French red wine. Most semi-soft cheeses have an inedible crust.

Babybeh . . - Made from cow’s milk, this cheese is firm in texture and retains its freshness because it is enveloped in a red paraffin wrapper. It has a slightly nutty flavor.
Bonbel - . . Also made from cow’s milk, this is firm in texture and has a yellow paraffin wrapper. Slightly larger than its cousin, Babybel, this cheese, too is slightly nutty in flavor.
Chiberta - - - A specialty of the Basque country, in the south of France, this cheese is made from cow’s milk, is ivory-colored on the inside with tiny holes. It is avail able in a four-pound round and has a dark orange inedible crust.
Livarot - . . A famous specialty of the province of Normandy, this is a round cheese with a strong and piquant flavor.
Edam Français. . . Rich orange in color with a red rind and a distinct nutty flavor.
Munster - . . From the province of Alsace, this cheese has a strong aroma but is milder in taste. Square-shaped and rather orange-y in color, it is sometimes flavored with cumin or caraway.
Pont l’Evêque - . . Again a Norman specialty, the name of the cheese means Bishop’s Bridge. It is square shaped with impressions on its usually edible rind which result
from the straw on which it is ripened.
Port Salut . . - Originated by the Trappist monks in their Monastery of Port-du-Salut
Entrammes, this popular cheese comes in a four-pound round with an inedible orange rind. It slices readily and is ideal in recipes.
Reblochon . . - Made in the French Alps, the name derives from the term for the second-milking of the day, the cow’s milk, which is used to make this cheese. A small, flat disk, it is mild in flavor.
Royaldieue - . . Similar in texture and body to Port Salut but has a higher butter fat content. The crust is not edible.
St. Nectaire - . . Again, a cousin to Port Salut but its inedible crust is darkish brown.
St. Paulin - . - Another look-alike to Port Salut, in shape and flavor, but it does not have an orange crust. This cheese is also a creation of the Trappist monks.

Goat's Milk Cheeses---Chevres:

These cheeses are much prized by connoisseurs and almost every region of France has its own special goat’s milk cheese. They are found in many sizes and shapes, such as 3- to 8-inch round patties, log-shaped, drum-shaped, pyramids, rounds, loaves, etc. Textures vary from soft, but firm, somewhat like cream cheese, to extremely hard.
Chevres make excellent dessert cheeses, served with bread and fruit. The French wines recommended to drink with these unique cheeses are modest white wines or rosés.

Banon - . - A round flat disk in small and large sizes, this cheese is a specialty of
Provence. It is wrapped in chest nut leaves and tied with raffia.
Capricette - . . This is a fresh goat cheese, with a low fat content and a delightful tangy flavor. Available in 4-oz. plastic cups.
Chabichou - . . Small cone-shaped, soft goat cheese, which is ideal for dessert. It is made in the Poitou region, and its flavor varies from fruity to sharp depending on its age.
Chèvre au Poivre—aux Herbes . . . These patty-shaped cheeses are sprinkled with pepper, fennel and rosemary. All are excellent as hors d’oeuvre.
Chevrotin . . - A popular cheese of this variety. It has a fat content of 45 per cent, mild aroma, with a creamy texture and nutty flavor.
Montrachet .. . This is made in the province of Burgundy, and always comes in the shape of a log. Mild and creamy in flavor with a rind that may or may not be dusted with vine wood ash. Good keeping quality.
Pyramide - . - Sometimes called Valençay, this is, as its name implies a pyramid-shaped cheese. It has a mild nutty flavor and also its edible rind may or may not be dusted with wood ash.
St. Marcellin . - Originally this cheese, from the Isère Valley, was made strictly from goat’s milk. Today, it is more often a combination of cow and goat. It is a soft round disk, with a mild slightly acid flavor.
Sainte Maure . . - A soft-ripened goat cheese, log-shaped, with a thin edible crust and a mild flavor which becomes more pronounced as it ages. It is sometimes called Tonnelets.

Blue Cheeses:

These cheeses have a blue vein marbling mostly developed by natural fermentation processes, sometimes by inoculation to start or hasten ripening, and maturing. The term persillé, which is often applied to these cheeses, has nothing to do with parsley. Rather it refers to the blue- green veining which resembles parsley. These cheeses have a tangy flavor, some more than others, are usually semi-soft, often crumbly, especially when cold. Natural blue cheeses are produced in many areas of France and are named after their region or origin.
Most blue-veined cheeses are marvelous with fruit, crusty bread or unsalted crackers, either for snacks, hors d’oeuvre or as a dessert course. Their robust flavor calls for a full-bodied French red wine. In the US these cheeses are widely used in salads and salad dressings.

Bleu d’Auvergne - . . From the mountains of the rustic region of the Auvergne, this cheese is made from cow’s milk. It has a rich, sharp flavor.
Bleu de Bresse. - . Also made from cow’s milk in the region of Bresse, this cheese is available either in cylinders or long loaves. It has a mild flavor for this type of cheese.
Pipo Creme . .. This cheese, available in six-pound rolls, has a very distinct flavor, slices easily as it does not crumble. The thin crust is edible.
Roquefort
The “King” of cheeses — as it is known throughout the world. Made exclusively from ewe’s milk in the south of France and aged and ripened in the limestone caves of the small village of Roquefort. It is unique — unlike any other cheese in flavor and texture. Authentic Roquefort can be easily identified by the red sheep emblem on the label.

Firm Texture Cheeses:

These cheeses are used very often in gratiné dishes, as an ingredient in many recipes, and are very popular in sandwiches, or as snacks. Usually they have many “eyes”, the size of which is helpful in identifying the various kinds.

Beaumont . . . A specialty of the Savoie region of France, this cheese has a distinct nutty flavor. It has a tannish crust which is not edible. Inside, the ivory colored cheese has many tiny “eyes” arranged close together.
Comte . . - A product of the Jura region, it is similar to Emmental, but has smaller and fewer eyes about the size of cherries. It comes in large, fiat wheels which may weigh as much as 75 pounds. (In France Gruyère is the generic term for this cheese.)
Emmental Français. . . Identified by its eyes which are relatively large. This cheese has a nutlike tang that adds zest to such dishes as quiches, fondues and sauces.
Mimolette . . . Made in the north of France from cow’s milk, it is about the size and shape of Edam. In texture and flavor, however, it is more similar to cheddar. Out side it is orange and inside a bright yellow.
Tomme des Pyrénées . . . A cheese from France’s Basque country, it is a large round cow’s milk cheese, with an inedible black rind.
Tomme de Savoie... From the Alpine region, this cheese is made from cow’s milk and has a low fat content. It is firm, subtly flavored and comes in a flat, round disc which weighs about four to six pounds.

Hard Cheeses:

Cantal. . . A native of the Auvergne region, this is one of France’s oldest and most famous cheeses. Has a piquant flavor but its hard crust is not edible. It is low in fat and high in protein — making it an excellent choice for dieters. Fine for cooking or as a simple table cheese with bread and red wine. A wheel may weigh as much as 100 pounds.

Process Cheese:

Most of France’s process cheeses are a blend with a creme de Gruyère as as base. They may have a firm, heavy texture, or may be soft, smooth and spreadable.
Beau Pasteur . . . This cheese has a mild, distinct flavor, a creamy buttery texture and no crust. It is available in a three-pound round.

Fondu au Raisin . - . A semi-soft cheese with a distinctive grape flavor imparted by its rind (inedible) of grape seeds, called “marc” — the remains from the pressed grapes.
Gourmandise - . . Similar to Beau Pasteur with either a cherry or walnut flavor. A party and dessert favorite.
La Grappe - . - Another name for the cheese called Fondu au Raisin.
La Vache Qui Rit. . . Which means “laughing cow”, a picture of which appears on the label. This has become an American favorite. It is available in cocktail-size pieces or in packages of individual wedge-shaped portions.
Nec Plus Ultra - . - Similar in texture and quality to Gourmandise. It is served in the same manner, and also is available in cherry or walnut flavors.
Six de Savoie... Similar to La Vache Qui Rit, it is pack aged in small triangular wedges.
Tomme au Marc . . . Same as Fondu au Raisin.

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