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A dairy product made from the curds of milk that have been separated from the whey. The curds form a firm substance that is aged to create added flavor. There are hundreds of varieties of fresh and aged cheese made in a variety of countries, many of which are made with ingredients and processes that exist in the region from which they originated. Cheese is divided into 5 major groups which include: hard cow's milk cheese, soft cow's milk cheese, goats milk cheese, sheep's milk cheese, and blue cheese. From these groups, the various cheeses are then selected for their intended purpose, flavor, and suitability for recipes and serving objectives. With the different varieties, there are also a number of different forms, such as grated, sliced, block, wedge, soft, hard, or spreadable from which a specific type is chosen for a specific purpose.
Cheese can be served for appetizers, toppings, sandwich filling, entrees, and desserts or used as an ingredient for numerous food dishes. When serving cheese as an appetizer, serve approximately 1 ounce per person. If several different types are being offered as courses to a meal, begin with the mildest cheese, serving increasingly stronger cheeses as the courses progress. Additional foods can accompany cheese to enhance the flavor, such as almonds, walnuts, apples, pears, slices of hard breads, or crackers. Serve breads and crackers that are mild in flavor so they do not attempt to compete with the flavor of the cheese. Fruits go well with a variety of strong cheeses, such as blue cheese with slices of pears.
If mold appears on soft cheese, discard the cheese immediately. On hard cheese however, the mold can be removed by cutting it off, making sure not to contaminate the knife and spread the mold by slicing too closely to the spores that have formed. Some types of cheese, such as Asiago, Cheddar and Parmigiano Reggiano that have aged, may form small crystalized ganules that create a rough and gritty texture on the cheese. This is not harmful and is due to the breaking down of the calcium in the milk that is used to make the cheese. As the cheese ages and the calcium breaks down, it forms crystals that become a natural process of the cheese aging.
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Goat's Cheese - Chèvre | 
Sheep's Milk Cheese - Manchego | | 
Soft Cow's Milk Cheese - Boursin | 
Hard Cow's Milk Cheese - Cheddar | | 
Blue Cheese - Stilton |
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Serving Tip
When serving cheese, plan on following amounts per person:
1) Appetizers with cheese as the main item, allow 3 to 4 ounces per person;
2) Buffet table with cheese as small part of other foods, allow up to 1 ounce per person;
3) Dessert servings, allow 1/2 ounce per person.
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USDA Nutrition Facts |
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| Serving Size 1 cup |
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| Calories 295 |
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| Protein 7g |
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| Total Fat 28g |
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| Total Carbohydrates 3g |
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| Dietary Fiber 0g |
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| Sugars 3g |
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| Potassium 112mg |
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| Sodium 673mg |
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| Cholesterol 90mg |
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| Serving Size 6 cracker 1 cracker = 6.5g |
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| Calories 490 |
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| Protein 8g |
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| Total Fat 24g |
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| Total Carbohydrates 58g |
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| Dietary Fiber 1g |
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| Sugars 12g |
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| Potassium 295mg |
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| Sodium 878mg |
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| Cholesterol 6mg |
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| Calories 137 |
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| Protein 22g |
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| Total Fat 1g |
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| Total Carbohydrates 8g |
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| Dietary Fiber 0g |
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| Sugars 8g |
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| Potassium 336mg |
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| Sodium 1239mg |
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| Cholesterol 6mg |
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Cheese term - Related Content |
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| Crispy and brittle, this food item is a unique way to provide a small serving of oven baked cheese for a snack or an appetizer. Referred to as a Frico in Italian kitchens, the ... |
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| The outer edges, furthest away from the center, of cheese that has been formed into a disk or wheel of cheese. On some types of cheese, the outside of the cheese is often a wax ... |
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| A type of basic bread that is flavored with cheese. The cheese is often grated and kneaded into the dough and/or can be used to top the dough. There are many recipes for cheese ... |
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| Made from mild varieties of semi-soft cheese, a cheese stick is a food product that has been formed into a rod-like, individual serving of cheese. Commonly made from cheddar ... |
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| An hors d'oeuvre made with spreadable cheese that is blended or covered with a variety of other ingredients to enhance the flavor of the cheese. Other food items such as herbs, ... |
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| Tasty and satisfying, the mildly spiced flavor of this cheese-filled egg bake is reminiscent of Mexican or Southwestern cuisine and makes an excellent dish to serve for a holiday brunch. |
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| An easy way to transform an ordinary breadstick into a flavorful, cheese-filled treat. |
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| Not your ordinary cheese spread—this inventive, versatile rendition features Muenster, Mexican, parmesan, and goat cheeses that merge into a smooth, flavorful spread that can be used as a tasty topping for crackers and baguette slices or as an accompaniment to fruit and vegetables. |
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| These cheese crisps are great as an appetizer and a delicious addition to soups and salads. |
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| A delicious way to make meatloaf, adding your own taste into the mixture. |
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