Q: When I buy cheese from my local cheesestore, it comes in special paper. Is this better than plastic wrap?
A: Every style of cheese has a different rind and moisture content, and because of that,...
ask the cheesemonger
Everybody has questions about cheese, no matter how much you might already know. How best to store your cheese at home? Why do cheesemakers like raw milk? Got a question? Maybe we already answered it. Check below. If not, submit your question and we'll try our best to answer it.
Q: I’m a lifelong cheese lover, but I’ve just been told by my doctor that I need to consume a low-sodium diet. Does this mean the end of interesting cheese for me?
A:Although a low-sodium diet might be...
Q: As with fruit, a ripe cheese seems to be a good thing. But when can you tell that it’s at that peak stage and not gone over the edge?
A: Knowing what to look for when selecting cheese will help you...
Q: My cheese has gone moldy. Is there some kind of CPR I can perform on it or should I throw it away?
A: Not to worry, there’s no need to get out the defibrillator paddles just yet. Mold growing on...
Q: I'm a cheese lover, so, please, don't take me wrong. I've just started reading about the art of cheesemaking and I'm genuinely curious. How does the process of obtaining the rennet work? How many baby animals are killed to get rennet for...
Q: I recently bought a handmade aged goat cheese that was absolutely wonderful–although at $38 per pound, it ought to be! Can you tell me why these artisan cheeses are often so pricey?
A:Years ago,...
Q: Why are some cheeses made from raw milk and some from pasteurized milk?
A: A much-publicized and ongoing debate regarding both the food safety and flavor of cheese made using either raw (...
Q: What makes a cheese “vegetarian”?
A: Many cheeses are traditionally made with animal rennet, a cocktail of enzymes harvested from the fourth stomach of a young, not-yet-weaned ruminant; usually it’s...
Q: I am lactose intolerant but love cheese. Are there any varieties that I can eat?
A: The good news is yes–as long as you proceed with care.
First off, it's important to clarify that lactose...
Q: What are cheese mites? Can I eat them?
A: Mites are a common visitor to many a cool, damp cheese cave. Although the creatures themselves are barely visible to the naked eye, evidence of their...
