Sam and Cheese

Pictured: Cowgirl Creamery’s Mt. Tam drizzled with Primo’s (local to Colorado) Honey + Aji Cristal on an Effie’s Almond Biscuit. A simple pairing that provides a crispy yet creamy texture with a little zest at the end.

“Samples?!”. It’s the question of the day every day. And yes, I always have samples.

I live in a small town in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado where we get people visiting from all over the world. One of the main questions I get asked a lot is, “what cheeses do I need for a cheese board?”. It’s music to my ears. When helping guests, I always like to offer a tasting of some sort. People who travel are looking for an experience and what better way to enhance their experience than to introduce them to a new cheese?

I often see guests selecting a cheese based on how it looks or how it smells. However, you don’t get the full experience through a piece of cellophane plastic. A lot of cheeses don’t always taste how they smell so it’s important to actually taste a cheese before making a selection. Sure, I can describe the flavor and texture to a guest but they may not process the same sensory notes that I do as a trained cheesemonger. No cheese is bad cheese, but not everyone’s palette is accustomed to the unique flavors some cheeses offer.

Tastings and samples allow me to connect cheese and people on a different level. While from the outside, it just seems like I’m cutting a plain ole morsel of cheese to share with a guest, when in reality I’m about to lead them to a whole different dimension. Cheese tells a story from that first bite all the way to the finish. You can taste where it came from, the process it went through, the cultures, the animal and even how it was feeling during the milking process. It can either bring you home to your roots or it can transport you to somewhere you’ve never been before. It’s a beautiful experience and one I often recommend.

Cheese has been proven by science to have a “feel good” effect on our brains. Specifically, cheese creates a natural euphoric experience driven by the break down of casein proteins into casomorphins which can trigger dopamine receptors in the brain offering a “stress relief” effect. In other words, cheese creates happiness. It’s also a part of a well balanced diet for some. In some studies, it has been proven that people who eat cheese are less likely to become overweight due to incorporating cheese with other fibrous foods such as fruits and vegetables. It creates longer lasting satiety and can be a long-lasting energy source. Too long; don’t read- Cheese is good for you.

Cheese is a soul food. A comfort. It’s a food that creates community and brings people together. When I have samples out on the counter, there’s never just one guest standing there, there’s several. It starts with one noticing the sample and then others following along. Soon enough, I hear complete strangers talking amongst themselves about the pairing or the cheese itself. I see hugs being had and even new friendships evolving. It’s amazing what just little taste of cheese can do.

What was your first experience like with cheese? What’s your favorite?

Stay Cheesy!