Types of Cheese: Everything a Cook Should Know
Types of Cheese: Everything a Cook Should Know
Fresh cheese is one of the most versatile ingredients in the culinary world, adding texture, flavor, and richness to countless dishes. From sharp, tangy varieties that make your taste buds sing to creamy, mild cheeses that melt beautifully, each type of cheese brings its unique character to the table.
Knowing about different types of cheese and their uses can open up new possibilities in the kitchen. Here’s an in-depth look at the types of cheese every cook should know about.
One of the most popular cheeses globally, cheddar comes in various ages, from mild to extra sharp. Cheddar is a semi-hard cheese made from cow’s milk, and as it ages, its flavor deepens, and its texture becomes crumbly. Mild cheddar is creamy and smooth, while sharp cheddar has a stronger, tangier taste and is a bit drier.
HelloFresh Tip: Use cheddar for everything from melting on burgers to shredding over casseroles. Sharp cheddar is perfect in dishes that need a bold flavor, like mac and cheese, while mild cheddar pairs well with apples and crackers.
HelloFresh Tip: Use cheddar for everything from melting on burgers to shredding over casseroles. Sharp cheddar is perfect in dishes that need a bold flavor, like mac and cheese, while mild cheddar pairs well with apples and crackers.
Mozzarella is an Italian cheese made from buffalo milk or cow’s milk and is known for its smooth, elastic texture. This semi-soft cheese has a mild flavor and high moisture content, making it perfect for melting. Fresh mozzarella is soft and tender, often enjoyed in caprese salads or sliced on pizza.
HelloFresh Tip: Mozzarella is essential for pizzas, lasagnas, and paninis due to its melting quality. Fresh mozzarella pairs beautifully with tomatoes, basil, and olive oil for simple, delicious salads.
HelloFresh Tip: Mozzarella is essential for pizzas, lasagnas, and paninis due to its melting quality. Fresh mozzarella pairs beautifully with tomatoes, basil, and olive oil for simple, delicious salads.
Parmigiano-Reggiano, known to most people as just parmesan, is a hard, granular aged cheese with a nutty, umami flavor. Made in Italy, parmesan is aged for 12 to 36 months, which gives it a rich, complex taste and crumbly texture. Its intense flavor makes it ideal for grating over pasta, salads, and soups.
HelloFresh Tip: Parmesan’s bold flavor shines in pesto and Alfredo sauces. Add shaved or grated parmesan to enhance any pasta dish, or sprinkle it over roasted vegetables for an extra layer of flavor.
HelloFresh Tip: Parmesan’s bold flavor shines in pesto and Alfredo sauces. Add shaved or grated parmesan to enhance any pasta dish, or sprinkle it over roasted vegetables for an extra layer of flavor.
Brie is a soft, creamy cow’s milk cheese with a bloomy rind, originating in Europe but ultra-popular in America. Its mild, buttery flavor and smooth texture make it a popular choice for cheese boards. As it warms up, brie becomes soft and gooey, making it perfect for spreading.
HelloFresh Tip: Enjoy brie as part of a charcuterie board with fruits and nuts, or bake it with honey and nuts for a sweet-savory appetizer. Its creamy texture also works well melted in sandwiches.
HelloFresh Tip: Enjoy brie as part of a charcuterie board with fruits and nuts, or bake it with honey and nuts for a sweet-savory appetizer. Its creamy texture also works well melted in sandwiches.
Gouda is a semi-hard Dutch cheese with a smooth texture and slightly sweet, nutty flavor. Young gouda is mild and creamy, while aged gouda develops a caramel-like richness and becomes firmer. Gouda’s versatility makes it a favorite for snacking, melting, and cooking.
HelloFresh Tip: Gouda melts well and is fantastic in grilled cheese sandwiches or baked dishes. Pair aged gouda with figs, nuts, or wine for a sophisticated snack.
HelloFresh Tip: Gouda melts well and is fantastic in grilled cheese sandwiches or baked dishes. Pair aged gouda with figs, nuts, or wine for a sophisticated snack.
Swiss cheese, known for its distinct holes, is a mild cheese with a slightly nutty flavor. Made from cow’s milk, Swiss cheese is semi-hard and has a smooth texture. Its holes are created during fermentation when bacteria release gas bubbles, making it a unique choice for cheese boards and sandwiches.
HelloFresh Tip: Swiss cheese is perfect in sandwiches, especially classic ham and cheese. Use it in quiches, fondue, and other baked dishes where its nutty flavor can shine through.
HelloFresh Tip: Swiss cheese is perfect in sandwiches, especially classic ham and cheese. Use it in quiches, fondue, and other baked dishes where its nutty flavor can shine through.
Blue cheese is easily spotted because of its blue-green veins, which are created in the cheesemaking process by adding mold cultures like penicillium. This cheese is tangy, creamy, and pungent, with a distinct sharpness. Varieties of blue cheese include Roquefort, Stilton, and Gorgonzola.
HelloFresh Tip: Blue cheese adds a flavorful punch to salads, burgers, and dressings. Crumble it over roasted vegetables or add it to sauces for an extra kick.
HelloFresh Tip: Blue cheese adds a flavorful punch to salads, burgers, and dressings. Crumble it over roasted vegetables or add it to sauces for an extra kick.
Feta is a Greek cheese traditionally made from sheep’s milk or a blend of sheep’s and goat’s milk. This cheese has a crumbly texture and a tangy, salty flavor, making it ideal for salads and Mediterranean dishes. Feta is stored in a salt brine, which helps preserve its freshness and adds to its distinct taste.
HelloFresh Tip: Feta is fantastic in Greek salads, stuffed peppers, and as a topping for pizzas. Crumble it over roasted vegetables or blend it into dips for added flavor.
HelloFresh Tip: Feta is fantastic in Greek salads, stuffed peppers, and as a topping for pizzas. Crumble it over roasted vegetables or blend it into dips for added flavor.
Ricotta is an Italian cheese with a mild, creamy flavor and soft, grainy texture. Made from whey, ricotta is low in fat and high in protein, making it a healthier option in many dishes. Its versatility allows it to be used in both sweet and savory recipes.
HelloFresh Tip: Ricotta is a classic ingredient in lasagna and stuffed pasta dishes. Use it in pancakes, cheesecakes, or on toast with honey for a delicious breakfast option.
HelloFresh Tip: Ricotta is a classic ingredient in lasagna and stuffed pasta dishes. Use it in pancakes, cheesecakes, or on toast with honey for a delicious breakfast option.
Cream cheese is a fresh, mild cheese with a smooth and creamy texture. It’s often used as a spread for bagels and sandwiches and as a base for dips and cheesecakes. This cheese has a high fat content, giving it a rich, satisfying taste.
HelloFresh Tip: Use cream cheese in frosting, queso, or as a creamy addition to soups and sauces. It’s also fantastic as a stuffing for chicken or vegetables.
HelloFresh Tip: Use cream cheese in frosting, queso, or as a creamy addition to soups and sauces. It’s also fantastic as a stuffing for chicken or vegetables.
Manchego is a Spanish cheese made from sheep’s milk, known for its creamy, buttery texture and slightly tangy flavor. It’s aged for various lengths of time, with younger Manchego being milder and creamier, while aged Manchego develops a firmer texture and stronger taste.
HelloFresh Tip: Manchego is excellent on cheese boards and pairs beautifully with olives, almonds, and quince paste. Enjoy it with a glass of red wine for a true taste of Spain.
HelloFresh Tip: Manchego is excellent on cheese boards and pairs beautifully with olives, almonds, and quince paste. Enjoy it with a glass of red wine for a true taste of Spain.
Pecorino Romano is a hard, salty Italian cheese made from sheep’s milk. Known for its sharp, intense flavor, this cheese is often grated over pasta dishes like carbonara or cacio e pepe. Its saltiness also makes it a great addition to soups and salads.
HelloFresh Tip: Use Pecorino Romano as a bolder alternative to parmesan in Italian recipes. It adds a distinctive punch to any dish and works well grated over pasta or risotto.
HelloFresh Tip: Use Pecorino Romano as a bolder alternative to parmesan in Italian recipes. It adds a distinctive punch to any dish and works well grated over pasta or risotto.
Burrata is an Italian cheese that resembles fresh mozzarella but with a delightful twist—it’s filled with a soft, creamy interior. The outer shell is made of mozzarella, while the inside contains stracciatella and cream, creating a luscious texture and mild flavor.
HelloFresh Tip: Serve burrata with tomatoes, fresh basil, and a drizzle of olive oil for a delicious caprese upgrade. It’s also perfect as a topping for pizzas and salads.
HelloFresh Tip: Serve burrata with tomatoes, fresh basil, and a drizzle of olive oil for a delicious caprese upgrade. It’s also perfect as a topping for pizzas and salads.
Provolone is a semi-hard Italian cheese with a mild, slightly smoky flavor. It can be aged to develop a sharper taste and is often found in two varieties: provolone dolce (mild) and provolone piccante (sharp). Its smooth texture and melting ability make it ideal for many dishes.
HelloFresh Tip: Provolone is fantastic in sandwiches, especially in Italian subs and Philly cheesesteaks. Melt it over meats, or use it to top pasta dishes and casseroles.
HelloFresh Tip: Provolone is fantastic in sandwiches, especially in Italian subs and Philly cheesesteaks. Melt it over meats, or use it to top pasta dishes and casseroles.
Gruyère is a Swiss cheese known for its smooth, firm texture and nutty flavor. This cheese melts beautifully, making it a staple for fondue and French onion soup. As it ages, Gruyère’s flavor intensifies, becoming more complex and earthy. For another alternative to traditional Swiss cheese, consider Emmental.
HelloFresh Tip: Gruyère is perfect for gratins, quiches, and sandwiches. Its nutty flavor enhances dishes with creamy sauces or melted cheese, making it ideal for casseroles.
HelloFresh Tip: Gruyère is perfect for gratins, quiches, and sandwiches. Its nutty flavor enhances dishes with creamy sauces or melted cheese, making it ideal for casseroles.
Camembert is a soft, creamy cheese with a bloomy rind, originating from Normandy, France. Similar to brie, it has a buttery, mild flavor when young and develops a more earthy, mushroom-like taste as it matures. Its interior becomes runny and creamy at room temperature, making it perfect for spreading.
HelloFresh Tip: Camembert is delicious when baked with honey, herbs, or garlic—perfect as a warm appetizer. Pair it with crusty bread and fruit like apples or figs for a satisfying snack or cheeseboard addition.
HelloFresh Tip: Camembert is delicious when baked with honey, herbs, or garlic—perfect as a warm appetizer. Pair it with crusty bread and fruit like apples or figs for a satisfying snack or cheeseboard addition.