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Our August flex is here, and it's a rallying cry from the artisanal cheese world: Moo Bah Mah! That stands for cow-sheep-goat, so that means for our three cheeses this month are from these three milk types. They're all very different—a sheepy gouda-style cheese, a rich goat gouda, and a creamy cow's cheddar, but it's a great way to see if you can pick out the flavor differences among the milks. And of course, we have three vegetarian, gluten-free, and nut-free pairings that play off these cheeses and capture a large range of tastes and textures. So let's cry it out and then dig in—Moo Bah Mah!
The Moo Bah Mah August 2023 curdboxFLEX
Ewephoria by Cheeseland
Our first cheese is a gouda-style cheese from Holland’s Cheeseland, the cleverly named Ewephoria. If you think you don’t like sheep’s cheese, then it’s even more important that you try this one—Cheeseland developed this cheese specifically for American tastes. They partnered with a family farm in the Friesland part of Holland, where the sheep graze on lush pasture (the owners joke that the sheep eat better than their children do), and follow a gouda-like process, though using different cultures. The result is not just a cheese that isn’t very “sheepy”, but a cheese that has been called “cheese candy”. It’s sweet and nutty, with butterscotch notes, along with those delightfully crunchy crystals.
Goat Gouda by Beemster Cheese
Beemster Cheese is known for its high quality and exceptional taste, with a variety of styles that range from mild to aged, making them one of the best cheesemakers in Holland. And their Goat Gouda is no exception in their award-winning line of fantastic cheeses. This Gouda is crafted from the milk of goats that graze in North Holland's lush, fertile pastures. The result is a creamy, buttery flavor that works well with most of your favorite pairings. Beemster uses their artisan-cheese-making techniques to craft a goat's milk cheese worthy of their name. Its traditional aging methods help develop a mellow, full-bodied taste that is buttery, lightly sweet, and refreshing without any of the sour "goatiness" that is characteristic of most goat cheeses. Uniquely flavored without being overly powerful or pungent, this cheese is an excellent first step into the world of goat cheese for those who have yet to try them. Decidedly different from your everyday chèvre, this cheese is sure to please even the pickiest of palates, making it the perfect choice for friends, family, connoisseurs, and casuals.
Tintern by Somerdale
Our final cheese you'll be able to pick out immediately from its green wax rind and green flecks inside. Tintern is a Welsh-style cheddar from Somerdale, which is salty and full-flavored. With chives and shallots mixed right in, it's cheddar and onions already. Again, like all cheeses, this one should be brought to room temperature in order to reach its full expression. It will also soften up much more than a standard cheddar—to the point where it could be pressed with a knife and spread across bread like a, uh, spread. Whatever you choose to do, you can't go wrong—a bite of this is basically a complete and self-contained comfort food.
Gluten-Free Sea Salt Crackers by Onesto
Onesto's crackers are addictively crunchy and have a slightly nutty, salty finish. The wonderful raw almond meal and extra virgin olive oil comes through in every bite, and the hand-sprinkled pink Himalayan salt on top is the perfect finishing touch.
Quicos by Mitica
Imported by Mitica, these are popular snack in Spain that we also think are killer on a cheese board. These corn kernels have been soaked in water before being fried until they really are the “King of Crunch”, as the container states. The soaking step is important, because the water puffs the kernels up. When the frying evaporates the water, it means the kernel is light and crisp, so you can bite into them without breaking your teeth. These are salted on the heavier side, but it’s just the right amount to bring out the deep corn flavor. The beautifully bronzed exterior add another layer of flavor and texture to this month’s box.
Sweet Red Pepper Relish by Fourth Creek
Finally, we're rounding it off with this supreme sweet red pepper from Fourth Creek. It's sweet, sour, and salty all at once, bringing a mega flavor hit to already flavor-packed board. This recipe is from Fourth Creek Founder Andy Schiavetti's mom, who would always make it when friends came over for dinner. Pretty soon, it got a cult following in their circle of friends, and they decided to make it into a business! Word got around so that it was even featured at the famous Martha Burger at Freds Restaurant in Barney's in NYC, and Martha herself endorsed the relish. So make like Martha and use this on your cheeseboard, on your veggie burgers, and beyond!
That's our box this month, we think it's a perfect example of how you can have a super flavorful board full of varying textures and aromas, all while being vegetarian, gluten-free and nut-free. Let us know what you think!
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