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WELCOME TO THE VINTAGE HALLOWEEN CURDBOX!
As October nights grow longer and a subtle chill fills the air, Halloween takes on a timeless charm, where the past and present seem to dance together. Shadows cast by carved pumpkins sway gently across the scene, casting an atmosphere where the excitement of Halloween seamlessly intertwines with the quiet beauty of age and change. In this gradual shift, aged cheeses take on a mystical allure—their weathered textures and deep aromas embody the essence of autumn’s transformation. The perfect blend of the vintage and the mysterious serves as a reminder of time’s patient touch—and the magic of the season. Now, let’s take a look at what we have patiently waiting for us in this month’s box...
The Everton 8 Month by Jacobs and Brichford and the Fig Jam by Divina
Everton (8 Month) by Jacobs and Brichford
Everton, crafted by Jacobs and Brichford Farmstead Cheese in the Whitewater Valley of Southeastern Indiana, is a remarkable Alpine-style cheese made from 100% grass-fed raw cow's milk. Aged for at least 8 months, Everton embodies a perfect balance of firm creaminess and evolving sharpness. Its flavor is a lively blend of savory and sweet, with rich notes of roasted nuts and buttery fried dough. Like the finest European Alpine cheeses, Everton surprises with a bright onion-like zip, a brothy depth, and a long, slightly spiced finish. Named after a nearby Indiana town, this cheese showcases the artistry of American traditional cheesemaking with a touch of European influence.
The 2 Year Gouda by L’Amuse and the Pecan Shortbread Cookies by Rustic Bakery
2 Year Gouda by L'Amuse
L’Amuse Signature Gouda, crafted by renowned Dutch cheesemonger and affineur Betty Koster and her husband Martin at their acclaimed Fromagerie L’Amuse in Amsterdam, is a truly distinctive take on aged Gouda. Aged for at least two years under slightly warmer conditions than typical Goudas, this cheese develops an exceptional creaminess while preserving the signature crystalline crunch. Its dense, crumbly texture is interspersed with these delightful cheese crystals, adding to its robust character. The flavor profile is captivating, with rich, complex notes of butterscotch, salted caramel, and toasted hazelnuts. As the Netherlands' preeminent cheese expert, Koster has turned L’Amuse into a beloved destination for cheese enthusiasts worldwide, making this Gouda a testament to her expertise and passion for extraordinary cheeses.
5 Year Cheddar by Hook's
Julie and Tony Hook started making cheese in 1976 and have since become stars in the Wisconsin cheese community. Their 5-Year Cheddar strikes a perfect balance between sharpness and subtle sweetness. Aged for five years in carefully controlled curing caves, this cheddar develops a rich, complex flavor that is robust yet nuanced. While its sharpness is pronounced, it never overwhelms the palate, leaving room for delicate hints of creaminess and sweetness to shine through. The texture is a delightful mix of crumbly and smooth, a testament to the meticulous aging process that allows this cheddar to mature to perfection without losing its balanced character. This cheddar’s well-rounded flavor profile, offering boldness without sacrificing delicacy, showcases Hook’s commitment to creating exceptional, perfectly matured cheeses.
And here are the pairing items that go along with these amazing cheeses…
Pecan Shortbread Cookies by Rustic Bakery
Rustic Bakery’s Pecan Shortbread Cookies are a sublime combination of rich flavors and contrasting textures, expertly crafted by hand in California. Made with premium all-natural ingredients, these cookies feature the perfect balance of creamy butter, caramelized sugar, and crunchy pecans, resulting in a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth experience. With flavors reminiscent of traditional Southern-style pecan cookies, they evoke a comforting sense of nostalgia while delivering a luxurious, buttery finish. Since their founding in 2005 Rustic Bakery has evolved from a kitchen-hobby into a renowned artisanal bakery with four cafes in Marin County. Today, their handcrafted treats, including these iconic shortbread cookies, are made in their expanded Sonoma County facility, where they continue to elevate simple ingredients into refined indulgences.
Chocolate with Almonds Bar by Blanxart
In 1954, Spanish master chocolatier Francesc Agrás set out on a journey across Europe to immerse himself in the world of chocolate, igniting a passion that would lead to the creation of Bonbons Blanxart, one of Catalonia’s most esteemed chocolate factories. What began in a modest workshop in Barcelona’s Les Corts neighborhood grew into a celebrated brand, driven by the desire to source the finest cocoa beans from Ghana, the Congo, and Ecuador. Blanxart’s "bean to chocolate" process is a meticulous craft, where single-origin beans are carefully roasted and milled using traditional methods. This artisanal approach, rooted in a commitment to quality and flavor, results in some of Spain’s most exquisite chocolates, known for their intense aromas, rich flavors, and refined textures. Today, the company remains loyal to its heritage, continuing to produce exceptional chocolate in the same authentic, handcrafted way that Agrás had always envisioned.
Fig Jam by Divina
Divina’s Fig Jam encapsulates the true essence of Mediterranean tradition, bringing the rich, sun-ripened flavor of figs to life in every spoonful. Made with sustainably sourced ingredients from family-owned farms, this jam balances natural sweetness with a hint of tang, enhanced by the satisfying crunch of fig seeds. Its smooth, velvety texture and complex flavor reflect the artistry behind Mediterranean cuisine, drawing from the culinary heritage of Greece, Italy, Turkey, and Spain. By partnering with local farms and ensuring traceability from harvest to jar, Divina honors both the land and the time-honored traditions that make this fig jam an authentic taste of the Mediterranean.
And with that—we wrap up this month’s box.
Here, each bite is a taste of history, rich with the passage of time, fitting seamlessly into the enchantment of Halloween—a celebration of the aged, the mysterious, and the wonderfully delicious.
We’ll see you next month.
Did you take some photos while enjoying this box that you were thinking of adding to Instagram? Please tag us @curdbox along with our cheese and pairing-partners: @jandbfarm, @fromagerielamuse, @hookscheeseco, @rusticbakery, @blanxartchocolates, and @eatdivina. We love to see our cheese lovers enjoying their boxes!
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