CHEESE 2026
Stercus Tauri
Shipmate
in Heaven
Am in serious need of a frivolous diversion... Might there be some interest in sharing thoughts, experiences, passions, horrors etc on the subject of CHEESE?
I was prompted by finding a piece of Stilton in the back of the fridge. It had been there for some months - a forgotten birthday treat to myself. Its appearance is a disgusting mixture of grey and brown and yellow and green - a clear hazmat case requiring the immediate attendance of persons in white overalls with flashing blue lights on their van. I knew better, of course, cut off a piece and ate it. I immediately felt like a better, happier person. What cheese makes you happier?
I was prompted by finding a piece of Stilton in the back of the fridge. It had been there for some months - a forgotten birthday treat to myself. Its appearance is a disgusting mixture of grey and brown and yellow and green - a clear hazmat case requiring the immediate attendance of persons in white overalls with flashing blue lights on their van. I knew better, of course, cut off a piece and ate it. I immediately felt like a better, happier person. What cheese makes you happier?
Comments
My second favourite is Somerset Brie.
I've completely deserted Lancashire! Although Lancashire creamy is certainly a treat.
I thought I would miss my Canadian six year old cheddar and St. Agur Quebec bleu but I don't. The cheese landscape here is rich and varied.
AFF
Heretic! The best cheese has a balance between sharpness and flavour that saves your buccal lining from harm. The greatgest I have found was a 14 year old Canadian cheddar on Saffron Walden market, now sadly sold out.
I'm also a fan of the acid, crumbly cheeses like Wensleydale* and Lancashire.
* can anyone not hear that in Wallace's voice?
Cheese in combo with food is a different matter. Parmesan probably leads the field - fennel baked with that and black pepper is to die for. Blue cheese crumbled over a green salad. Cheddar over baked potato. The occasional fondue.
My absolute detestation is cheese which has been 'mucked about' by having things added - bits of apricot or other fruit, walnut, whatever. Good cheese absolutely does not need tarting up by smart-alecs set on inventing new marketing tricks.
At the far distant end of the scale, though, would be a freshly made mozzarella, slightly salty and creamy to the taste with no smell at all, and quite delectable if it has caraway seeds in it. It is a lovely cheese, and I have a theory that the closer you get to New York the better it gets.
Er... is that actually safe? Is that what it's supposed to look like, or do you mean that's what it became between your birthday and now?