Whats your preferred cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich?

[kage69]

Haha, it sounds like we have some cheese lovers who know there are varieties out there you do not mess with. And I'm one of them.


I swear I can pick up the smell of Epoisses or Pont l' Eveque from a 1000 yards. The thought of eating the Norwegian brown stuff dullard just mentioned makes me want punch my monitor. Nasty, and on my tongue the rest of the day no matter what.

 

[nakedfrog]

I don't think that I've ever been to a cheese shop that doesn't let you try if you're buying. Particularly if you're asking their advice!

I don't know how common dedicated cheese shops are here. When I was looking for one in my area, I located one, and it had just recently opened. But my local grocer has a great selection, and frequently has samples of various types out, and they also have a little basket where bits generally 5oz and under end up, so you can try a range without committing to a large purchase.

 

[Kaido]

Thats part of the fun! You buy lots of small amounts of different cheeses. And I'd guess that someone curious about cheese wouldn't be buying a "cheese based product" instead!

I actually didn't know that we, as Americans, were "bad" at cheese. I was watching Stephen Fry in America last year & he was commenting on our poor quality of cheese and that kind of made me put 2 & 2 together. I mean, I grew up on Cheese Whiz, Doritos, Kraft singles, mac & cheese, etc. Unfortunately that has kind of mapped my flavor palette for life, haha, but I am slowly branching out into the cheese world. I don't really have any friends who are into it IRL to guide me, so that's basically what I've been doing for the last year too...just buying small amounts & trying them out. So far I think most "real" cheese are junk, but I have found some that I really like, such as gouda. And I also recognizing that properly pairing certain foods can bring out the flavor, having it fresher than what a Whole Food sells helps, and so on, so I'm not ready to rule anything out just yet.

But I have upgraded from Kraft singles to Velveeta, so that's something

 

[lxskllr]

Aldi frequently gets interesting cheese as a "special purchase". That's a good way of trying different cheeses on a budget. Their commodity grade cheese is decent also. That's what I generally get for routine use.

 

[nakedfrog]

Having family in Wisconsin, I had a head start on appreciation of proper cheeses. There was a cheese factory in my grandmother's town (which was small enough to be unincorporated--the town, not the cheese factory). It was maybe 1/8th of a mile down the road.

 

[louis redfoot]

Having family in Wisconsin, I had a head start on appreciation of proper cheeses. There was a cheese factory in my grandmother's town (which was small enough to be unincorporated--the town, not the cheese factory). It was maybe 1/8th of a mile down the road.

a packer! same.

 

[WelshBloke]

I don't know how common dedicated cheese shops are here.

I just meant shops that sell loose cheese. If I'm at the local supermarket and they have something that looks good I ask them for a sliver to taste and they are fine about it. Obviously I don't try to work my way through the whole display!

 

[WelshBloke]

I actually didn't know that we, as Americans, were "bad" at cheese. I was watching Stephen Fry in America last year & he was commenting on our poor quality of cheese and that kind of made me put 2 & 2 together. I mean, I grew up on Cheese Whiz, Doritos, Kraft singles, mac & cheese, etc.

I don't know enough about American cheese (by that I mean cheese made in America) to say if its bad or not. Your processed cheese products are horrible as substitutes for real cheese though.

Unfortunately that has kind of mapped my flavor palette for life, haha, but I am slowly branching out into the cheese world. I don't really have any friends who are into it IRL to guide me, so that's basically what I've been doing for the last year too...just buying small amounts & trying them out. So far I think most "real" cheese are junk, but I have found some that I really like, such as gouda.

Unfortunately for you (fortunately for me) there isn't a lot of crossover between processed cheese flavoured products and cheese.
I'd suggest baking a vacherin for something mild, runny and creamy but maybe stick with the milder mountain cheeses if you're struggling.
Still there's no law that says that you have to enjoy real cheese!

And I also recognizing that properly pairing certain foods can bring out the flavor, having it fresher than what a Whole Food sells helps, and so on, so I'm not ready to rule anything out just yet.

Fresh isn't important (depending on the cheese) not having it left wrapped in plastic for any length of time and not serving it cold, straight from the fridge are both important though!

Wine helps as well!

 

[nakedfrog]

a packer! same.

I have no idea what the PM you sent me is supposed to mean, and the reply option does not appear to be enabled.

 

[louis redfoot]

I have no idea what the PM you sent me is supposed to mean, and the reply option does not appear to be enabled.

well just tell all your friends and maybe you'll figure it out

one more thing, you don't love her, you just love the trophy.

 

[Exterous]

It says on the packet!

Given that you find it in the 'cheese' section of the grocer I don't think people are paying too much attention to the labeling.

I don't think that I've ever been to a cheese shop that doesn't let you try if you're buying. Particularly if you're asking their advice!

Who said anything about a cheese shop or having someone around to ask for advice? Cheese shops are rare in a lot of places in the US so many Americans are stuck with whatever their local groceries have available. Even if you have a grocery with a larger selection in a 'cheese' area there is a good chance its not staffed so you're left to rummage around on your own and read the generally unhelpful descriptions. For example the cheese area at my local grocery store only appears to be staffed from 9am-2pm on weekdays so its exceedingly rare that I can talk to anyone about the changing cheese selections. The other grocery option just has an array of pre-packaged cheeses of a more typical variety. You can find brie, cheddar, and gouda but thats about it and the only person you can talk to is the 16 year old stock boy who makes minimum wage