When choosing Swiss cheese, look for whole blocks or wedges with large holes and a strong flavor. Larger holes mean it’s aged longer. Taste it before buying and cleanse your palate between bites. Whole blocks are versatile and stay fresh longer than slices.
Swiss cheese is often a great ingredient in sandwiches, soups, salads and hot meat dishes. Its strong, slightly musty flavor allows it to pair well with sweet red and white wines, savory breads, and aggressively seasoned meats and vegetables. The only problem may be that not all Swiss cheeses are created equal. When choosing a Swiss cheese, you should look for whole blocks or wedges of cheese with large holes and a very strong, punchy flavor.
If you want really good quality Swiss cheese, it’s best to look for blocks, wedges, or wheels, rather than slices. The large holes in good quality cheese make it difficult for producers to cut it easily, making small-skinned Swiss the cheese of choice. Whole blocks and wedges are also quite versatile. You can slice, dice and shred them at home. They can also stay fresh longer than slices. A moldy wedge of cheese is usually completely moldy, while a moldy block still has fresh cheese underneath.
The second step in choosing good quality Swiss is the size of the holes. Larger holes in Swiss cheese usually mean it has been aged longer and the bacteria had to carve out the air pockets longer. Cheese usually only gets better with time, so a well-ripened cheese is usually of finer quality than a young cheese. The holes in a desirable wedge of Swiss cheese are usually no smaller than a small coin or the tip of a man’s forefinger.
The third step in choosing the best Swiss cheese usually involves tasting it. Many cheese counters will allow you to sample the cheese you intend to purchase. In fact, if you’re creating a cheese platter, you’re generally expected to have tasted the cheese you’re serving to your guests. This ensures that your cheese is exactly what you expect it to be. It can also help you determine what to serve with it.
High-quality Swiss cheese is usually sharp and piquant, which first confronts the tongue with these sensations. After a few moments of tasting, you may notice a slightly sweet undertone. The best cheeses often feature these layers of flavors, although some varieties may have more layers than others. Don’t be afraid to ask to sample a few different types of cheese. Many shops or delicatessens sell different varieties and should be happy to accommodate you.
Cleanse the palate with a little water between cheesy bites so the flavors don’t mix. It can be difficult to figure out which type of Swiss is your favorite if tastes start racing together. When you’ve picked out the perfect Swiss cheese, wrap it in waxed paper and refrigerate it until you want to use it.
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