Cheese is, unfortunately, not for everyone. There are the unfortunate lactose-intolerants, and there are those people who simply couldn’t stand its taste or smell. Some find cheese too salty, and some find certain types of it smelly. But for those of you who do appreciate cheese, especially those planning to visit Tower Deli, a restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, this blog article is the perfect guide for some of the different types of cheese we serve.
1. American Cheese
Yes, we’re starting with American Cheese. Some of you may not consider this “real cheese & because it’s not aged and fermented the old-fashioned way like brie or gouda. But honestly, the only difference it has from traditional cheese is that it’s processed
through modern technology, and different flavors were added to the pasteurized milk in order to give it more flavor. What’s really special about this, though, is its texture. Most people go for American cheese for meat, burgers, or sandwiches if they want to go for its soft, creamy, melted texture without overpowering the taste of meat with the strong smell of traditionally fermented cheese. So if this kind of gentleness is what you’re looking for, then who should keep you away from it?
2. Blue Cheese
The term actually refers to a family of cheese, not just one type. Examples are Gorgonzola and Roquefort, two varieties which are both under the blue cheese category. All cheeses under this family have been aged or fermented using the mold Penicillium, which gives it its blue holey patches or veins — one of its determining feature along with its sharp and strong kick to the taste buds. This type of cheese is perfect for salads if you want to experience its sharpness and strength.
3. Brie
This cheese got its name from its place of origin, Brie in Northern France. It is made from cow’s milk and is characterized by its soft and light flavors, due to the fact that only small amounts of bacterial cultures are added to it. And due to its lightness, Brie is perfect with ham, meat, or even wine. It has a soft, chewy, and light-yellowish inside and a harder, whiter rind that covers it.
But did you know that the most common question about Brie is this: “Can I eat the white rind?”
And the answer is ‘yes, you can’. It is perfectly edible, similar to the rind of all other cheeses out there. That doesn’t mean you have to, though. The rind has a different taste and texture from the rest of the cheese, so it’s perfectly up to you if you want to add that in. If you drop by our restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, you can have the option of putting whatever cheese you want in your salad. You can even order it by itself if you love cheese that much.
4. Cottage Cheese
This one is very different from the other types of cheese listed here since its production process is unlike the rest. Cottage cheese is made by acidifying curds from milk, not the milk itself, which yields a much lower fat content than other types of cheese. It is also unlike other types of cheese in a sense that it is very soft and lumpy, and is described to resemble cold rice pudding. Despite this lumpy texture, though, cottage cheese may be a lot less shocking to the taste for those of you who aren’t into strong-smelling cheeses. It is mild, salty, and creamy, which makes it perfect for all kinds of dishes whether that’s fruit, meat, or vegetables.
One more fact to take note of about cottage cheese is that the type of cheese most similar to it is the ricotta, especially in its curd form which is used in pastries, desserts, and even savory dishes.
5. Goat Cheese
Also known and more often called by its French name, Chèvre, which basically means “goat”. This variety can come in different forms and taste — it can be strong or mild, creamy or crumbly — and it can also be paired up with herbs or used in desserts. It has a distinct taste which comes from capric acid (from the Latin capra meaning “goat”), a component that promotes the development of good bacteria.
Goat cheese is also known to have very low lactose content, which means that if you’re lactose intolerant but still want cheese, then here’s the option that won’t kill you or send you to the hospital.
6. Mozzarella
Mozzarella cheese is one of the most well-known types of cheese in the world, and we can thank the Italians and the pizza for that. Yes, mozzarella (at least the dried variety) is that chewy, stretchy, creamy cheese in pizzas, lasagnas, and many other baked dishes. But Mozzarella also has a fresh variety, and this one can be served by itself, with salt or pepper, with olive oil and herbs (i.e. thyme, oregano, parsley), or as an addition to vegetable salads — especially salads with tomatoes. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t explore or experiment on the kinds of food you want to pair it up with, since mozzarella is indeed delicious, and it isn’t as strong as other types of cheese. An example of a delectable dish with fresh mozzarella would be the Ciabatta, a sandwich made out of grilled bell peppers, squash, onions, and pesto sauce along with the cheese.
7. Parmesan Cheese
This one is also included among the most famous kinds of cheese around the world, still thanks to Italians and their pasta. Also called Parmigiano-Reggiano, this cheese is dry, crumbly, and hard with a strong flavor that varies depending on its age. Its taste makes it perfect for meat dishes, or even for other savory dishes that go well with a dash of creaminess.
8. Swiss Cheese
Don’t be fooled. This isn’t the same as Gruyère which actually came from Switzerland. This variety is also known as American Swiss Cheese, which is the type common in the US, notorious for its shiny, pale-yellow appearance, and flavor that’s mild, sweet, and nutty. Some types of swiss cheese are known for their holes or “eyes”, just like those usually portrayed in cartoons, and it is believed that a swiss cheese with bigger eyes is more delicious. It can be eaten with wine, fruits, vegetables, or even ham and salami, due to its non-smelly flavor.
Conclusion
All these pieces of information just go to show that different types of cheese have different uses. You can use them for different dishes, and combine them with a wide variety of ingredients. But it doesn’t necessarily mean that all of them can substitute one another, no. And no, it’s not something awful if you’re not into only some of them. It’s not appalling if you only like mozzarella, blue cheese, or Swiss. It’s up to you. And that’s why we at Tower Deli make sure to provide a wide variety of cheeses for you, so you can choose the best combination of flavors that fits well with your palate.
So if ever you’re in Florida, whether you’re here to visit or here to stay, come visit our restaurant in Fort Lauderdale to enjoy all our flavors. There’s no need to be anxious about what you’re having because you can check our menu online beforehand, or even order online. Also, feel free to give us a call for more information. Don’t miss the opportunity of experiencing the rich cheesy world of flavors brought to you by Tower Deli.
