Cheese of the Month
For years now “Of the Month Clubs” have been gaining popularity. There are wine, beer, meat, fruit, dessert, and many other clubs that send you one or more samples of the item each month. One type that is becoming more and more well liked is a cheese of the month clubs.
Advantages of a Cheese of the Month Club
A membership to a cheese of the month club is a great way to sample a variety of cheeses that you might not otherwise come across in your local grocery store. Some gourmet stores probably don’t carry the variety of different cheeses that you can get from some of these clubs, especially handcrafted artisan cheeses. If you are a cheese lover, what better way to expand your knowledge and tastes?
A cheese of the month club membership also makes a great gift. Most clubs sell memberships that run three, six, or twelve months. Depending on the club and what options you choose, you may actually get one two three different cheeses each month or a pound of one particular kind of cheese.
A great way to enjoy a membership to is plan parties with a group of friends. Perhaps one will agree to join a wine of the month club, another a fruit of the month, and another a dessert of the month. Combined with your cheese of the month selections, you have the makings and the excuse for a great party.
What Types of Cheeses Are Available?
The type of cheeses sent out each month by these clubs can depend on a lot of things.
- If the club employs their own “cheese expert”, he or she will sample many different cheeses from around the world and choose the best available at the time.
- If the club is one that sends several cheeses each month, the selections may be centered around a particular cheese making country like Italy or a particular cheese making regions such as those found in France.
- The monthly selections may be based on a theme like award winning cheeses or artisan cheeses from America.
- Some cheese of the month clubs may be more specific. For instance, there is a club that features nothing but cheeses made in Wisconsin.
Clubs with higher membership fees may offer more exotic artisan cheeses from some of the most famous cheesemakers in the world. Clubs like this may be called gourmet cheese of the month clubs. But the regular clubs may also offer an occasional artisan cheeses such as:
- Cabrales – This cheese is made only in the north of Spain and blends unpasteurized cows milk with goat or sheep milk.
- Abondonce cheese is made in France and uses raw milk exclusively from a breed of cattle called Abondonce.
Other Benefits of Membership in Cheese of the Month Clubs
The better clubs might offer some other benefits to their memberships besides their monthly shipments. These could include:
- A discount on purchases of the cheeses you like as long as you are a member.
- Tips on how to present cheese when serving it at parties.
- Advice on storing cheese.