Quick Reference Guide for Buying, Storing and Serving Cheese

By Michael Colucci

Cheese is more than just peeling back the wrapper on a slice of American cheese. There are proper buying, storage and serving procedures that will help maintain freshness and ensure enhanced flavor and texture.

When buying cheese consider these three items.

*** Where to Shop

- Choose a reliable source such as a specialty market or gourmet grocery store.

- Find a cheese only market or a cheese restaurant. Many large metropolitan areas have restaurants that serve only cheese and wine.

- Shop at a gourmet food store that specializes in cheese.

*** Amount to Purchase

- Buy only what will be consumed with in a few days. Flavors and aroma of fine cheeses change over time in a home refrigerator.

*** Characteristics of Cheese

- Cheese should present the characteristics of that particular style. The interior should not have cracks, mold or discoloration in any form.

- Natural rind cheeses have a rustic appearance. The rind on the outside of these cheeses is a side product of production.

Blue or Roquefort styles will have some mold and cracks