Coloring within the lines…
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Photo courtesy of Walls360
That was a phrase that many of us were told when we were young…A brand new coloring book, a fresh box of Crayola® Crayons, and the encouragement to “color within the lines.”
While this may have been easy for some children, others just loved to scribble in an attempt to use as much of the color as they wanted.
In this week’s post, I am going to explore the more “colorful” cheeses and share them with you. The Cheese Traveler Blog is not a forum to judge cheese, rather to try and bring the cheese from around the world to you…So, when writing this piece I will be in many cases using the manufacturer’s descriptions of their cheese, and not my own.
Photo courtesy of wikimedia
I have said many times that color, could be the “fifth” element in cheese because it is (most) always added. I am not speaking of the golden hue found in cheese coming from grass fed cows…no, I speak of bright orange cheese where the color comes from Annatto, a food coloring which is derived from the seeds of the Achiote tree (Bixa orellana).
Today’s cheeses are something rare, unusual, probably hard to find, but they are out there. Let’s begin…
Pecorino Bio con Spirulina – Made in Italy - “Severino Becagli’s Pecorino with Spirulina is made exclusively with milk from sheep that graze on Tuscan Maremma’s fields which are cultivated using organic methods.
This pecorino is rich in tradition and is produced for Severino Becagli by a Tuscan winner of excellence in the international BioCaseus contest promoted by Aiab (Associazione italiana per agricoltura biologica).
Photo Courtesy of Severino Becagli
The cheese factory has also been selected because of the specific microclimate of the Amiata Mountain that it operates in.
The milk transformation takes place employing only artisanal techniques. The milk is curdled at low temperature which helps maintain its aroma and properties unaltered, resulting in a sweet tasting pecorino with an intense aroma.
The addition of Spirulina algae gives the product a distinctive taste and a unique shade of color.
The green-bluish nuances guarantee the presence of Severino Becagli’s Spirulina, along with all its beneficial properties.
Enjoy our Pecorino as it is, or with honey or jam. It can also be added to hot or cold dishes making them tasty and fun.” (Cheese Traveler Note: In case you are not aware, BIO is the European version of our USDA Organic, although not as stringent).
Photo courtesy of Veldhuyzen Kaas
Basiron Pesto Rosso – Made in Holland – “This cheese is full of delicious red tomatoes and fresh Italian herbs. Due to its bright red color and great taste, Basiron Pesto Rosso excites all your senses. It is full and creamy with the perfect amount of refreshing ripe tomato and Italian herbs in every bite. It is an unforgettable harmony of entwined flavors.
Made from pasteurized cow’s milk and vegetable rennet, Basiron Pesto Rosso is produced and matured according to the traditional Dutch Gouda recipe and methods. Aged for 5-6 weeks, it is firm enough to slice yet still supple”.
Photo courtesy of Amanti
Amanti Guacamole Cheese – Made in Holland – “Amanti Guacamole reaches back half a millennium to combine Aztec cuisine with a full-fat Gouda cheese. This cheese is produced with an authentic Gouda recipe, then a blend of avocado and lime juice with touches of chili, tomato, onion and garlic are added, bringing out the best in this Mexican styled Dutch Gouda. Amanti Guacamole cheese in fact sticks strictly to the simple, delicious recipes of both the Gouda base and the Mexican style guacamole. This cheese caters for modern tastes, but stays true to traditional recipes and ingredients.How best to enjoy Guacamole cheese? Surprise your family and friends by presenting this eye-catching cheese on your next cheese platter, served with ice cold beers. Rather keep this cheese to yourself? Add it to your favorite Mexican dish or grilled cheese.”
Photo courtesy of Gouds Kaashuis
Black Lemon Gouda – Made in Holland – “a unique cheese that you must taste to believe! Extremely tasteful with a delicious refreshing lemon flavor, enriched with vitamin D and a finishing touch of charcoal, Gouda Black Lemon ‘goth’ it all!”
Ruscello Life – Made in Holland - An entirely new type of cheese! A cheese full of character with a soft fresh taste and a spicy accent. In addition to great taste, the cheese is also a feast for the eyes, the colorful mix of white, bright green and deep red. Made from the best Dutch Cow and Goat milk. Made with a pinch of green paprika, a dash of spicy pepper and a lot of care.
These cheeses may not be for you or suit your taste, but they are meant to be fun, they are meant to get people talking, tasting, and trying new things. You never know…50 years from now, we may be wondering how we ever lived without such colorful food.
My guess is that these cheesemakers as young children couldn’t stay within the lines either. Just like me…
Until next week,
Trevor
