Serious Eats
Serious Eats Gift Guide: For Cheese Lovers
Cheese—really good cheese—can be an expensive hobby, especially in these fiscally challenging times. This year's cheese gift guide is focused on ideas $25 and under, but will still impress the caseophiles in your life. (Prices don't include shipping unless otherwise noted.)
Max McCalman's Cheese Deck
Max McCalman, the Maître Fromager at Artisanal and Picholine in New York, has created a beautiful deck of cheese-themed flash cards—a companion set to his book, Cheese: A Connoisseur's Guide to the World's Best. Each card in the set of 50 displays a photo of a particular variety as well as information about "how each one is made, who the best producers are, where to store it, and how to serve it for maximum enjoyment." $10.17 at amazon.com
Murray's Cheese Tasting Notebook
There's an overwhelming variety of cheese out there, and it can certainly be hard to remember what you've tried and how you've felt about it. Murray's offers a solution to this with their "Notes on Cheese" notebook, which has space to stick all the labels from your cheeses and check off adjectives that describe the cheese. $10 at murrayscheese.com
Vella Dry Jack
One of the keys to extending your cheese budget during these tough times is to buy cheeses that are hardier and more versatile than others. Vella Dry Jack is an American original, aged for 7-10 months longer than regular Monterey Jack and rubbed during aging with a beautiful mix of cocoa and pepper. It'll last a long time in your fridge and can be used in cooking just as easily as it can be enjoyed on its own. It's nutty and sweet, somewhere between a real Dutch Gouda and Parmigiano-Reggiano. $13 for a half-pound at zingermans.com
Home Cheese Making Book
Last year we told you about Ricki Carroll's excellent mozzarella-making kit. For the amateur cheesemaker in your life who is ready to take the next step, take a look at Ricki's book on Home Cheese Making. Not only does it have recipes for 100 cheeses and other dairy products, there is also some great background on the general science behind cheesemaking as well as interviews with a selection of American cheesemakers. $16.95 at cheesemaking.com
Artisanal's Fondue in a Box
Yes it sounds weird, but I have actually tried it and it's better than it sounds. This is essentially the same traditional Swiss fondue recipe Artisanal serves in its bistro, except in a box. Just add white wine, water and some heat! I'm telling you, don't knock it till you've tried it. It comes out really well and it's super easy. Okay this one isn't technically under $25, but it's close enough. $26 at artisanalcheese.com