Artisanal Cheese Center's
Master Class Intensive
July 29 - August 1, 2006New York City
The following notes are from the first class of six I took at Artisanal Cheese Center in New York City. This cheese plate was the introduction to the class - showing the progression from soft and mild to strong cheeses. If you imagine that the plate is a clock - a cheese plate tasting always starts at 6 o'clock and proceeds clockwise. Our instructor for this class was Daphne Zephos. The italicized note under the cheese are paraphrased notes from the Artisanal Cheese Center and Daphne. The tasting notes are my personal notes enhanced by class discussions of each cheese. My favorites from this cheese plate were the Cabecou, Torta del Casar, and Roomano but I enjoyed all the cheeses on this plate.
#1 Cabecou Feuille, France, goat’s milk
From the Perigord region, this little cheese is dipped in plum brandy, sprinkled with pepper and wrapped in two chestnut leaves.
This one came from Soreda.
The little goat’s cheese was wrapped chestnut leaves (the leaf is not edible) and topped with crushed peppercorns. The leaves are caught together with a wooden toothpick. This cheese is fresh with no rind and has a faintly beige tint to it. It smells of fresh chestnut leaves, butter and pepper. Smells slightly sweet. Cabecou Feuille has a creamy texture with a flinty characteristic. The pepper is intense on the finish. There seems to be green peppercorns (or more than one kind of black) used here as well. This smooth cheese dissolves on the palate completely. Leaves some saltiness and that balances any trace of bitterness.
#2 Chaource Bourguignon, France, cow’s milk
Named after the small French town and made since the 14th century. It is a double crème. Made by Chantal Plasse.
Chaource Bourguignon runs at the rind and the rind is dogeared and detached – it should not look this way. It should not run so unevenly – shows the rind is older than the cheese – could mean heat damage or too much inoculation. The rind should not taste acrid and peppery (it does not – but it often does if the rind shows too much age) Chaource Bourguignon is creamy, tongue coating with a slightly granular texture and has a tang on the finish. Almost a slight bitterness and it’s slightly acidic. There is a lingering taste of mushrooms from the rind. I've recently bought this cheese as "Bourguignon" from Chantal Plasse with not mention of Chaource on the label.
#3 Tomme Crayeuse, France, cow’s milk
Made in the Auvergne region. This cheese only just started coming into the US. (Also spelled: Tome Crayeuse)
Cellar aromas – wet stone. More elastic near the rind. When you touch it, it leaves butterfat on your fingers. Butter and milk on nose. Tomme Crayeuse has more acidity near the center. The flavor is creamy mild and buttery and smooth. It has depth and complexity. It’s saltier near the rind. The finish is like melted butter – buttery and smooth.
#4 Tomme de Savoie, France, Cow’s Milk
A cousin of Tomme Crayeuse. An uncooked, unpressed cheese. When the cheese is very ripe it has a strong flavor.
The Tomme de Savoie we tasted was very ripe. Nose of wet bark and slightly acidic. Complex aromas suggest a strong character. First taste it is buttery with a slight bite of bitterness which means it’s very close to being too ripe. The complexity of taste includes a meaty nature with dark wet dirty elements as well as aged hay. The rind flavors permeate the cheese. Sometimes when Tomme de Savoie is made in the Spring it will have an oniony flavor from the mix of alliums the cows ingest in their pasture. The one we sampled was made in October.
#5 Serra da Estrela, Portugal, sheep’s milk
Made in one of the coldest and highest Portuguese regions. It is made from raw sheep’s milk and is a DOP. It is traditionally cloth bound wrapped. The coagulant used is from the cardoon thistle – and it gives the cheese a great character. Traditionally it is cut open from the top and scooped out with bread but it can also be enjoyed aged. As it ages it will get harder not more runny. It is runny when young. It’s best when it is soft and young.
Serra da Estrela has a pungent, powerful, assertive nose – stable yard aromas. It has a hint of sweetness but also acrid notes. The ever-present animal. Creaminess like fresh cream or milk. Rich but not buttery with a slightly artichoke-like flavor on the finish.
