From simple comforting meals like cheese on toast to fine dining ones like grilled chicken with cheese, you can pair this beauty with almost anything. Even if you are not a die-hard fan of cheese you still know cheese is the king as it pairs up beautifully with every ingredient.
Cheese is incredibly popular worldwide, you’ll be surprised to know that around 22 pounds(10 kilograms) of cheese is consumed annually per person in the United States alone. There are thousands of different varieties of cheese available worldwide each with a distinctive taste, production method, and texture.
You might know only a few such as Camembert, Parmesan, Blue Cheese, Feta, Cheddar, Mozzarella, and Swiss but there are many more varying according to different regions. Let’s get on the cheese-tasting ride as we explore the cheese taste chart and analyze the famous cheese taste in the world.
25 Types of Cheese & Their Taste
Cheese are made up of milk still their making process is what gives them their distinct flavor. Different types of cheese fall under the category of hard cheese, semi-hard cheese, medium-hard cheese, blue mold cheese, mold cheese, fresh cheese, and goat’s cheese.
The various forms of cheese have different textures and flavors that give them the unique taste that we devour. Hard or semi-hard cheese usually has complex flavor notes due to which it’s used in soups and sauces.
Blue mold or white cheese is the fancy cheese with creamy and earthy flavors. These cheeses are the main attraction of a cheeseboard. You don’t need to feel bad if you know only two to three types of cheese as we’ll be listing down the 25 popular cheese in the world.
| Cheese Type | Taste |
|---|---|
| Cheddar | Sharp, tangy, nutty |
| Brie | Creamy, buttery, earthy |
| Gouda | Creamy, nutty, slightly sweet |
| Blue Cheese | Strong, pungent, tangy |
| Parmesan | Salty, savory, nutty |
| Mozzarella | Mild, milky, stretchy |
| Swiss | Sweet, nutty, slightly tangy |
| Camembert | Rich, mushroomy, slightly sweet |
| Feta | Tangy, salty, crumbly |
| Gruyère | Nutty, sweet, slightly salty |
| Roquefort | Intensely tangy, creamy |
| Havarti | Creamy, buttery, mild |
| Manchego | Nutty, buttery, slightly salty |
| Provolone | Mild, smoky, slightly tangy |
| Gorgonzola | Creamy, sharp, tangy |
| Edam | Mild, slightly nutty, semi-firm |
| Ricotta | Mild, creamy, slightly sweet |
| Asiago | Nutty, savory, slightly tangy |
| Cottage Cheese | Mild, fresh, slightly tangy |
| Taleggio | Soft, tangy, fruity |
| Emmental | Nutty, sweet, slightly fruity |
| Colby | Mild, creamy, slightly tangy |
| Pepper Jack | Spicy, creamy, slightly tangy |
| Limburger | Strong, pungent, tangy |
Fontina Cheese Taste
Fontina is a semi-soft cheese that can also have a hard texture with a pale yellow color and originates from Aosta Valley in Italy. The cheese has a mild to medium, nutty flavor with a rich and creamy texture that becomes more profound as it ages.
When Fontina is young, it has a mild and sweet flavor which becomes strong and complex as it ages.
Fontina pairs beautifully with hot dishes such as pizza and pasta as it melts easily.
You can also enjoy it with fruits or sauces. It should be stored in a refrigerator until you want to use it in your meals. You can take it out until it comes to room temperature and eat it to admire its rich flavor.
You can wrap it in plastic and freeze it for a few months. When you want to use the frozen cheese keep it in the refrigerator overnight so that it defrosts. Want to know a fun fact about Fontina cheese? Similar to Swiss, it can sometimes have holes that look like eyes, caused when the bacteria releases carbon dioxide as the cheese ages.
Gouda Cheese Taste
Gouda can have a variety of flavor notes depending on it age, Young goda aged for a few weeks has a sweet, fudgy, and mild flavor. As the gouda ages for months to years, it develops caramel notes with a bit of tang and nuttiness.
You’ll be surprised to know that there are infinite types of gouda including cumin-rubbed, bacon-filled, fenugreek and smoked gouda. You can try different varieties for a whole new magical experience. Gouda is a great table cheese perfect for everyday tasting and pairs well with orange or apricot jam.
You can also enjoy it with some crackers or just dip it in some mango chutney or mustard. Fresh fruits such as apples, pears, and peaches compliment the gouda cheese really well. If you are a chocolate lover then you can pair gouda cheese with a brownie or a chocolate.
Brie Cheese Taste
Brie is a creamy, soft, buttery cheese that originated from France and is now produced globally. It has a white mold with a soft and bloomy creamy interior with a strong earthy aroma. Brie is a perfect addition to a cheeseboard as it pairs well with fruits, crackers, nuts and baguette slices.
Brie is considered as the black dress of cheeses as it’s versatile and can be consumed by melting, spreading or slicing. It also bakes well hence can be used in pastry, casseroles, sauces, sandwiches, pizzas, paninis and flatbreads.
Brie cheese can also be frozen for three months, whenever you want to eat it rest the cheese at room temperature and you are good to go. Make sure the rind looks white, fresh and plump after you defrost the cheese so that it fit to eat.
Camembert Cheese Taste
Camembert cheese is soft, moist and gooey and originated from the Normandy region of France. It has a close resemblance to Brie as both have white rind, however, camembert has a stronger earthy flavor and a pungent aroma.
The smell of Camembert can easily entice you to take a bite or two to delve in to its rich and creamy flavo To enjoy the true flavor of Camembert, keep it at room temperature for half an hour and you are ready to enjoy its.
Camembert can be eaten on its own, you can also add it in your cuisines as it melts easily. You can use it in savory tarts or quiche, make grilled cheese sandwiches, pizza, roasted chicken breasts and mac and cheese.
Colby Jack Cheese Taste
Colby Jack cheese has a mild and slightly sweet taste with a hint of tanginess. The harmonious flavor profile makes it a popular cheese in the United States. The cheese is also famous as its appealing to a wide range of palates including those who prefer mild cheese flavor.
Colby Jack has a semi-soft and creamy texture making it easy to slice or shred and use in cooking. The cheese is commonly used to make burgers, quesadillas, pizza topping, sandwiches, macaroni and casseroles.
Monterey Jack, mozzarella and cheddar have similar flavor profiles to Colby. The procedure of making the cheese gives it the moisture and softer texture than cheddar. The reduced acidity gives it a mild, milky flavor and a beautiful orange color.
Best Tasting Cheese
If you are a cheese lover than you have never been ashamed to ask for extra cheese in your burgers, sandwiches or pizza. The extra cheese turns the food in to a high-calorie food, but the feel good effect is what drives this cheesy world around. From the best-known kind like the Parmigiano Reggiano to the pungent blue cheese you’ll find distinct flavor and texture.
Deciding which type of cheese to to add to the cheeseboard can be a serious issue as different people have different preferences. However, you don’t have to travel the world to learn about the best cheese to offer to your guest, have a look at the table below to find the best-tasting cheese.
| Cheese Type | Taste |
|---|---|
| Parmigiano Reggiano | Salty, savory, nutty |
| Brie | Creamy, buttery, earthy |
| Gouda | Creamy, nutty, slightly sweet |
| Gorgonzola | Creamy, sharp, tangy |
| Camembert | Rich, mushroomy, slightly sweet |
| Manchego | Nutty, buttery, slightly salty |
| Roquefort | Intensely tangy, creamy |
| Emmental | Nutty, sweet, slightly fruity |
| Mozzarella | Mild, milky, stretchy |
| Cheddar | Sharp, tangy, nutty |
Conclusion
Every individual has it’s unique preference when it comes to cheese, some love to have the yellow cheese which is the cheddar or Colby jack. Some prefer the texture over color hence they choose Brie or Parmigiano Reggiano.
Since, each cheese has it’s own unique taste so experiment with them, add them to your recipes to achieve the flavor you desire. You can count on the cheese taste charts above to help you in your taste journey.