Types of cheese

What is Cheese?

Cheese: -

Cheese is another type of dairy products which is very favorable item by numerous people. Cheese can be made by coagulating the milk. When we separate the curd (which is solid in the texture) from the whey (which is the liquid of the curd) by processing the curd in various ways then the thick substance that we get from that coagulating is to be known as cheese. There are numerous types of cheese available to us which is varies in their texture, taste and presence. The type of cheese produced is depends on the various different factors of the milk like milk source, bacteria, mold used, aging process, texture and the moisture content of the milk. 

Cheese is generally grouped into several major categories each of this has distinct characteristics. The various Categories of the cheese is described below: -

Types of Cheese: -

1. Fresh Cheese: -

Fresh cheese is also known as Un ripened cheese. From all the types of cheese fresh cheese is the simplest and least processed cheese. These types of Cheese are not aged and have a very high moisture content which gives them a soft, creamy and often spreadable texture. These cheeses are typically white in color with a mild and milky flavor that can be slightly tangy depending on the culture used in this cheese. This cheese is perishable because they are usually consumed soon after production. These cheeses are commonly used in cooking or as a base for spreads and dips.

Example: - Ricotta, cream cheese, cottage cheese, queso fresco and fresh mozzarella. 

2. Soft-ripened cheese: -

Soft-ripened cheese is also known as bloomy-rind cheese. Soft-ripened cheese is aged for a short time and develop a white, edible rind cheese that are formed by mold which is usually known as Penicillium Candida. This cheese ripens from the inside and from outside it starts becoming creamier and sometimes runny near the rind while remaining firmer at the Semi- These types of cheese have a different mushroom aroma and can have a rich buttery flavor. These cheeses are mostly be eaten at the room temperature to fully appreciate their soft textures and complex flavors.

Example: - Brie, Camembert and Coulommiers.

3. Semi- Soft Cheese: - 

This type of cheese is little bit soft in the texture that's why it is known as Semi-Soft Cheese. Semi soft cheese has a smooth and elastic texture and can retain excess of moisture than hard cheese. This moisture makes the cheese ideal for melting it at room temperature. Havarti is a type of Danish cheese which is very buttery in its texture and can have a small hole which is very great for making sandwiches or in grilling. Munster is another type of cheese which is actually an American cheese. This American Cheese is known as French Munster which have an orange rind and a smooth and cream inside that cheese. This type of cheese has a very mild flavor when this cheese is young which means freshly made cheese, but that mild flavor becomes very pungent with age which means many days has gone for making the cheese. 

Example: - Havarti, Munster, Port Salut, Provolone etc.

4. Semi-Hard Cheese: -

Semi-Hard Cheese is another type of cheese. Semi-Hard Cheese is an aged version of soft cheese. This type of cheese has a firmer texture and have a very deeper profile. This type of cheese is one of the most popular cheeses worldwide.  This cheese originates from England and this cheese becomes sharper and crumblier as it gets ages. 

Example: - Cheddar, Gouda, Edam etc.

5. Hard Cheese: -

As it clears from its name that hard cheese has very hard texture. Hard cheeses are aged for extended period. This type of cheese has very low moisture content, firm and crumbly texture. These types of cheese are very intense and have concentrated flavors. This type of cheese is an Italian hard cheese that aged for over a year which have a rich, nutty and umami packed flavors. 

Example: - Parmesan, Pecorino Romano, Grana Padano, Manchego etc.

6. Blue Cheese: -

Blue cheese is basically not that type of cheese which are blue in color, but the blue cheese is a type of cheese that are made by introducing Penicillium mold. Blue cheese creates a blue or green veins in the cheese and these veins gives the cheese a distinctive sharp, salty flavor and pungent aroma. This blue cheese is basically made from the sheep's milk which is creamy, tangy and aged in limestones caves. 

Example: - Penicillium mold, Roquefort, Gorgonzola, Stilton etc.