Cheese of the week: Blue Marble Jack

Name: Blue Marble Jack

Brand: Nasonville Dairy

Place of Purchase: Wheatsfield Organic Co-op in Ames, Iowa

Country/Region of Origin: Marshfield,WI

Price in Iowa: $6.80/lb.

Milk: cow

Processing: A Wisconsin jack cheese with a fine bleu marbling.

Texture: semi firm

Color: Bone-white with bleu veins

Rind: none

Aroma: Mild dairy and plenty of Bleu

Taste: Tangy bleu notes and a hint of sage.

Mouth feel: Firm with the tang of the bleu.
 
Notes: The flavor is a bit strong for a snacking cheese, but I took my leftovers and melted it over a burger.


Holy mole!  I think I'm in Heaven.

http://www.nasonvilledairy.com/onlineshopping/proddetail.asp?prod=111716

Cheese of the week: Young Gouda

Name: Frisian Farms Young Gouda

Brand: Frisian Farms

Place of Purchase: Wheatsfield Organic Co-op in Ames, Iowa

Country/Region of Origin: Oskaloosa, Iowa

Price in Iowa: $16.67/pound

Milk: pasteurized cow

Processing: small batch Gouda in the Dutch tradition, aged 2 to 4 months

Texture: semi-firm

Color: straw yellow

Rind: natural

Aroma: clean dairy

Taste: warm and creamy with rich dairy tones

Mouth feel: firm and unyielding
 
Notes: I bought this local cheese because I love Iowa farmers.  I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Frisian Farms is a small dairy specializing in a few hand-made, artisan Gouda cheeses.  The Bandstra family uses a small batch process, organic milk from their own herd, and produce only a few types of Gouda.  It's close enough that I'm thinking about taking a tour next week.

http://www.frisianfarms.com/frisian-farmstead-young-gouda_p_1701_13835_1.cfm#

Cheese of the week: Capriko

Name: Capriko

Brand: Nordic Creamery

Place of Purchase: Wheatsfield Organic Co-op in Ames, Iowa

Country/Region of Origin: Westby, WI

Price in Iowa: $13.30/lb.

Milk: cow and goat

Processing: Blend of cow and goat milks to create this handcrafted, unique cheese

Texture: semi-firm

Color: Straw yellow

Rind: Natural

Aroma: Mild dairy; sharp, nutty notes;  spicy undertones

Taste: Sharp dairy, nutty

Mouth feel: firm and spongy
 
Notes: This cheese is a creamy sharp cheddar with nutty/spicy undertones.  I think I need more than the small block that I bought to enjoy this cheese, but the flavors linger long after I've finished.

Neat cheese.      

"Cheese" of the week: Duo Salmon-Cheese Torte

Name: Duo Salmon-Cheese Torte

Brand: Beyerland

Place of Purchase: European Flavors in Des Moines, Iowa

Country/Region of Origin: North Holland, Nederlands

Price in Iowa: $12.99 for a 12 oz. wedge

Milk: cow

Processing: Layers of rich cream cheese and salmon mousse

Texture: soft

Color: Alternating white and salmon

Rind: none

Aroma: clean dairy

Taste: Creamy, salty, smoky, delicious

Mouth feel: war and creamy
 
Notes: I had run out of cheeses in Ames.  So, instead of heading up to Wisconsin with a cooler, I looked south to Des Moines.  I found a European market run by a nice fellow from Belarus.  So, look for new Eastern European cheeses and fruits!

 This stuff is pretty simple, but very well done.  The salmon is the star, but it shares the stage with the luxurious cream cheese.  Very good stuff.