Cheese of the Week: Howe Cavern's Cave-Aged Cheese

Name: Howe Cavern Cave-Aged Cheese

Brand: Howe Caverns &

 

Place of Purchase:  Howe Caverns, NY & Fly Creek, NY

Country of Origin: USA

Price in New York: $15/lb

Milk: Cow

Processing: White cheddar process with cave aging

Texture: Semi-firm, and crumbly

Color: pale-yellow

Rind: Natural waxed (with a nice red wax)

Aroma:wood, musky, like mushrooms

Taste: There is are sharp, cheddar notes in in the front, with airy, fungal/woody notes in the back.

Mouth feel: A nice crumbly cheddar.

Notes: At the end of the day, Howe Caverns Cheese is a gimmick; no different than fresh fudge and screen-printed t-shirts.  However, Howe Caverns Cheese is made from fine, hormone-free, organic, local milk.  It begins as a fine, local, young cheddar and spends some time in the natural caves.  This draws some of the moisture out of the cheese, creating a more crumbly paste than I would expect from a cheddar.  It also adds a number of unique, cave flavors that do not come from an added culture.  A simply and gimmicky as it may be, this cave-aged cheddar is something unique to try after a boat trip through the caves.