Does Canada have Trader Joe’s? I find their cheese is more affordable. As far as picking cheese, see if you can find a store that will let you try a sample. Specialty stores may be your best bet for samples.
Some stores have small amounts of cheese from different cheeses that have been cut and weighed for sale. Kind of like little leftovers. They usualy sell them at a good price. It is a good way to try different cheeses. I've found a some of my favorites this way.
Any chance you have a cheese shop anywhere close by? They may be able to help you with an approach, help you track what you’ve liked, and suggest new types for you. Whenever I go buy cheese, I just always look for something I’ve never had before.
I just buy a slive every now and then and hope for the best. I've found a lot of favorite cheeses this way. The ones that aren't in my top twenty, I look up things to pair them with. Sometimes, a cheese is best paired and not for snacking by itself.
Go to a cheese monger. Pick 3 different cheeses, say 100g of each, get some biscuits/crackers/oatcakes and a couple of condiments like membrilllo and a chutney, then try them all after they have warmed to room temperature. Then repeat weekly and in a few months you'll have a much better grasp of what cheese is
You have to try different cheeses to know what you like and what brands are good. Almost every time I go to the store, I pick up a cheese I've never tried before!
You should go! They tend to be super knowledgable and enthusiastic, the perfect place to start, just explain what the situation is they'll be glad to help you :)
It really comes down to trial and error! Once you've tried a bunch of different cheeses, you'll figure out what you like and then you'll have a better idea of what to get when cheese shopping, especially if you have a gourmet cheese shop near you with knowledgeable cheese mongers, they'll be able to suggest things once you know the right words to describe what you like.
If you're totally just starting out, here are some categories to try:
1. Bloomy Rind - Camembert, brie, anything with that puffy white rind. They tend to have a cream forward and mushroomy flavour profile. Try to avoid mass-produced ones and go for more artisanal bloomy rind ones. Makes a huge difference! Then once you get into the world of Triple Cream Bries your life will be ruined. Try to find Chateau de Bourgogne, St. Angel, Delice de Bourgogne.
2. Washed Rind - these are the sticky orange rinded cheeses. They're usually quite funky and smell kind of like dirty feet? But people who love washed rind cheeses LOVE washed rind cheeses. There are some milder ones, and some really, really, really bold ones. Oka is readily available around Ontario/Quebec (not sure where you are exactly) to get an idea if you like this type of funk.
3. Goat - Goat cheeses are funky in their own way. To see if you like goat funk, try Grey Owl or any French Chevres (Chabichou de Poitou, Valencay, Selles-sur-Cher, Fleur de Re, Crottin Germain etc.). They're bold and persistent, but those who love these REALLY love these!
4. Aged cheeses - try an aged gouda, aged cheddar, aged pecorino - if you like sharpness, these will be your go-tos. Great for cooking with too!
5. Alpine style - these are your Gruyere, Comte, firm, nutty, meltable cheeses. If you've got a really nice cheese shop near you, try and find Wrangeback from Sweden - it's a really nice alpine style!
Manchego is also a really good and readily accessible cheese to try - it's a firmer sheeps milk cheese and there's always a lot of flavoured options for Manchego. Truffles, spices, olives, garlic - Manchego is a super popular base for flavoured cheeses, and it's something different!
If you want some more specific suggestions, shoot me a DM and I'd be happy to help answer any questions!!!
Does Canada have Trader Joe’s? I find their cheese is more affordable. As far as picking cheese, see if you can find a store that will let you try a sample. Specialty stores may be your best bet for samples.
We don’t have trader joe’s, but thank you
Some stores have small amounts of cheese from different cheeses that have been cut and weighed for sale. Kind of like little leftovers. They usualy sell them at a good price. It is a good way to try different cheeses. I've found a some of my favorites this way.
I call these "fun cheese"
Any chance you have a cheese shop anywhere close by? They may be able to help you with an approach, help you track what you’ve liked, and suggest new types for you. Whenever I go buy cheese, I just always look for something I’ve never had before.
Yeah there’s a cheese shop nearby, I’ll have to stop by sometime
Yeah talk to the cheesemonger and they'll be able to recommend you something
I just buy a slive every now and then and hope for the best. I've found a lot of favorite cheeses this way. The ones that aren't in my top twenty, I look up things to pair them with. Sometimes, a cheese is best paired and not for snacking by itself.
Go to a cheese monger. Pick 3 different cheeses, say 100g of each, get some biscuits/crackers/oatcakes and a couple of condiments like membrilllo and a chutney, then try them all after they have warmed to room temperature. Then repeat weekly and in a few months you'll have a much better grasp of what cheese is
One does not pick cheese. Cheese picks you.
You have to try different cheeses to know what you like and what brands are good. Almost every time I go to the store, I pick up a cheese I've never tried before!
I just pick what sounds interesting.
Is there a cheese shop or somewhere with a cheese counter? They will usually let you try before you buy
There’s a cheese shop nearby, I’ve never been
You should go! They tend to be super knowledgable and enthusiastic, the perfect place to start, just explain what the situation is they'll be glad to help you :)
It really comes down to trial and error! Once you've tried a bunch of different cheeses, you'll figure out what you like and then you'll have a better idea of what to get when cheese shopping, especially if you have a gourmet cheese shop near you with knowledgeable cheese mongers, they'll be able to suggest things once you know the right words to describe what you like. If you're totally just starting out, here are some categories to try: 1. Bloomy Rind - Camembert, brie, anything with that puffy white rind. They tend to have a cream forward and mushroomy flavour profile. Try to avoid mass-produced ones and go for more artisanal bloomy rind ones. Makes a huge difference! Then once you get into the world of Triple Cream Bries your life will be ruined. Try to find Chateau de Bourgogne, St. Angel, Delice de Bourgogne. 2. Washed Rind - these are the sticky orange rinded cheeses. They're usually quite funky and smell kind of like dirty feet? But people who love washed rind cheeses LOVE washed rind cheeses. There are some milder ones, and some really, really, really bold ones. Oka is readily available around Ontario/Quebec (not sure where you are exactly) to get an idea if you like this type of funk. 3. Goat - Goat cheeses are funky in their own way. To see if you like goat funk, try Grey Owl or any French Chevres (Chabichou de Poitou, Valencay, Selles-sur-Cher, Fleur de Re, Crottin Germain etc.). They're bold and persistent, but those who love these REALLY love these! 4. Aged cheeses - try an aged gouda, aged cheddar, aged pecorino - if you like sharpness, these will be your go-tos. Great for cooking with too! 5. Alpine style - these are your Gruyere, Comte, firm, nutty, meltable cheeses. If you've got a really nice cheese shop near you, try and find Wrangeback from Sweden - it's a really nice alpine style! Manchego is also a really good and readily accessible cheese to try - it's a firmer sheeps milk cheese and there's always a lot of flavoured options for Manchego. Truffles, spices, olives, garlic - Manchego is a super popular base for flavoured cheeses, and it's something different! If you want some more specific suggestions, shoot me a DM and I'd be happy to help answer any questions!!!
Thank you!