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Provolone Cheese: Everything You Need to Know
We love to help you try new cheeses here at Shisler’s Cheese House, so today we are helping you to learn everything that you need to know about Provolone Cheese. You might have tried it before, so why not read on to find out all about it?
What is Provolone Cheese?
Provolone Cheese, like mozzarella, is a pulled or stretched curd cheese with two varieties. Dolce (mild Provolone) is aged for just two to three months. It is a semi-soft, mild, smooth table cheese. Piccante is aged for six to twelve months and has a much stronger flavor.
The term Provolone (meaning large provola) appeared around the end of the 19th century when it started to be manufactured in the southern regions of Italy. Modern Provolone has smooth skin and is produced mainly in the regions of Lombardia and Veneto. It is produced in different shapes. Some are like a very large sausage which may be up to 30 cm (1 ft) in diameter and 90 cm (3 ft) long, whilst others come in a truncated bottle shape or a large pear shape which has a characteristic round knob for hanging.
How is Provolone Cheese made?
Provolone cheese can be made with buffalo or cow’s milk, or a mixture of the two. Once the curds and whey have been separated, the curd is kneaded and stretched while still hot. The cheese is bathed in brine before a wax or plastic rind is added to the outside. It is tied up with rope and hung in the aging cellar.
How should I eat Provolone Cheese?
This is a rather versatile cheese. It can be used in cooking, grated to sprinkle over salads, and even incorporated into desserts. It melts very well, so try it in grilled sandwiches, baked pasta dishes or casseroles. You can also enjoy it on pizza, either as a substitute for mozzarella or as a flavorful addition. Add it to savory pies or melt it on top of chicken for an easy but tasty midweek dinner.
If you are serving Provolone as part of a cheeseboard, we highly recommend adding spicy, salty condiments to enjoy it with. Olives, roasted red peppers, chargrilled artichokes, and spicy chili jams or chutneys all work well with the mild flavor of the cheese and will work to give you a taste of Italy.
For an unexpected dessert, served grilled or roasted pears with shredded provolone cheese and a sweet balsamic glaze.
We also stock a Smoked Provolone, which is ideal in Italian sandwiches and pairs well with tart fruits such as apples or grapes.
What should I drink with Provolone Cheese?
A firm cheese like Provolone goes well with a dry rosé wine or a fruity red. Try a Sangiovese or a light Beaujolais. If you prefer white wine, Chardonnay would be a good choice as it will balance the mild saltiness of the cheese. For moments when a beer is more to your taste, a pale ale will go nicely with the cheese without overpowering it.
Buy Provolone @ $ 5.49 per Lb : Click Here
How do you like to eat Provolone Cheese? Let us know in the comments!
Try a New Tea In Our New Mug
To celebrate the release of our new mug, we wanted to give you a list of tea to try that you might enjoy drinking from it!
Black teas
When you think of tea, you are probably thinking of a cup of English Breakfast. This is a black tea, which means that the leaves have been oxidised resulting in a dark color and a stronger flavor.
Did you know that black, green and white tea all come from the same plant, the Camellia sinensis? How the leaves are treated creates the different colors and flavors of the tea. There are also some variations based on the climate and soil in which the tea is grown.
Black teas include Assam, the most widely produced variety, Darjeeling, and Ceylon. Darjeeling has a very mild, fruity flavor and is grown in India. Ceylon, grown in Sri Lanka, is also light and will vary in flavor depending on the altitude at which it is grown.
Some black teas, such as chai and Earl Grey, have flavors added to them. Chai includes spices such as cardamom and cinnamon, whilst Earl Grey has bergamot oil which imparts a citrus taste.
Green teas
These leaves do not undergo the same drying and oxidization as black tea, leaving them fresh and green. It is sometimes slightly bitter in flavor.
To brew excellent green tea, the water should be left to come off the boil to avoid scalding the leaves. Sencha has the whole leaves, whilst matcha has been powered to produce a different effect. Again, some green teas have flavors added to them.
White teas
The lightest of the drinks from the Camellia sinensis, white tea features young, minimally processed leaves. They are often simply left to wilt in the sun and are not rolled or oxidized. The resulting drink is extremely light and delicate, with a natural sweetness.
Herbal teas
There are now herbal drinks in every flavor you can think of. Some have health benefits from their active ingredients, whilst others will simply offer a fruity alternative to your usual drink. These are particularly good options if you are trying to cut down on your caffeine intake, as many of them will be naturally caffeine free.
Hot chocolate
Of course, some of you might not be tea lovers. For you, we recommend checking out our top tips for making a great hot chocolate. Whether it’s choosing great toppings or adding a little extra flavor, we’ve got all the ideas you need to make a cozy evening at home even better.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our quick foray into different types of tea. Rest assured, if coffee is more your thing then that’s great too! We even stock the delicious REACH coffee right here in the store. Our mug is designed to show your pride in shopping here at Shisler’s Cheese House and even comes with some Heggy’s Chocolates for you to enjoy as you sip on your latest teas.
What’s your favorite tea? Let us know in the comments!
Lucerne Cheese: Everything You Need to Know
We continue our exploration of cheese from around the world with a look at Lucerne cheese today.
What is Lucerne Cheese?
Lucerne Cheese is another of our local selections, made in Charm, Ohio by the original producer Guggisberg Cheese. The Guggisberg Cheese Company was started in 1967 just outside of Charm, Ohio by cheese connoisseur Alfred Guggisberg, an alumnus of the famous Swiss Federal “Molkereishulle” (Cheese Maker’s Institute).
Lucerne Cheese is a young, semi-soft cheese with small holes, somewhat similar to Baby Swiss. It has a very mild flavor that is both light and smooth. It’s also lower in fat and sodium than Swiss cheese, making it a delicious favorite for those counting calories or watching their sodium intake.
Do you offer other local cheeses?
Yes! We stock a huge range of local cheeses including Swiss, Baby Swiss, Sharp Swiss, Amish Butter Cheese, Yogurt Cheese, and several variations of each. We’re really proud to stock such a great range of cheeses from right here in Ohio. Please pop into the store if would ever like to try any of them; we’re happy to help!
How is Lucerne Cheese made?
Lucerne cheese is made in the same manner as many other kinds of cheese, by separating the curds and whey. Natural bacteria consume the lactic acid in the cheese, producing small holes. The aging process breaks down the milk sugar, reducing the carbohydrates in the cheese as well as the lactose content.
How should I eat Lucerne Cheese?
This cheese melts well, so you could enjoy a slice of it on a burger or in a healthier grilled cheese. Our favorite way to eat it is grated over soups and salads. It adds flavor and texture without adding too much fat to your meal. It’s also mild enough that it won’t overpower your dish.
If you are serving it as part of a cheeseboard, try to include fruits such as pears, apples, and grapes. The sweetness of these fruits is excellent against the mild cheese. Cut the Lucerne into thin slices that your guests can enjoy or even cubes to accompany fruit on skewers. It’s a great snacking cheese for those moments in the afternoon when you need a quick savory pick-me-up.
What should I drink with Lucerne Cheese?
This cheese pairs very well with a wide selection of different wines. The most popular red wine pairings are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, but Beaujolais and Pinot Noir are also great matches. If you prefer white wine, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc would all be good choices. If you are a beer lover, then Lucerne Cheese goes well with Lager, Pale Ale, and Weiss Beer.
How do you like to eat Lucerne Cheese? Let us know in the comments!
How to Store Cheese Properly
Of course, we love cheese here at Shisler’s Cheese House! But that doesn’t stop with helping you to pick the right cheese for your recipe or cheeseboard. Today, we’re going to help you learn how to store cheese properly so that it lasts as long as possible and keeps its flavor.
How to Store Cheese: Temperature
You want to store your cheese at a cold, stable temperature. Some refrigerators have a designated cheese drawer, so if you have one of these then definitely take advantage of it. Otherwise, the vegetable crisper is a good place to keep cheese as it won’t be so affected by the changing temperatures in the rest of the fridge.
You could also use a large plastic container to store your cheese all together. Again, this creates a stable temperature.
How to Store Cheese: Wrapping
Unfortunately, keeping cheese in plastic wrapping can make it go off quickly. The plastic can also impart a taste to the cheese in as little time as one day! You do need to wrap it in something, however, to avoid odors from the fridge affecting the taste of the cheese and the cheese odors from affecting other foods.
If you have purchased cheese that is wrapped in plastic, unwrap it first. The best thing that you can wrap cheese in is a waxed paper or baking parchment. Wrap the cheese tightly and secure with tape if you need to. Even better, buy from a cheese shop that does this for you so that you know your cheese hasn’t been kept in plastic for a long time!
For fresh cheeses that might come in water, such as mozzarella or feta, we recommend keeping them in their original packaging. However, you might want to change their water periodically to keep them super fresh.
How to Store Cheese: Labelling
It’s good practice to label your cheese with its name and the date that you purchased it. This helps you to keep track of any cheese that needs using up, helps you to find them easily without unwrapping every cheese, and avoids any confusion between similar cheeses.
How to Store Cheese: Other Tips
- Try not to buy too much cheese at once. This will help prevent you from needing to store too much cheese and help you to avoid food waste.
- Check out our other blog posts for hundreds of ideas to use up pieces of cheese that you have left over.
- Did you know that you can freeze cheese? It’s true! Hard, aged cheeses will freeze best. They need to be fully sealed in airtight bags or containers to keep them at their best. Some cheeses will go through a change in texture after defrosting, so this is best for cheese that you might cook with, rather than blocks for your cheeseboard. You can also grate cheese before freezing it. Label everything and use it within three months.
We hope that these tips have helped you to learn how to store cheese properly. Now you can enjoy your cheese at its best!
Happy New Year!
We wanted to wish all of our customers, both near and far, a very Happy New Year!
We hope that 2019 will bring you everything that you are hoping for. If you’re setting New Years’ resolutions then we wish you well with them. If they are to try new things or taste new flavors then pop in and let us help you out!
Whether you’re getting straight back into work or taking some well-earned rest, we wish you a very happy start to the year.
Thank you to all of the wonderful customers who have supported us in 2018, we look forward to helping you in 2019!
Merry Christmas from Shisler’s Cheese House
We wanted to wish all of our customers, both near and far, a very Merry Christmas!
To celebrate the season we wanted to share some fun Christmas facts with you.
Scientists have calculated that Santa would have to visit 822 homes a second to deliver all the world’s presents on Christmas Eve, traveling at 650 miles a second. We hope that your Christmas is a little more relaxing and that whether you’re staying at home or traveling to see loved ones, you can take the holidays at a slightly slower pace.
According to the Guinness World Records, the tallest Christmas tree ever cut was a 221-foot Douglas fir. It was displayed in 1950 at the Northgate Shopping Center in Seattle, Washington. We’re not sure just how many presents you would need to make that tree look full of holiday cheer!
The first Christmas celebrated on American land was in 1539 in Tallahassee, Florida. It consisted of a religious mass, with no presents or feasting. However, there was a time when Christmas was outlawed. Christmas was not proclaimed a holiday by the United States Congress until 1870 and Oklahoma was the last state to declare it a legal holiday in 1907.
Americans purchase 1.6 billion Christmas cards every year. Hopefully, this helps put your Christmas card writing into perspective. For some, it might be a boring task, but at least you don’t have to write all 1.6 billion of them!
However you are celebrating, we hope that it is a wonderful day for you all.
Happy Christmas everyone!
Last Minute Christmas Gifts: Ideas to Save the Day!
We know that it’s a busy time of year for all of you, so we have put together a list of last minute Christmas gifts that could help you save time and get everything under the tree before the big day!
Last Minute Christmas Gifts: Gift Certificates
This is the perfect gift for someone you are struggling to buy for. Our gift certificates are valid for one year and can be used all at once or in multiple transactions. They can spend it on their favorite cheeses and treats. You’ll be provided with a code immediately after checkout, so this is a great last minute Christmas gift if you’ve left it until Christmas Eve! You could even email the code over if it is for someone that you won’t actually be seeing over the holidays.
There are also lots of other websites that provide gift certificates via email should you need something quick and easy to give. Choose different stores for different members of your family and no-one needs to know that it was a rush to buy them!
Last Minute Christmas Gifts: Hampers
We have an incredible selection of gift boxes and have added some extra special new ones this year so that you can really show your love and appreciation during the holidays. Treat someone really special to the Deluxe Gift Box, which includes cheeses, chocolates, snacks, and even a Shisler’s Cheese House t-shirt!
For wine lovers, take home our Red Wine or White Wine Collection. These specially selected boxes of cheese have been chosen to complement the flavors of the wine. They will make for a fun addition to any holiday parties and will certainly make any cheese-loving friends happy too.
We can even help you to put together a hamper of specially chosen gifts if you have more time and want to select items that you know your friends and family will love. You could even pick up some treats from us and combine them with other gift items such as cosmetics to create a unique gift.
Last Minute Christmas Gifts: Chocolate!
You really cannot go wrong with the gift of chocolate over the holidays. Whether it’s Heggy’s Milk Chocolate Turtles for the kids or Brazilian Chocolate Truffles for the grown-ups, you’ll find something for everyone on your list. We like to keep a few boxes of chocolates on hand for those unexpected guests so that you’re never caught without a gift to reciprocate with.
Unless you are buying a gift certificate, you will need to pop into our store in person to secure these last minute gifts. We’ll be happy to help you pick out everything that you need and you’ll be able to complete your Christmas shopping in no time.
We hope that this list has helped you to approach those last minute Christmas gifts without any stress. Pop in to see us at Shisler’s Cheese House today and find everything you need.
Have you done all of your Christmas shopping? Let us know in the comments!
Serving Wine: Our Top Tips
With the festive season upon us and many parties ahead, we wanted to share some of our tips for serving wine. Read on to make your soirees go smoothly without any hiccups!
Serving Wine: How to Choose Your Glassware
In general, a red wine will be served from a larger glass than white wine as this gives it room to breathe and allows you to fully experience the scent and flavor. Some people will choose to use crystal glassware. This is because crystal is much stronger than glass and can, therefore, be spun into thinner glassware, which makes for a better drinking experience.
You will usually serve sparkling wine from a tulip-shaped glass or flute. If you want to really enjoy the taste and aroma then a tulip glass or a narrow-mouthed white wine glass will give excellent fizz. For dessert wines or fortified wines such as Port, you can prevent the evaporation of the high alcohol wines by drinking them from a small glass with a narrow mouth.
Serving Wine: How to Choose the Best Temperature
As a general rule, lighter wines should be served at a cooler temperature as this brings out acidity and freshness. Higher temperatures unlock the aroma of the wine and can reduce any bitterness.
How to Open a Bottle of Wine
Use a knife to remove the foil around the bottle. Place the corkscrew in the centre of the cork and twist it into it. Corkscrews usually have a ‘step’ in them. Use the first step to pull the cork halfway out, then move to the second step to pull it fully out of the bottle. If you are using a corkscrew with arms then simply push the arms inwards to lift the cork out and then pull it out the rest of the way. Use a smooth motion and be careful not to bend the cork as it may snap!
To open a sparkling wine, remove the foil and take off the wire cage around the cork. To do this, pull out the wire circle and then twist it to loosen the cage before lifting it off the bottle. Put a towel over the top of the bottle in case the cork is pushed out by the pressure. Grip the cork and turn the bottle, rather than turning the cork itself. You should hold the bottle at a 45 degree angle to allow air in. The cork will loosen and start to ease out of the bottle, eventually popping.
Of course, if your bottle has a screw top then you simply open your wine and pour!
We hope that these tips will help you to serve wine without any stress so that you can simply enjoy having fun with your family and friends.
Christmas Wines: How to Choose a Great Selection
With Christmas fast approaching, we have put together a great selection of Christmas wines for you to serve over the festive period.
Christmas wines with turkey
If you’re serving a traditional turkey and all the trimmings this year, then you’ll want a wine that complements each of the flavors without being overpowering. Luckily, turkey is versatile enough that you can serve a variety of wines with it depending on your personal tastes. A full-bodied, oaky white wine such as a Chardonnay or a White Burgundy can be a good choice. For red wine, a Beaujolais or a Pinot Noir is a great choice. You’re looking for something that doesn’t have too much tannin, but that has a little acidity to cut through the richness of the meal.
Christmas wines with dessert
Whatever you choose to eat for dessert over the holidays, you’ll need a wine that can stand up to sweetness in abundance. Try a Muscat for lighter, fruity desserts or a Sauternes for richer flavors including chocolate. A port is a great after-dinner wine and excellent if you are serving a cheeseboard instead of a sweet dessert.
Sparkling Christmas wines
For some, it really isn’t Christmas until you’ve heard the pop of a cork and the sparkle of fizz in your glass. Whilst champagne might be the first option that comes to mind, there are lots of wines to explore if you are looking for some fizz for your Christmas table. If you want to splash out, then you could go ahead and pick up a French champagne, but you can also find fantastic Blanc de Blancs made right here in the United States. If you prefer something a little sweeter, try Prosecco, which has the added benefit of being more budget friendly.
Serving at the right temperature
One of the best ways to ensure that all of your wine pairings work well is to make sure that you serve the wines at the correct temperature. Light red wines such as those above should be served at room temperature, whilst a full-bodied white wine only needs chilling for 1 – 2 hours before serving. Sparkling wines can be served slightly cooler.
Remember that your Christmas table is a celebration of everything you love, so choose wines that you know that you will enjoy. If you can, ask to try them in store before you buy. There’s no need to splash out on something that you’re not sure about just because it’s Christmas if there is a wine that you always love to serve.
Which Christmas wines do you love? Let us know in the comments!
Havarti Cheese: Everything You Need to Know
Today we continue our profiles of cheeses with a look at a Danish treat: Havarti cheese.
What is Havarti Cheese?
Havarti Cheese or Cream Havarti (Fløde Havarti in Danish) is a semi-soft Danish cow’s milk cheese. It is rindless, with a smooth surface and a cream or yellow color depending on the type. It has very small and irregular eyes (holes).
It has a buttery aroma and a generally sweet taste with a slightly acidic tang. It can be sharp in the stronger varieties, resembling Swiss cheese.
We also stock Havarti with Dill and Havarti with Caraway for those looking for additional flavor. Dill combines the flavors of fennel, anise, and celery, with a slight bitterness, whilst caraway has a very pungent, earthy anise flavor.
How is Havarti Cheese made?
Havarti cheese was initially created by Hanne Nielsen who operated an experimental farm called Havarthigaard, in Øverød, north of Copenhagen, in the mid-19th century. It is made like most cheeses, by introducing rennet to milk to cause curdling. The curds are pressed into cheese molds which are drained, and then the cheese is aged. Havarti is a washed curd cheese, which contributes to the subtle flavor of the cheese.
It will usually be aged for around three months. As it ages it becomes saltier and nuttier.
How should I eat it?
Havarti is a table cheese that is suitable for slicing, grilling, or melting. When left at room temperature the cheese tends to soften quickly so it is great on a cheeseboard alongside hard cheeses.
It is delicious melted into pasta dishes including macaroni cheese or incorporated into a grilled cheese sandwich. Havarti even works well when grated onto a pizza with mozzarella. You can make an excellent cheese sauce with it that will pair well with grilled chicken and vegetables.
Because of its creaminess, it stands up well to spice. You can use it in recipes that call for chilies and it also pairs very well with the heat of horseradish. Try Havarti with Dill in cauliflower dishes for a fun combination of tastes.
If you are serving it as part of a cheeseboard, slice a few thin slices off the block to show your guests that this is a fantastic way to enjoy it. Serve it with fresh fruits and honey, as well as savory crackers and cured meats. Try our Streb Meats Fresh Smoked Sausage as a starting point.
What should I drink with this cheese?
The smooth, creamy flavor of Havarti goes well against most red wines. It can stand up to the high alcohol flavors of Zinfandel or Shiraz, but it is subtle enough to enjoy with a soft Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon. If you prefer white wine, try a Sauvignon Blanc or Riesling, as the fruity flavors of both will complement the butteriness of the cheese. You could even try it with a light weiss beer or saison.
We hope that you’ve enjoyed our exploration of Havarti cheese today. How do you like to enjoy it? Let us know in the comments!
