12 joyful days. 12 exquisite cheeses. This is the magical event cheese lovers everywhere have been waiting for.
Originally posted on wholefoodsmarket.com
It’s the 12 Days of Cheese — the once-a-year chance for huge savings on 12 expertly sourced cheeses to enrich your epic holiday gatherings. From buttery smooth to aged and nutty, it’s all here.
Here’s a tip for even better cheese: Unwrap your cheese about an hour before serving to bring out flavors and aromatics.
1. Cypress Grove Humboldt Fog
Behold the artisan cheese that led the way for soft-ripened goat cheese in America. Savor the buttermilk and fresh cream, complemented with floral notes, herbaceous overtones and a clean citrus finish. Its flavor intensifies as it matures — a cheese dream come true.
Pair It With
- Cracker: Lesley Stowe Raincoast Crisps Rosemary Raisin Pecan
- Accoutrement: Savannah Bee Co. Whipped Honey
- Charcuterie: Whole Foods Market Organic Sliced Genoa Salami
- Wine: Lubanzi Chenin Blanc (750 ML)
- Beer: Clausthaler Non-Alcoholic Santa Ale (6 pk)
4. Jasper Hill Farm Cabot Clothbound Cheddar
It’s no wonder this collaboration between two Vermont icons has now lasted over two decades. Cabot Creamery sends wheels of young cheddar to Jasper Hill Farm in Greensboro, where they are wrapped in cloth and ripened in underground cellars. The resulting natural-rind bandaged cheddar is approachable yet complex, with a crumbly texture and nutty aroma.
Pair It With
- Cracker: Rosemary Raisin Pecan Raincoast Crisps
- Accoutrement: Savannah Bee Company Whipped Honey
- Charcuterie: Whole Foods Market Organic Sliced Prosciutto
- Wine: Prisma Rosé
- Beer: Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale
5. Uplands Cheese Pleasant Ridge Reserve
Much like the most coveted types of Gruyère, Uplands Cheese Pleasant Ridge Reserve is made only in the summer months when their cows graze on fresh Wisconsin grass. The sweet grass-fed milk perfectly complements the alpine-style cheese’s natural washed rind for a rich and salty body and a long, fruity finish.
Pair It With
- Cracker: Rosemary Raisin Pecan Raincoast Crisps
- Accoutrement: Divina Caramelized Onion Jam
- Charcuterie: Whole Foods Market Organic Genoa Sliced Salami
- Wine: Prisma Rosé
- Beer: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale