A few weeks ago I started to tell you about our slightly random poll of our favourite Canadian cheeses. We had quite a few cheeses that got one vote. We covered those eight in March. They are all well made cheeses, and I hear them being recommended a lot in the store. I’d be happy to have a nice piece of any one of them in my fridge at any time.
This week, we’re going to continue the countdown. These next seven cheeses all received two votes. There are some here that are newer to us, and some long time winners, but I wasn’t surprised to see any of them as monger favourites.
#10 - Blue Moo – An amazing buttery, rich blue from Cow’s Creamery in PEI. This is a newish cheese from them, it was released just few years ago. I love the taste; bold enough to be definitively blue, but still with a nice fruity finish and a smooth mouthfeel. Where’s your glass of Port!
#9 - Cow’s Reserve 2020 – This is a special release from Cow’s Creamery. They usually age their cheddars for up to 3 years but they have saved a batch for longer maturing. I find this one a little nuttier and mellower than their usual cheddar. I love the slightly brittle texture.
#8 - Alfred le Fermier This is a lovely firm cheese from Fromagerie La Station. A certified organic cheese, this cheese also has Farmstead certification, so that we know the milk and the cheese are produced on the same property. Alfred (the farmer ) is all the things you want: nutty, with a nice lasting flavour and it tastes all the better for knowing the animals are being well cared for and are living their best lives.
#7 - St Albert’s Seven Year Cheddar – What a great representation of the long cheddar making tradition in Ontario. Made just outside of Ottawa, this gem has so much flavour and such great texture that you won’t be able to stop eating it once you start.
#6 - Le Religieuse – This is a washed rind, medium textured cheese made by Fromagerie du Presbytère In Warwick, Quebec. There are a lot of washed rind cheeses made in Quebec and an astonishing amount of them are excellent, but this is one of my favourites. Religieuse has an beautiful rich texture, and such a great taste of hay, mushrooms, and fresh cream. Yum!
#5 - Three Year Quebec Cheddar – It is one of our top sellers, so apparently lots of you agree with all of us mongers. Lots of tyrosine crystals for crunch, and just a great balance of flavours. We sell a lot of five year Quebec cheddar too, but for me this is the sweet spot. This cheddar is sharp enough, but still a tiny bit creamy, and with a good long lasting flavour profile.
#4 - Cow’s Cultured Butter – I told you that some of us seem to think butter is a cheese. Well I’m not sure if it is a cheese, but in case you haven’t ever tried it, butter is the perfect match for cheese. You think your piece of Cow’s reserve 2020 cheddar tastes god? Try it with some butter too and you’ll love it even more. Cow’s make three butter varieties, sea salt, unsalted and the cultured and I love them all, but I definitely think there is something extra special in the cultured butter. If you are going to have some butter where you will really taste it and enjoy it , give this one a shot. It may become your favourite cheese too!
I’ll leave you with these tasty options, and next week, I’ll get to the good part and tell you our top 3 Canadian favourites.