Stuff Every Cheese Lover Should Know

The perfect gift for the cheese lover in your life, this pocket guide includes a brief history of cheese, a primer on the different types of cheese, cheese pairing guides, essential cheese recipes, home cheese-making tips, how to host a cheese tasting, and more.

It's hard to think of a more universally beloved food than cheese. But cheese lovers know there's more to the world of cheese than grilled cheese, parmesan on salads, and a plate of cheese and crackers.

There are over a thousand different types of cheeses produced worldwide, offering a wide variety of flavors, textures, and aromas. All of them are unique depending on the type of milk used, the aging process, pasteurization, herbs and spices added, and more. Even the biggest cheese lover has a lot to learn about the age-old art of cheese. How is cheese made? What makes certain cheeses so stinky? What is raw cheese? Why do some cheeses melt better than others? How should one store cheese? And why are some cheeses banned by the FDA?

Within the pages of this pocket-sized guide, you'll find information, how-tos, and trivia for cheese lovers at all levels. Experts and newbies alike will learn:

Highlights from Cheese History Types of Cheese Perfect Cheese Pairings Essential Cheese Gadgets How to Make Cheese at Home How to Host a Cheese Tasting And more!

About the Author

Alexandra Jones is a Philadelphia-based food writer, home cheesemaking teacher, and advocate for sustainably minded farm and food businesses in Pennsylvania. She has spent the past several years building bridges between cheesemakers, retailers and restaurants throughout the region. She blogs for Foobooz.com, Philadelphia magazine's dining site, and writes about food, farming and urban sustainability for publications like CivilEats.com, Audubon, Edible Philly, and Grid.