Love both travel and cheese? These two things go together remarkably well. In fact, often you’ll find the best cheeses in countries that you’re visiting overseas.
Here are some things you should know:
Traveling with cheese is possible
It’s easy to assume that cheese is seriously perishable. But refrigeration is relatively modern. Before this, cheesemakers would make cheeses that could stay at a cellar temperature for months. Fresh cheeses would be eaten within a couple of days, and it’s just our modern sensibilities that make us believe that traveling with cheese is impossible.
If you find some incredible cheese in say, France, there’s a strong likelihood that you’ll be able to bring that cheese home. In fact, there really aren’t that many cheeses that wouldn’t be able to survive an 8-hour journey on a plane, where temperatures are relatively chilly.
The harder the cheese, the less perishable it will generally be. Look for firm cheeses that are at least 5 months old. This will mean that their level of moisture (which causes bacteria) are much lower. These can stay out of the fridge for a day or a little longer- especially if they’re super-aged gouda, aged pecorino, or parmesan.
Tin foil is great for any type of cheese, since it’s an insulator and will help keep it cool. If the cheese is already packaged, consider wrapping the packaging in foil as well.
Be sure to do a cheese tour
If you’re heading to Europe, a cheese tour is a must. This is even truer if you’re planning to visit Paris. Consider a French cheese workshop, where you’ll learn all about how different cheeses are made in France, why they use raw unpasteurized milk, and how the French enjoy these cheeses at home. You’ll also get to taste plenty of cheese, and many of these tours include wine, which you can learn how to pair with each type of cheese.
Learn to make your own
If you’re like most people, you may return home from a cheese-based holiday and decide you’d like to learn how to make your own. Luckily, you can easily find rennet for making cheese and also some cheese making supplies online. This will ensure that you can practice in the privacy of your own home before serving guests with cheese you’ve made yourself. How impressive!
