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australian cheeseplease
enjoying australia’s quality cheese at its best
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discover cheese...
...australian cheese
Australian cheese is made with milk Australian cheese is celebrated for its
from cows that graze almost entirely on quality, flavour and innovation – a result
fresh, green pastures. They produce a of best practice cheesemaking.
cheese that is rich and creamy yellow Australian cheesemakers are artists who
in colour due to the increased amounts use science and experience to create
of beta-carotene in the milk. flavour and character in every cheese
By comparison, European cheeses they produce – the cheesemakers’
are generally made with milk from cows importance should never be under
that are fed silage and are often pale estimated.
in colour. Happy, pasture-fed cows
When you purchase Australian cheese,
produce high quality milk that is then
you are supporting the Australian
turned into delicious, creamy-coloured
cheese industry and its development
cheese.
and at the same time helping the
Australian economy.
Ask for...
“Australian Cheese Please”
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cheese speak
Boost your Body: A term which denotes the Rind: A protective external surface of a
physical consistency of a cheese – cheese. Its role is to protect the interior
cheese knowledge soft, firm, hard, crumbly - and is often of the cheese while allowing it to ripen
by brushing up determined by the moisture content. and develop in flavour and texture.
on these often Curd: This is the first stage in Specialist Cheese: Refers to hand-
used terms. cheesemaking which is a coagulated made cheese using both on farm and
portion of milk comprising protein, bought-in milk.
fat, water and a small amount of milk
Surface Ripened: Ripening takes
sugar (lactose).
place from the surface of the cheese
Eyes: Holes are formed in the cheese towards the centre. Surface ripened
from bubbles of carbon dioxide gas cheeses, such as brie, camembert and
produced during fermentation. washed rind, develop an edible rind or
crust which influences the flavour and
Farmhouse Cheese: Refers to hand-
body of the cheese.
made cheese using milk sourced from
the cheesemaker’s farm. Use-by Date: Australian cheeses
all display a use-by date on their
Maturation: Also referred to as “Ageing”.
packaging. It serves as a guide for
This important stage in cheesemaking
when a cheese is expected to be in
is when a cheese is left to ripen.
peak condition for serving.
Moulds: Moulds can be on the surface
Wrapping: The style of cheese dictates
or interior of the cheese. They assist
how and when the cheese is wrapped.
in the development of flavour and aroma,
For example, white mould cheeses
and hasten the ripening process.
often breathe through the wrapping
Most moulds are strains of Penicillium.
as they continue to ripen.
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Remember the More and more people are To make it simple, there are a few easy
discovering the pleasures of guidelines to follow when selecting the
three “R’s” selecting and serving Australian perfect Australian cheese.
when selecting cheese; there are no fixed rules,
1. Where possible, always taste the
Australian cheese can be enjoyed at
cheese prior to purchasing.
cheeses. any time!
2. Choose one or two perfectly ripened
Some like to serve cheese with
cheeses, rather than a collection of
When a cheese is pre-dinner drinks whilst others prefer
mediocre cheeses to feature on a
Ripe to serve it with the meal. It depends
cheese plate.
very much on the style of cheese.
and at
Some like to serve cheese after the 3. If possible, buy cheese freshly cut
Room main course and others after dessert. from a larger wheel or piece.
temperature, it’s Some simply serve cheese casually
4. Choose cheese close to use-by
Ready on a platter to share with friends.
date. Cheese is often reduced in
Cheese is that versatile!
to serve! price close to the use-by date
for a quick sale. This is great for
consumers as cheese is often ripe
and at its best by then. (NB. Take
care it’s not overipe).
Correct storage • As a general rule and where possible, • Store blue mould and washed rind
always store cheese wrapped in its cheeses separate to other foods.
is a vital factor original wrapper.
in nurturing • Cheeses should be stored in the
• Use waxed paper (or loose cling refrigerator at temperatures between
cheese to its wrap, depending on the cheese style) approximately 4°C – 6°C.
optimum serving if the original wrapper is not available
• Only cover the cut surface of cheese
condition. as it allows the cheese to breathe.
to enable the natural rind to breathe,
• Avoid using foil for wrapping blue except for earthy smelling washed
cheese for more than 2 weeks as it rinds and blue cheeses that require
will react with the cheese. individual wrapping and storing to
reduce odours in the refrigerator.
• Store fresh unripened cheeses in a
covered container or tub and use • When cheeses are removed from
preferably within a week of purchase their original packaging, avoid
or as indicated by the use-by date. stacking them on top of one another
as it damages the rind, misshapes
• As a general rule, the harder the
the cheeses and hinders further
cheese the longer its shelf life.
maturation.
Factors that will affect shelf life are:
the age of the cheese when
purchased, and how it is cared for
after purchase. Refer to the individual
cheese classifications for further
information.
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...presenting cheese
Allow a total of • Choose cheeses from different • To avoid cheeses drying-out whilst
categories to offer a variety of bringing them to room temperature,
80-90g cheese textures, colours and flavours. cover with a clean, damp tea towel
per person or or individually cover with plastic wrap.
• Enhance the presentation of a
approximately platter with different cheese shapes • Serve with complementary
30g of each or by placing wedges at different accompaniments that don’t
cheese if you angles on the plate. overpower, such as quince paste,
muscatel clusters, figs, pears or
are serving a • Cheeses with rinds should be cut
crisp apples. Keep it simple, yet
selection. from the centre of the cheese to the
stylish and feature only one or two
edge, allowing each part of the
accompaniments to complement
Remove cheese cheese to be enjoyed.
the cheese selection on offer.
from the fridge • When serving more than one cheese,
• Encourage guests to cut cheese
one hour before always use a different knife for each
wedges along the length (from
cheese to prevent mixing flavours.
service. ‘nose to tail’) rather than cutting
• Remove cheese from the refrigerator off the point!
at least one hour before service then
cut to size and plate for presentation.
Serve Australian cheeses at room
temperature to achieve optimum
flavour. To minimise wastage, only
remove the portion of cheese that
is required for use.
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cheese accompaniments
Cheese Varieties Suitable Accompaniments are:
Keep Fresh Unripened and Olive bread Semi-dried tomatoes
Fresh Stretched Curd Olives Olive oil
accompaniments (specifically Anchovies Roasted peppers
Bocconcini styles) Fresh herbs Fresh berries
for cheese Capers Basil and olive oil
Prosciutto Slow-roasted onions
simple and
White Mould Crisp baguette Quince paste
stylish - enhance (Brie/Camembert styles) Almond bread Fresh or frozen grapes
Water crackers Figs
don’t detract from Poached pear
your magnificent
Washed Rind Toasted raisin bread Sultanas
cheese. Pears Hazelnuts
Bitter greens Fruit bread
Apple puree Rye bread
Styles Cottage Cheese, Creamed Cottage Cheese, Cream Cheese, Feta, Mascarpone, Neufchatel,
Quark, Ricotta and Stracchino.
Serve • Always serve fresh, soft cheeses at a cooler temperature than firmer cheeses.
• Because of their delicate flavour, fresh unripened cheeses can be combined with fresh berries, honey, grated citrus
rinds and liqueurs to create serving accompaniments to desserts, or served as a sweet course on their own.
• Serve with crusty breads and soft textured biscuits rather than crunchy biscuits as the crunchiness detracts from
the texture of the cheeses.
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Serve • If Mozzarella, Pizza Cheese and Haloumi are cooked, serve immediately to maximise the visual ‘stretch’ that
is a trademark with this style of cheese.
• The mild flavour of Bocconcini is complemented by the robust flavours of olives, cured meats,
ripe tomatoes and fresh basil.
• Remove Bocconcini from refrigerator 15 minutes prior to serving to develop its full flavour.
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Select • Cheese should have a velvety white rind, a creamy and glossy, golden interior with no dry edges or
overpowering smell of ammonia.
• Centre of the cheese should ooze or bulge when cut.
• Surface mould should show signs of breakdown.
• Avoid Camembert or Brie that has a chalky centre as this indicates an unripened cheese.
Serve • Remove cheese from fridge at least an hour before service for the best flavour development.
• Delicious drizzled with toffee and walnuts for a simple and stunning dessert.
• Add to gourmet sandwiches or baguettes with smoked ham and vine-ripened tomatoes.
• Top cooked fillet steak with a slice of ripe Camembert or Brie before serving.
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Serve • To encourage first time users of Washed Rinds, it is recommended to taste only the centre of the cheese
without the rind - the flesh is sweet and nutty with no hint of the wildness of the rind.
• Allow a minimum of half an hour at room temperature prior to serving.
• As the flavour of the cheese is quite complex, keep the accompaniments simple.
Serve with pear or apple and toasted fruit bread.
• Delicious thinly sliced in gourmet sandwiches.
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Styles Cheddar, Cheshire, Club Cheese, Colby, Red Leicester, Lancashire and Gloucester.
Select • Look for crumbly cheese that is free from dryness or cracks on the surface.
• Cheese should have a lingering flavour (ask to taste).
• The longer the cheese is aged, the more the flavour will develop.
Store • Cheddar and Cheddar-style cheeses can keep for up to several months.
• Store wrapped loosely in plastic wrap.
• Note the use-by date; the shelf life will vary depending upon the age of the cheese when purchased.
• Freezing causes cheese to become dry and crumbly and is not recommended unless grated for cooking.
eye cheese
Story Named for the eyes that are formed by bubbles of carbon
dioxide gas produced during maturation, these cheeses
have a smooth, satin-like texture and sweet, nutty flavour.
Select • Select cheese with a smooth cut surface and shiny eyes and with surface rind intact.
• Should be light in colour and smooth in texture.
• Avoid cheese with moisture (tears) that has collected in the eyes.
blue cheese
Story A unique cheese with veins of green, grey or blue mould
featuring throughout. A mostly strong, tangy flavoured cheese
with a salty finish but with many milder versions available
for the more delicate palate.
Styles Blue Brie - A rich and creamy Brie with subtle blue characteristics. Perfect as a ‘beginner’s’ Blue cheese!
Gorgonzola Style Blue - Earthy with distinct fruity overtones.
Danish Style Blue - Sharp tasting with a salty bite.
(Note: Australian manufacturers produce Blues in a variety of styles, marketed under specific brand names).
Select • Select Blue cheese that is moist and evenly veined and with an earthy aroma.
• The rind should be damp but not too sticky.
• Avoid Blue cheeses that have wet or sticky rinds and a strong yeasty smell.
• Outer edges of cheese should be firm and not crusted or split.
• Choose Blue Brie if the rind, like that of Brie or Camembert, shows signs of breakdown.
Store • Blue cheese maturation varies from 1 - 4 weeks, depending on the level of maturity.
• Store in its original wrapper or with foil against the cut face for up to 2 weeks only.
• Store in the warmest part of the refrigerator which is the vegetable drawer.
• Because of its distinctive aroma, it is a good idea to store Blue cheese in a glass container with a lid
to avoid flavour exchange to other foods.
• Freezing is not recommended.
Serve • The smell, flavour and appearance of Blue cheese serves as a guide to its ripeness.
• For beginners, select a mild, creamy Blue Brie to serve.
• Excellent added to salads, incorporated into sauces, quiches, tarts and pasta dishes.
• Great melted onto steak, used as a stuffing in chicken or served as a sandwich ingredient.
• Delicious added to hot polenta and risottos.
• Take cheese out of the refrigerator at least one hour before serving.
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hard cheese
Story Hard cheeses have their own distinctive, robust, concentrated
flavour. They keep very well due to very low moisture content
and the longer they are aged, the more flavour and character
they develop. They are most often grated or shaved over hot
dishes or salads, but can also be served as a table cheese.
Styles Parmesan - A robust cheese with a slightly sweet and fruity flavour that lingers on the palate.
Pepato - The flavour of the peppercorns complements the piquant flavour of this cheese.
Pecorino - A characteristic sharp flavoured cheese which is slightly sweet and slightly salty.
Romano - A strong flavoured cheese when fully matured - yet not sharp.
Select • Look for cheese that is hard and granular in texture and with no cracks or splits.
• If mould appears, trim the surface and use remaining cheese.
Store • Can be stored unopened or well covered for long periods of time due to its low moisture content.
• Hard cheeses keep for up to 12 months in the refrigerator.
• Freezing is not recommended unless grated, then it can be stored in an airtight freezer bag or container
for up to 12 months.
Serve • Serve as a table cheese with pears, apples, figs, almonds or walnuts.
• Shave onto pizza, salads and cooked asparagus.
• Grate onto pasta, lasagne or into soup.
• Grill on eggplant or zucchini.
• Add to a cream sauce.
• Combine grated Hard cheeses with breadcrumbs or ground almonds and fresh herbs to crumb meats and vegetables.
• Stir grated into risottos.
• Infuse the cheese rind in olive oil and add fresh thyme over a low heat for 10 minutes.
Allow to cool and use oil to drizzle over pizza, pasta or salads.
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a natural selection...
Welcome to
the world of
cheese and
wine matching.
Fresh Unripened Cheese White Mould Cheese Blue Cheese Washed Rind Cheese
Lighter, refreshing wines that Suits a variety of wine Sweet wines are the best Can be hard to match.
don’t overpower delicate styles e.g. match for the tangy, saltiness The best styles are usually
flavours e.g. • Chardonnay or Semillon of Blue e.g. sweet and full bodied e.g.
• Sparkling • Sparkling • Dessert wines • Dessert wine
• Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc • Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot • Fortified wines • Fortified wine
• Pinot Noir, Grenache or cool or warm climate Shiraz • Riesling or Gewürztraminer • Pinot Noir, Grenache or cool
climate Shiraz climate Shiraz
• Dessert wines • Sparkling red
• Also good with beer
Stretched Curd Cheese Eye Cheese Cheddar and Cheddar Hard Cheese
For matching with fresh Quite versatile to match Styles Choose intense wines to
types, choose light, refreshing with wine e.g. Suits a variety of wines e.g. match e.g.
wines e.g. • Chardonnay or Semillon • Chardonnay or Semillon • Chardonnay or Semillon
• Sparkling • Pinot Noir, Grenache or cool • Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot • Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
• Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc climate Shiraz or warm climate Shiraz or warm climate Shiraz
• Pinot Noir, Grenache or cool • Dessert wine • Dessert wine • Fortified wine
climate Shiraz • Fortified wine • Fortified wine • Sparkling wines also match
as acidity contrasts with the
texture of the cheese
ACP.24pp cookbook.ƒ 06/10/2005 10:53 AM Page 1
Dairy Australia
Level 5, IBM Centre, 60 City Road
Southbank Victoria 3006
T + 61 3 9694 3777
F + 61 3 9694 3733
E enquiries@dairyaustralia.com.au
For further information visit www.dairy.com.au DANMACP 001/05