Basics of Cheese

By Jennifer Meier, About.com Guide to Cheese

Ever walk into a cheese store and feel overwhelmed? Learn the basics and you'll have no problem telling Bries from Triple Cremes and washed-rinds from bloomy rinds again. Cheese 101 turns buying cheese into a fun and delicious journey by walking you through the different flavors and styles of cheese, explaining the cheesemaking process and introducing cheesemakers and industry professionals.

1. How Cheese is Made
2. Buying Cheese
3. Domestic Cheese
4. International Cheese

How Cheese is Made

Learn about the art and science of turning milk into cheese

• Six Important Steps in Cheesemaking
• Milk Types
• Raw vs Pasteurized Issue
• What is Vegetarian Rennet?
• How Blue Cheese is Made

• Why is Ash Used in Cheesemaking?
• Types of Cheese Rinds
• Beyond Rinds
• What Are Cheese Mites?
• What Are Cheese Maggots?

Buying Cheese

A guide to buying flavorful, perfectly ripened cheese from the best cheese shops and online retailers

• Essential Cheese Knowledge
• Quick Tips for Buying and Storing Cheese
• Where to Buy Cheese
• The Seasonality of Cheese

• Lactose Free Cheese Substitutes
• Cheese With Less Lactose
• Parmigiano-Reggiano vs Parmesan

Domestic Cheese

Explore the flavors and textures of domestic cheeses made by artisanal cheesemakers in the United States and learn about the artisanal cheese industry

• Photo Library of Domestic Cheese
• East Coast Cheesemakers
• West Coast Cheesemakers
• Midwest Cheesemakers
• Industry People, Organizations and Events

International Cheese

Explore the flavors and textures of cheese from around the world

• Cheese of France
• Cheese of Italy
• Cheese of Spain
• Cheese of Switzerland
• Cheese of the British Isles

• Cheese of Greece
• Cheese of Mexico
• More International Cheeses
• Photo Library of International Cheese