Hard Cheese
If you’re the type that likes your Cheddar in chunks and your Grana ready to grate, you’ve come to the right place! Here, you’ll find some beloved favorites like crumbly Italian Parmigiano Reggiano, aged Cheddars studded with crystals, and buttery Manchegos ready to pair with soft Membrillo. Discover the best cheese for every dish, plus sheep’s milk and hard goat cheese varieties within our carefully curated selection!
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About Hard Cheese
What makes a cheese hard? Beginning in the first stages of the cheesemaking process, hard cheeses are pressed to remove excess moisture and then aged. Wheels are stored in caverns and specially designed refrigerators to provide the ideal environment to create the savory complexity intrinsic to this type of cheese. A true art form, each step adds up to create the dry, crumbly texture and tastes we know and love.
Types of Cheese
We offer a selection of hard cheeses that are sourced from all around the world, with famous offerings from Italy, France, Spain, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and more! Accompanying our classic varieties, you’ll find a host of new, exciting cheeses to try.
The cheeses within this category are a hardworking bunch. Endlessly versatile, use them to shave over risotto and pasta, melt into fondue, and create sumptuous au gratin dishes. From classic staples to new great American cheeses from artisan creameries, like Fiscalini’s cheddar and Monterrey Jack, our selection has something for all.
And, if you like a great cheese board, we’ve created some fabulous cheese baskets filled with - you guessed it -hard cheeses! Perfect for appetizers or a gourmet gift, add a crusty baguette or mini toasts, a great bottle of wine, and you’ve got the ideal gift for the cheese-loving foodie in your life.
Hard Cheese Questions And Answers
Q:Can Hard Cheese be Frozen?
A:Yes, hard cheeses can be frozen. However, their flavor and texture may be changed slightly once thawed. Freezing is one of the best storage options for the long-term preservation of cheese.
Q:How Should Hard Cheese Be Stored?
A:The best way to store cheese is in the refrigerator. Be sure to tightly wrap each portion in wax paper or plastic wrap to keep them from drying out or absorbing any odors that may change their taste.
Q:What are the Distinguishing Features of Hard Cheese?
A:Classic characteristics include their savory flavor, firm, grateable texture, and their endless versatility in the kitchen. These traits make firm cheeses a favorite among everyone, from the inexperienced home cook to the professional chef.
Q:What are Some Popular Examples of Hard Cheeses?
A:The list of hard cheeses we know and love is long and delicious, but some of the most famous include Parmesan, Cheddar, aged Gouda, Emmental, Gruyére, and hard blue cheese like Stilton. These tasty options come in a variety of iterations and a range of price points. Browse and buy your favorites right here, at Gourmet Food Store!
Q:What are Hard Cheeses?
A:A category of cheese that has a firm texture thanks to more moisture being pressed out during the initial cheesemaking process. This is followed by a longer aging period. You’ll be able to recognize these types of cheese by their dense texture and rich, complex flavor profile.