Semi Soft Cheese
We have a (semi) soft spot for these cheeses! Discover our selection of semi-soft cheese from around the world, and find out what it means when a cheese is classified as "semi-soft". To officially classify as a semi-soft cheese, the water content must be under 45% and above 36%. This is a super varied category of cheeses, including cheeses made from different milks - goat, cow, sheep and buffalo (even mixed).
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About Semi-Soft Cheese
Semi soft is usually a name used for cheeses in the ripened category, usually with a starter culture either intentionally added or present naturally in the ripening process. They have a high moisture content, about 40-50% water, so not as high as soft cheeses, but rendering them creamy and mostly soft. They’re made with whole milk, and are usually young, aged about 30 to 90 days. While soft cheeses are usually spreadable, semi-soft cheeses can be spread with a little effort, but also cubed and sliced easily. They’re pliable and smooth, as opposed to hard cheeses, but are not unctuous. They melt easily, thanks to that moisture, and can broiled or browned as well. Their flavor can vary dramatically, but they blend well with other cheeses, since they tend to be young and mild.
Types of Semi Soft Cheese
There are two main types of semi soft cheeses:
- Interior-ripened cheeses, where the aging starts from within, is one example.
- Surface-ripened or washed ring, where the aging starts from the outside.
Choose from classic picks like Mozzarella, or rare finds like Petit Livarot from France! This category of cheese includes some great cheeseboard selections, and a great array of flavors and textures. A perfect example of a semi soft cheese is Mozzarella di Buffala, a smooth cheese with an elastic and pliable texture.
Semi soft cheese list:
- Roquefort
- Stilton
- Manchego
- Gorgonzola
- Gouda
- Provolone
- Edam
- Havarti
- Fontina
You'll find semi-soft blue cheese, semi-soft sheep's milk cheese, goat cheese, even buffalo milk cheese!
How To Serve
Semi-soft cheeses have a very good melting characteristic, so they are great for cooking and ideal for sandwiches, grilled cheese, casseroles, and pizzas. They're great to slice, some melting easily and great for grilled cheeses, some of the crumblier variety perfect for salads. Serve semi-soft cheeses in fondues, add them to savory tarts and quiches, crumble over hot and cold salads, or just take your favorite and serve them on a cheese plate. You can't go wrong!
Semi Soft Cheese Questions And Answers
Q:How long does semi soft cheese last?
A:Semi soft cheeses last one to three weeks, refrigerated.
Q:Can semi-soft cheese be frozen?
A:Yes, all cheeses can be frozen, however, the texture is usually altered once thawed, so only freeze semi soft cheeses when absolutely necessary.
Q:What are some examples of semi-soft cheeses?
A:Mozzarella is one of the best examples, while others include Roquefort, Swiss cheeses like Fontina, Gouda, Havarti, Edam and Provolone.
Q:What are semi soft cheeses?
A:Semi soft cheeses are ripened cheese with about 40-50% water content, made from full fat whole milk.