What does the rind say about a cheese?
There is a lot of variation in the rind of cheese, I dare say perhaps even more than in the cheeses themselves. Does the colour, texture, hardness etc. reveal anything about how the cheese was made, how it will taste, how old it is, etc.?
Simply by looking at a piece of cheese, what can you deduce?
Best Answer
You can learn a lot from the rind of a cheese.
http://cheese.about.com/od/howcheeseismade/tp/cheese_rinds.htm There are three types of rind: Bloomy, washed, and natural. While I don't think it is technically a rind I would also list waxed as a category.
Bloomy rinds are formed when molds and such that grew during the cheese aging are smashed flat. Usually such cheeses will have unique textures because of the action of the mold. Think of the creaminess of brie as an example. The rind is edible if it is in good condition.
Washed- the cheese is wiped with vinegar or similar while it ages.
Natural- The top layer of the cheese is allowed to dry as the cheese ages. Parmesan is a good example of this.
Waxed- Wax is applied to inhibit drying and mold growth. It is common with many semi firm to firm cheeses and doesn't tell you much except the favorite color of the cheese marketing people. Cheddar is almost always waxed.
Some cheeses don't have a rind at all- this generally means that they weren't aged. Cream cheese, queso fresco are examples. Mozarella and feta are both brined and so don't have rinds.
Of course- it is a good thing when you can see any rind at all as odds are good that the cheese wasn't mass produced for an undiscriminating clientele.
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Quick Answer about "What does the rind say about a cheese?"
Washed rind cheeses are often the most aromatic, or what some people call “stinky cheese.” The flavor of the cheese is typically stronger and saltier, due to the brine and alcohol. Washed rinds are edible, although you might want to avoid the rind if it tastes excessively salty.What does rind do to cheese?
For most cheeses, the rind is a key part of that. Think of a cheese rind as the protective blanket surrounding the outside of your cheese, but that's not the only purpose it serves. The rind isn't just there to protect cheese from the elements: it can impart its own unique flavor and texture onto your cheese.What is the rind on cheese called?
That powdery, funky stuff on the outside of your cheese is called a rind and it's basically the cheese's skin. Cheese rinds form during the aging process and there are three types: bloomy, washed, and natural rinds. OK, enough with the fancy talk. Are you supposed to eat that stuff or nah?Why is the rind of Brie so gross?
The rind is, in fact, a white mold called Penicillium candidum, which cheesemakers inoculate the cheese with. This edible mold blooms on the outside of the paste and is then patted down, over and over again, to form the rind. This process gives Brie its distinctive taste.Should you eat the rind on cheese?
Yes, the rind is generally safe to eatUnless there is wax, cheesecloth or paper on the rind, Bivins says you don't need to worry about getting sick if you take a big bite out of the rind of your cheese, which Food & Wine has pointed out before. "Just taste a little bit, you'll be fine.Is It Safe To Eat Cheese Rinds?
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