July 13, 2021
Cheese Wisdom: A bloomy rind cheese with a special twist
And why you find vegetable ash so often in cheese
Dirt Lover is available at Mere’s on Park Road. Anita Skogland/UP
THE CHEESE: Green Dirt Farm Dirt Lover Sheep’s Milk Cheese, Weston, Md.
PURCHASE AT: Mere’s Cheese Shop, $15.99 per 5 oz. disc
THE STYLE: Soft, spreadable cheese made from sheep’s milk with a bloomy rind (like Brie) and dusted with vegetable ash. Most cheeses in this style are made from goat or cow milk, so this is a bit special.
FLAVOR PROFILE: Very creamy texture with lemon and cashew notes. The aroma is low funk, unless you age it – it then gets more earthy.
HOW TO ENJOY IT: Serve with almonds, grainy crackers, dried fruit, celery, pickled okra. You can cut this into wedges for a great salad addition. Pair with a crisp rosé or sauvignon blanc.
EXTRA READING: Adding vegetable ash is a very old process used in cheese-making to assist with the formation of a rind. Ash is an alkaline substance that neutralizes acidity and aids in the ripening process. It is tasteless and edible.
