Oh my God, Cheese!

I love cheese. I am not sure I can fully put into words how much I love cheese. Truly.

Growing up, my only recollection of cheese is cheddar. Sharp, medium, mild. Cheddar. I have vague recollections of orange cheese in plastic, but I won't really let those surface, better to keep that a secret.

My world exploded, in a good way, when I studied overseas in college. I spent six months in Germany, and cheese was an entirely new world. My favorite part of the week was on Fridays, when the interns got to go out and buy food for the office. We bought amazing breads, fruit and Cheese. There was this incredible farmer's market in the town square. I literally had no idea that there were so many cheese options possible. 

Not only did we get to choose cheese for our two daily coffee breaks (did I mention work weeks were 35 hours and there were two food breaks on addition to lunch every day? Heaven?), but every two weeks there was an extra special purchase...from the cheese man

The Cheese Man showed up randomly with a package under his arm. A smelly, cloth covered package.  Out of the depths of darkness, he would pull out gross looking, horribly smelly cheese. It was homemade cheese from rural Germany - a different kind every time. I was stunned that the cheese was so good, and full of depth and flavor Just thinking about it makes me incredibly nostalgic.

I clearly need to go back to Europe. Or I need to find my own Cheese Man....hmmmm...

p.s. I was amazed to learn that cows get mastitis from over-milking, poor cows, crazy!

This post was inspired by the book The Whole Fromage by Kathe Lison, who traveled to France in search of its artisanal cheeses. Join From Left to Write on August 22 as we discuss The Whole Fromage.  As a member, I received a copy of the book for review purposes.