Koobdooga Book Club
Blessed are the Cheesemakers
Small farm cheeses are a passion with me.
Washington state is blessed with many ways: amazing summers, beautiful mountains
and forests, rugged coastlines, wineries and some the best small farm
cheesemakers.
For the list of Washington State cheeses I served at the
Blessed are the Cheesemakers bookclub meeting
click here.
— Valerie
Estrella Family Creamery
Estrella Family Creamery in Montesano began when Kelli Estrella's husband, Anthony, consented to dig a hole in the floor of their newly built house so she could have a cave to age her homemade cheese. They specialize in raw-milk artisan cheeses from its all-grass-fed 17 cows and 30 goats, plus a few sheep. There are about 10 to 12 cheeses available at any one time. Among them, the Wynoochee River Blue, Black Creek Buttery (cheddar), Grisdale Goat, Jalapeño and the Melange (Camembert-type) are popular. The blue has captured the attention of cheese connoisseurs throughout Puget Sound with its smooth pungency. The Black Creek Buttery is an apt name for a cheese that well displays the quality of milk used in its production. Other cheeses include Valentina, a Swiss-type; Guapier, a morbier-type; and Tomme de Marc, which has a rind that's been washed in marc (grape skins) donated by a nearby winemaker.
Valerie's Cheeseoluscious Scale |
Highest Cheeses to be savored; that best in any land. I've tried all that I can get my hands on, only once was the mobier a bit heavy handed with some very course ash. |
Black Sheep Creamery
Black Sheep Creamery in Adna was started when Meg Gregory son’s cows milk allergies led her to buy 1 black sheep from Oregon. Available at the Redmond Farmer’s Market. Mopsy's Best is a wonderful cheese, that suits many palates; I like to have one around all the time.
Valerie's Cheeseoluscious Scale |
Top A consistent, lovely pleasure. A middle-range flavor, like a Manchego. |
Sally Jackson Cheeses
Sally Jackson Cheeses of Oroville has a reputation as one of the Northwest's great cheesemakers. She has two signature cheeses, wrapped in chestnut and grape leaves, are made from cow, goat or sheep milk or a combination. Available at the Larry’s and Whole Foods.
Valerie's Cheeseoluscious Scale |
Wonderful, yet... I've had to buy her cheeses at gourmet cheese shops and many times the Washington cheeses don't move quickly. The ones I've tries are good but had an undertone of too much age for such buttery, rich cheese. I attributed to the shop, not Sally Jackson. I will try again. |
Beecher's Handmade Cheese
Beecher's Handmade Cheese at Pike Place Market is huge compared to most startup artisan cheese makers. Its most requested product is a Gruyère. They also offer younger cheeses with savory world flavorings and fresh soft cheeses and curds, all made with pasteurized rBst-free cow's milk.
Valerie's Cheeseoluscious Scale |
Good Excellent butter. Kids and adults love the cheese curds; I like the white curds better that the yellow. The fresher the better. I don't care for the flavored cheeses; but they work well on veggie sandwiches. |
Samish Bay Cheese
Samish Bay Cheese of Bow makes certified-organic raw-milk Gouda, Montasio and Mont Blanchard. Available at the Redmond Farmer’s Market and Whole Foods.
Valerie's Cheeseoluscious Scale |
Good |
Appel Farms
Appel Farms in Lynden produces Gouda aged, smoked and spiced/flavored varieties. This may be a larger farm; I haven't looked into it. Paneer and Quark (including fat free, low fat and traditional) are also produced.
Valerie's Cheeseoluscious Scale |
Paneer: Tofu-like, but that is to be
expected. I have never had a flavorful paneer, until it gets in a curry. I've only tried their Paneer, which is a simple, uncultured, firm cheese that stays firm in curries and sauces, it just doesn't melt. It usually has little flavor. |
St. Jude Tuna
Woman does not live on cheese alone! Their smoked tuna,
freezes well and make a great quick appetizer or snack (you have to have it with
Honey Crisp apple slices and some cheese). The honey fresh smoked
(refrigeration/freezing required) tuna is my favorite.
http://www.tunatuna.com/
Valerie's Cheeseoluscious Scale |
Excellent fresh, smoked tuna |
Cheeses Outside Washington State
Surfing Goat Dairy
Maui has the Surfing Goat Dairy, I had some wonderful soft cheeses: plain and in herbs, but my favorite was the balls in olive oil and garlic and Mediterranean Herbs (excellent and great consistency). The staff a cheese shop in Kihei had little good to say about their cheese, but I visited to try it any way... glad I did. The cheese was flavorful and didn't try to taste like a cows milk cheese. http://www.surfinggoatdairy.com/
Valerie's Cheeseoluscious Scale |
Top |