We love a holiday. Any excuse to celebrate with a cheeseboard, a glass of something sparkly, and maybe a vase of fresh flowers, we shall take. Thus, a very happy Earth Day, everybody! As an homage to our dearly beloved and beautiful Earth, I have chosen cheeses with flavors that inspire thoughts of healthy soil, rain covered rocks, and green growing things.

Shelburne Clothbound Cheddar

I want to start with clothbound cheddar because one of their key characteristics is an earthy, grassy flavor. The cheesemakers at Shelburne Farms in Vermont make many different cheddars but just one clothbound, inspired by those from the British Isles. It is rich, tangy, and very savory. Basically, it tastes and smells like you’re standing in a field of fresh green grass while someone grills steaks nearby. THAT sounds like a picnic I’d like to be a part of. I’ll bring the cheddar.

Tomme de Savoie

Hello, earthy! If you’ve wondered what we mean when we describe a cheese as such, try a piece of the French Tomme de Savoie. This semi-firm cheese smells like a freshly watered garden, a forest floor, a wild meadow (don’t you roll your eyes at me! It’s true!). It tastes like salted butter, earth of course, and grapes, with a touch of woodsiness.

Dirt Lover

This little sheep’s milk semi-softie from Missouri even looks like a pretty stone with its ash-covered grey and white rind. AND it’s perfectly named for Earth Day! Dirt is important to cheesemaker Sarah Hoffman because healthy dirt means good grass, which leads to a varied and nutrient-rich diet for Sarah’s sheep, which means the sheep give tasty milk, which becomes complex and interesting cheese! Dirt Lover is easy to love, with flavors of wet stones, white button mushrooms, fresh cream, and lemon zest. Also, hot tip, it’s very good with rosé or Prosecco.

For the love of cheese and THE EARTH,

Kiri

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P.S. Since Ramadan began last week, I wanted to brush up on my very limited Ramadan knowledge. Though for some of you I’m sure this article is way too basic, I found it a helpful place to start. If you are celebrating this month, Ramadan kareem!