Is it too early for picnic cheese? Every year, I expect April to basically be full-on warm spring weather and it Never. Ever. Is. When I was a kid, I’d ask my parents if April was going to be shorts weather since my main goal was always to get back into shorts, but no, they’d remind me, it’s still cold and wet. When I was in college in Vermont, April would hit, the sun would show itself for five seconds, and we’d be out on the muddy lawns, lying out on towels. The bravest of us were “tanning” in bathing suits, determined that the watery sunlight would bronze our winter-pale skin. It never did.

I have a feeling many of you have experienced this desire for warm spring in early April, so why change expectations now? I think early April is when picnics should be pleasant again, so let’s get out there! Ooo dodge that frosty puddle! Don’t put the blanket in that patch of snow! Maybe let’s find a spot out of the icy wind? Now that we’ve found the perfect spot, let’s talk picnic cheese.

Alp Blossom
It may be obvious, but I don’t care - Alp Blossom is the perfect cheese to ring in spring. It’s covered in flowers and herbs, so even if our gardens are shriveled and our lawns are brown, there will be colorful plants on our cheese! The smooth paste tastes like caramelized onions and butter with floral, herbal flavors from the rind. When you put chunks of this alpine-style cheese on crackers, it screams spring, gosh darn it! Especially with a dot of some berry jam. And maybe a glass of Champagne.

Walden
This soft little number comes to us from Sequatchie Cove Creamery in Tennessee. It’s perfect for a picnic because its size means a few people could happily demolish it, and its lush texture and thin rind make it soooo easy to cut and eat. It smells like wildflowers, walnuts, and butter, and tastes like sauteed button mushrooms with the extra savory notes of a roast chicken. Actually, this cheese pairs really nicely with sauteed mushrooms and roast chicken, so maybe bring those dishes to your picnic too!

Stilton
Stilton looks crumbly when it’s on the wheel, but it becomes fudgy as you start eating it. We love this salty, rich, funky cheese on a steak sandwich, crumbled over grilled squash, added to a grain salad, or spread on a baguette and drizzled spicy honey. All good picnic items!

Now this is a friggin’ picnic! Very springy, very cheerful, very delicious.

For the love of cheese and starting outdoor activities too early,

Kiri

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