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10367 San Pablo Ave.
(510) 526-1155
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10387 San Pablo Ave.
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Home / Archives for Cheese Notes

Thank You Marin Cheese Company!

February 19, 2022 by The Natural Grocery Company

Marin Cheese Company is a distributor that brings us specialty cheeses. They are one of our 40th Anniversary sponsors and in every raffle tote there is a coupon for organic Montchevre Goat Cheese redeemable in our stores.

The Montchevre goat cheese they have donated is from Wisconsin. Milk is their primary ingredient and they care deeply about the way it is produced. High quality dairy products begin with high quality milk from healthy and well cared-for animals. Montchevre is committed to supporting initiatives and programs that promote communication, awareness and training opportunities for dairy production welfare issues. They offer organic goat cheese logs in plain and garlic/herb.

Filed Under: Cheese Notes, Know Your Farmer, Organic farming, Organic foods, Stores_both

Holiday Cheeseboards Made Easy

December 21, 2016 by The Natural Grocery Company

Assemble a cheeseboard with these seasonal delights and you are sure to wow your guests! Find these gems at our El Cerrito Store in the cheese section!

Bricat Al Tartufo

Bricat Al Tartufo

Bricat Al Tartufo, Raw Goat- Italy-13.99 ea. – delicious raw goat’s milk cheese dappled with black truffles throughout. It’s so ready to eat, boasting a crumbly texture but smooth mouth feel. Subtle nuttiness with a warm and earthy finish.  My favorite pairing is a Langhe Arneis from the Piedmont Region of Italy.

 

 

 

Capra Cremosa

Capra Cremosa

Capra Cremosa, Pasteurized Goat- Italy- 9.99 ea. – Customer favorite!  Tangy goat cheese topped with fresh earthy black truffles.  This will be delicious atop the holiday prime rib.  Pair with a light white like the Anselmo Mendes Passaros from Vinho Verde in Portugal (available at Annex Wine & Beer).

 

 

 

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Moser cru Blanc

Moser cru Blanc, Raw Cow-Switzerland-10.99 ea. – Having notes of chanterelle and fresh cream, the slight tang will have your guest wondering if the New Year came early, pop some bubbly and get the party started. This is a great addition to your any party! Pair with the Hubert Meyer Crémant d’Alsace (available at Annex Wine & Beer).

 

 

 

Robiola Tres Latti

Robiola Tres Latti

Robiola tre latti, Pasteurized Cow, Goat, Sheep – Italy- 10.99 ea. -Piemonte, Italy. WOW. This cheese is literally the trifecta of deliciousness. Made using cow, goat and sheep milk; every bite will showcase the best attributes of each milk.  The richness of sheep, buttery notes from the cow and that wonderful lactic tang from the goats milk. Its pastoral taste explosion will make you wish you bought two, one for you and one to share! Pair with Agnès and René Mosse Magic of Juju (Available at Annex Wine & Beer).

 

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Robiola Nostrana

Robiola Nostrana, Pasteurized Cow- Italy- 8.99 ea.–  hailing from the Lombardy region in Italy, it’s easy to say that this cheese is a typical representation of the quality of milk the region produces.  On the front there are notes of sweet milk followed by the live notes of yeast and brioche. Pairs perfectly with fruity whites and lagers.

 

 

Winnimere

Winnimere

Winnimere, Raw Cow- Vermont- 16.99 ea. – T ’is the season of Winnimere, glorious Winnimere. It’s a take on the classic Vacherin Mont d’Or. What makes this cheese not only special to me and other mongers is that, like the Swiss, they only make this during the winter months because Jasper Hills Ayrshire cows are giving rich, non GMO hay-fed raw milk.   It’s wrapped in White Spruce bark (hand harvested on the farms woodlands) then aged for approximately 60 days. This cheese has great notes of bacon, sweet cream and spruce.  I always tell customers to peel away the top rind and feel free to dip or spoon.  What we have in stock is from the first batch, which means if you don’t get one now you’ll have to wait until after New Year’s because they’ve sold out! Pair Winnimere with the Dust Bowl Brewing Black Blizzard Beer (available at Annex Wine & Beer).

Winnimere by the spoonful!

Winnimere by the spoonful!

Filed Under: Cheese Notes, El Cerrito Store, Holiday Menus, News

Cheese, Please

November 23, 2016 by The Natural Grocery Company

Looking to make your holiday spread memorable? When setting your holiday table don’t forget the cheese! 

We may not have a artisanal cheese case, but that doesn’t mean your monger has forgotten about you, he’s selected something for everyone’s taste and budget.

 

Petit Vaccarinus, Switzerland, thermised, cow – 24.99 each.

This is the centerpiece for your cheese board, on so many levels, so don’t let the price tag scare you. This sought after cheese is really a not miss. Once made raw, it’s currently made using thermised milk and under strict control of the AOC (Appélation d’origine controlee) It’s versatile, decadent, woody with barnyardy tannin. This will pair well with just about any beefy brew (stouts, porters and dessert wines) you love on hand.  Keep in mind It’s runny, which is why the fir band is kept around it throughout serving. It’s capable of serving up to 7-10 people who like to share, but why would we? This is a seasonal and limited release item so get them while their still in stock!

 

Harbison, Jasper Hill Creamery, Vermont, pasteurized, cow – 28.99/lb.

In my opinion a cheese board isn’t complete without a cheese from Jasper Hill Farm present. Harbison’ s rustic, vegetal, fruity and earthy notes really speak to the quality of milk used in its production and affinage.  Pair this beautiful work of art with oaked whites and Belgian ales. It’s wonderful smeared on your turkey or a dollop on your mashed potatoes.  These are ready to eat, so you will be cutting the tops off and dipping that crusty bread. Harbison also makes a wonderful mac & cheese for the fancy pants in us all!

 

Green Hill Camembert, Georgia, pasteurized, cow – 18.99/lb.

As a staunch camembert lover, I was pleasantly surprised in the delicate and subtle interpretation of a “camembert” Sweet Grass Dairy has attempted. Delicate in the fact that the pate is very creamy, almost double cream like, spreading easily. Subtle in that the vegetal notes are on the back end and there is definitely a sweet aftertaste that lets you know this was made from grass fed jersey milk. This cheese is a constant companion to sparklers, acidic whites and floral pinks. Try this with a scratch cranberry sauce and some turkey, nom nom nom!

 

Looking for that cheese to take to a party? Would really like to set it and forget it as you make your way to the food? These host gift worthy items will sure get you invited to the next feast!

 

St. Albans, Vermont, pasteurized, cow – $7.99 ea. Verified Non GMO!!

Allison has done it again, her interpretation of  the classic French St. Marcellin. St. Albans is lactic,  bready and gooey. It even comes in a lovely crock, so no cheese is left behind on the board!  Goes great with a light bodied white, Belgian / Flemish whites.

 

St. Andre, France, pasteurized, cow – $7.99

Delightful triple cream, it’s perfect with fruit, pie or just on a nice crusty bread.

 

Le Pommier Camembert, France, pasteurized, cow- $8.99

Classic camembert, it’s not raw but boy does it eat as if it was! The traditional vegetal, woodsy, sweet cream, toast are all present in this cheese. This is ready to eat the moment you select it from the shelf. Do not miss out on this cheese.  It’s my all-time favorite camembert.  The left overs are great on the after turkey day quiche or sandwich. Gobble, gobble, gobble!

cheese

Filed Under: Blog, Cheese Notes, El Cerrito Store, Events, Holiday Tips, Thanksgiving Tagged With: Cheese, Holidays

NEW cheeses from Prairie Fruit Farms!

June 17, 2016 by WineAndBeer

PrairieFruitFarmCheese2

Filed Under: Blog, Cheese Notes, El Cerrito Store, News, Organic farming, Sustainability

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El Cerrito: 8:30am to 8:30pm, seven days a week
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EL CERRITO STORE
10367 San Pablo Ave.
(510) 526-1155
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EL CERRITO ANNEX
10367 San Pablo Ave.
(510) 526-5150
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1336 Gilman St.
(510) 526-2456
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