What is Dirt Lover Cheese? The Taste of Tradition from Missouri
Dirt Lover Cheese, a proud specialty from Green Dirt Farm in Missouri, is an exquisite culinary delight embodying tradition’s taste. This American cheese, crafted in the style of French ash-coated varieties like Selles-sur-Cher and Valençay, boasts a bloomy rind and a rich, buttery flavor profile.
Despite its subtle mushroom scent, this sheep’s milk cheese surprises with a bold earthy taste that’s nutty and tangy. Coated in vegetable ash, a centuries-old technique to control acidity, Dirt Lover offers a tartness that’s balanced by the light, lemony notes of its interior.
Quick Facts About Dirt Lover Cheese
| Fact Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Origin | Weston, Missouri, USA |
| Producer | Green Dirt Farm |
| Type | Soft-ripened, ash-coated sheep’s milk cheese |
| Milk Source | 100% sheep’s milk |
| Texture | Creamy and smooth |
| Flavor Profile | Earthy, tangy, with a hint of lemon |
| Rind | Vegetable ash rind |
| Aging Period | 2-3 weeks |
| Shape | Small wheel |
| Pairing Suggestions | Light-bodied red wines, stout beers, fresh fruits, honey |
| Awards | ‘Best in Class’ at the 2016 World Championship Cheese Contest |
| Availability | All year round |
| Serving Suggestions | Great for cheese boards, salads, or melted over vegetables |
What is Dirt Lover Cheese?
Dirt Lover Cheese is a unique, artisanal creation hailing from the heartland of America in Weston, Missouri. This exceptional cheese is the brainchild of Green Dirt Farm, a producer dedicated to sustainable farming and superior-quality dairy products.
Unlike your typical cheddar or mozzarella, Dirt Lover Cheese is a soft-ripened, ash-coated sheep’s milk cheese. Its distinctive ash rind lends it an earthy appeal that differentiates it from other cheeses. The taste is a delightful revelation – an intriguing blend of earthy, tangy notes with a hint of lemon. It’s a flavor profile that lingers pleasantly on the palate, inviting you to savor each bite.
The texture of Dirt Lover Cheese is creamy and smooth, a testament to its 100% sheep’s milk foundation. It’s carefully aged for 2-3 weeks, during which it develops its characteristic flavor and texture. Shaped like a small wheel, this cheese is as visually appealing as it is delicious.
Dirt Lover Cheese isn’t just unique; it’s award-winning! It clinched ‘Best in Class’ at the 2016 World Championship Cheese Contest. This cheese is available all year round, making it a versatile addition to any cheese lover’s collection.
Whether paired with light-bodied red wines, stout beers, fresh fruits or honey, Dirt Lover Cheese shines. It’s great for cheese boards or salads, and can even be melted over vegetables for a gourmet treat. With its unique qualities and versatile applications, Dirt Lover Cheese is a true culinary delight that every cheese enthusiast should experience.
What Does Dirt Lover Cheese Taste Like?
Dirt Lover Cheese is a unique cheese with a flavor profile that’s rich, earthy, and complex. Despite the absence of a strong mushroom smell, this cheese boasts an earthy taste that’s both rich and buttery. It has a nutty undertone that enhances its overall flavor.
As Dirt Lover ages, it develops a more intense flavor. The buttery, earthy taste becomes stronger and is complemented by a citrusy tang. Some even describe the taste as having beefy notes, adding another layer to its intricate flavor composition.
The texture of Dirt Lover Cheese is buttery, and it has a mushroomy taste that adds to its uniqueness. As it matures, its earthy tones become more prominent, making it even more flavorful and complex. The cheese also has a hint of lemon, giving it a cheery zest and balancing its rich flavors.
Dirt Lover Cheese Tasting Notes
- Texture: Creamy and smooth, buttery consistency.
- Flavor: Rich and complex with a dominant earthy taste.
- Undertones: Nutty undertones that enhance the overall flavor.
- Maturity: As it ages, the cheese develops a more intense, beefy flavor.
- Citrusy Tang: A hint of lemon zest balances the rich flavors.
- Rind: The vegetable ash rind adds to its earthy appeal.
- Pairing: Pairs well with light-bodied red wines, stout beers, honey, and fresh fruits.
- Serving Suggestions: Great addition to cheese boards, salads, or melted over vegetables.
- Awards: ‘Best in Class’ at the 2016 World Championship Cheese Contest.
- Availability: Available all year round.
10 Best Dirt Lover Cheese Substitutes
| Substitute | Description |
|---|---|
| Humboldt Fog | This goat cheese has a similar vegetable ash rind and a creamy texture that can mimic Dirt Lover. It also has a tangy flavor with floral notes. |
| Selles-sur-Cher | A French goat cheese with a distinctive ash rind and a slightly nutty flavor. It is less earthy but can serve as a suitable replacement. |
| Valençay | Another French cheese made of goat’s milk with an ash rind, offering a similar texture and tanginess. |
| Sainte Maure de Touraine | A French goat cheese with a cylindrical shape and an ash coating. Its creamy texture and slightly nutty flavor can mimic Dirt Lover. |
| Crottin de Chavignol | This French goat cheese is less creamy but offers similar earthy and nutty flavors. |
| Bûcheron | A semi-aged goat cheese from France with a bloomy rind and a tangy flavor, it can provide a similar taste experience. |
| Chabichou du Poitou | This French cheese is made from goat’s milk and has a slightly crumbly texture. The flavor is less earthy but still tangy. |
| Bonne Bouche | An American goat cheese with an ash rind and a creamy texture. It has a mild, fresh flavor with a hint of pepper. |
| Monte Enebro | A Spanish goat cheese with a strong and complex flavor. It’s less earthy but offers a similar tangy taste. |
| Pouligny-Saint-Pierre | A French goat cheese with a pyramid shape and an ash rind. It has a nutty flavor that can replace Dirt Lover’s unique taste. |
What Pairs Well With Dirt Lover Cheese?
| Category | Pairings |
|---|---|
| Wines | Light-bodied red wines like Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay |
| Beers | Stout beers, Belgian ales, Wheat beers |
| Fruits | Apples, Pears, Berries, Figs |
| Breads | Baguette, Walnut bread, Olive bread |
| Meats | Prosciutto, Salami, Soppressata |
| Condiments | Honey, Fig Jam, Mustard |
| Nuts | Almonds, Walnuts, Pecans |
| Other Cheeses | Brie, Camembert, Roquefort |
| Vegetables | Arugula, Spinach, Roasted Bell Peppers |
Also read: Best Wine and Cheese Pairings: The Ultimate Guide
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