Every batch is a snowflake...
Variation is both a beauty and a challenge in cheesemaking, and this is especially true when making products from raw milk, which has normal day-to-day fluctuations that aren't wiped out by pasteurization. There is a joy in tasting the difference between two batches of the same cheese, whether it's subtle changes in texture, flavor, or appearance. On the other hand, as a consumer it can be confusing (even disappointing) to buy cheese and have it taste different than what you expected based on your last purchase. Our goal is to tread this delicate line - delivering a consistent, hand-made product that's always delicious, even if there are some small variations from batch to batch (sometimes piece to piece) that make each wheel a unique snowflake.
This week we have a batch of Bayley Hazen Blue with some truly delicious but very different flavors! Made on August 21st, this cheese has the typical sweet-but-savory richness of Bayley, the same dusty grey rind and an awesome fudgy, creamy texture. The difference comes in the form of pronounced vegetal flavors: brassica vegetables like cauliflower & brussels sprouts, caramelized onion, mushrooms. For lack of a better word, it tastes very French.
Want to taste a snowflake? This week the Bayley Hazen Blue we're shipping will come from this unique batch, while our small supply lasts. We'll insert a card with our tasting notes for the batch, so we don't catch anyone off guard. We hope you'll enjoy it as much as we do!
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