by Kirstin Jackson, Cheese Expert for the Menuism Cheese Blog
Cheese, if you haven't noticed yet, is making headlines. And titles. Our artisan cheese culture is the most vibrant it's been in decades, and there's no lack of people who want to taste and read about its many delights, nuances, and history. It's an exciting cheese world out there, dairy girls and boys, and there are a plethora of books that explore its magnitude. So put down that slice of Alpine-style, pasture-fed raw milk cheese that's only made from April to October for long enough to pick up one of these reads. Reconsider that slice with one of these books in hand, and you'll feel closer to that fermented milk than you ever imagined you would.
The following are a few of my favorite Cheese Lit books. When I say "lit," I mean, well,... non-fiction or memoir styles. I've skipped the guidebooks and tutorials this time in favor of books focusing on odes to cheese, history, politics, and homages. These guys may be consulted for some general advice, but they're overall better for cuddling up with for a good read (cat or dog at feet optional). Cheese guides to come!
Books For Cheese Lovers
Related Links from the Menuism Cheese Blog:
• Cheese for the Lactose-Intolerant
• Great Dessert Cheeses
• And They Called Them Stinky: Stinky Cheese
Cheese Lit: Books for the Cheese-Obsessed originally published on the Menuism Cheese Blog.
Kirstin Jackson is a professionally trained cook, wine bar manager and cheese program director, food and wine writer, consultant, and instructor, whose fridge and head is almost entirely consumed with cheese. Her first book "It's Not You, It's Brie: Unwrapping America's Unique Culture of Cheese," is due out November 2012. Her cheese blog, "It's Not You, It's Brie," was launched in April 2009, and has since received accolades from Blogs.com, Foodista, and Apartment Therapy's The Kitchen.