Cheese In A Box

Cheese Knowledge

Discover everything about artisanal cheese

·4 min read

Mont d’Or or Vacherin Mont-d’Or: the difference between French and Swiss

Mont d’Or and Vacherin Mont-d’Or look identical: a creamy cheese in a round wooden box, available only in winter. Still, they’re two different AOP cheeses from two different countries. Here’s how to tell them apart.

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·5 min read

Sheep cheese, goat cheese and cow’s milk cheese: the difference in taste and origin

Why does Roquefort taste so different from Gouda and Chèvre? The choice of milk determines almost everything: fat content, protein, flavor and texture. We compare sheep cheese, goat cheese and cow’s milk cheese side by side.

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·5 min read

Crystals in cheese: why aged cheese crunches when you bite into it

Those crunchy white crystals in aged cheese aren’t a flaw; they’re a sign of patient aging. Discover what they are and which cheeses you’ll find them in.

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·5 min read

What is 20+ cheese? Flavor, uses and why lighter doesn’t have to mean bland

20+ cheese has a lower fat content, but that doesn’t mean it has to be bland. Discover the flavor, how it compares to 48+, and when to reach for a lighter cheese.

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·5 min read

Raw milk cheese vs. pasteurized cheese: the flavor difference

Raw milk cheese tastes different from pasteurized, and that difference starts with the milk itself. We walk you through how raw milk shapes the flavor, using farmhouse cheese as a classic example.

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·5 min read

Dutch goat cheese versus French chèvre: what’s the difference

French chèvre and Dutch goat cheese come from the same milk, but are completely different cheeses. In this guide, you’ll learn about the differences in flavor, aging and how to use them.

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·5 min read

What is Noord-Hollands cheese? Origin, PDO status and flavor

Noord-Hollandse cheese is a PDO-protected Gouda from the Noord-Hollandse pasture region. Discover its origin, aging stages, flavor and how it differs from regular Gouda.

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·4 min read

What is aged cheese? Ripening, flavor and serving tips

Aged cheese has ripened for at least ten months, delivering a full, spicy flavor with characteristic crystals. Discover the flavor differences, the aging process and the best pairings.

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·5 min read

What is herb cheese? Types, flavors and serving tips

Herb cheese is a Dutch cheese with herbs or spices added during production. Discover the most popular varieties, their flavor, and the best ways to serve them.

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·4 min read

What is young cheese? Flavor, aging and serving tips

Young cheese ripens for four weeks and has a soft, creamy flavor. Discover its origin, aging process and best serving tips.

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·4 min read

What is cumin cheese? Origin, flavor and serving tips

Cumin cheese is a Dutch cheese studded with whole cumin seeds for a warm, spiced accent. Discover its origin, the flavor differences between Leiden cheese and clove cheese, and the best serving tips.

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·5 min read

What is washed-rind cheese? The washed rind explained

What exactly is washed-rind cheese? Washed-rind cheese is cheese whose rind is regularly washed with brine, beer, wine or spirits during the aging process. This washing encourages a red-orange bacterial flora to develop on the rind, giving the cheese its characteristic color, bold aroma and full, creamy flavor. Well-known washed-rind cheeses include Époisses, Taleggio and […]

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·4 min read

What is mature cheese? Aging, flavor and serving tips

Mature cheese has aged for 16 to 18 weeks, combining a full flavor with a smooth texture. Discover how mature cheese is made, how it differs from semi-mature and extra mature, and how to serve it at its best.

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·5 min read

What is grass-fed cheese? Flavor, season and origin of the first summer cheese

Grass-fed cheese is the first cheese of the cheese year, made from the first pasture milk of May and June. Discover its flavor, origin, how it differs from other young cheeses, and how best to serve it.

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·4 min read

What is cheddar? A British original with many faces

Cheddar is a British hard cow’s milk cheese from Somerset, distinguished by its unique cheddaring process and a ripening range from smooth and young to crumbly and vintage. Discover its origin, flavor profile, why it can be orange, and how to serve it at its best.

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·4 min read

What is Passendale cheese? A Belgian classic with a red rind

Passendale is a classic Belgian semi-hard cheese with a red rind and a mild, creamy flavor. Discover its origin, flavor profile, whether the rind is edible, and the best ways to serve it.

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·4 min read

A little cheese in the evening: how it helps you sleep better

A small piece of cheese before bed can improve your sleep. We explain how tryptophan, melatonin and calcium work together, and which cheeses fit best into your evening routine.

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·5 min read

Gouda or Noord-Hollands cheese: what’s the difference?

Gouda and Noord-Hollands cheese look similar, but they’re not the same. We break down what sets them apart, from soil and milk to PDO status and flavor.

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·4 min read

What is Mont d’Or? Everything about the French winter cheese in a wooden box

Mont d’Or is a creamy French winter cheese that comes in a spruce wood box. Read all about its origin, season, production and the best serving tips.

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·9 min read

What is Manchego? The Spanish sheep’s cheese explained

Manchego is more than a tapas classic: a centuries-old PDO sheep’s cheese from La Mancha. Learn about its origin, ageing stages and how best to serve it.

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·8 min read

What is roquefort? The French blue cheese from the Combalou caves

Roquefort is the iconic French blue cheese, made from raw sheep’s milk and ripened in the Combalou caves. History, production, pairings and pregnancy advice.

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·9 min read

What is camembert?

What is camembert, what’s the difference with brie, and can you eat it during pregnancy? Discover this iconic French white-rind cheese from Normandy.

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·8 min read

What is brie?

What exactly is brie, what’s the difference between camembert, and can you eat it during pregnancy? Discover everything about this French white-rind cheese and how to serve it perfectly.

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·7 min read

What is feta?

What exactly is feta, why does it have a PDO designation from Greece, and is it safe to eat during pregnancy? Discover the difference between real feta and ‘white cheese in brine’.

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·8 min read

What is burrata?

What is burrata, how does it differ from mozzarella, and what’s inside that creamy filling? Discover this Italian fresh cheese from Puglia, along with classic and modern pairings.

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·7 min read

What is mozzarella?

What is mozzarella, what’s the difference between Mozzarella di Bufala and Fior di Latte, and can you eat it during pregnancy? Discover everything about this Italian fresh cheese.

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·7 min read

What is Grana Padano?

What is Grana Padano, and how does it differ from Parmigiano Reggiano? Discover this Italian hard cheese and order artisanal alternatives at Cheese In A Box.

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·7 min read

What is gorgonzola?

What is gorgonzola, what’s the difference between Dolce and Piccante, and can you eat it during pregnancy? Discover this Italian blue cheese at CIAB.

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·7 min read

What is pecorino?

What is pecorino, what varieties are there, and how does it differ from Parmesan? Discover everything about this Italian sheep cheese and order artisanal pecorino from CIAB.

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·7 min read

What is Parmesan cheese?

What is Parmesan cheese, how is it made, and what’s the difference between Parmesan and Grana Padano? Discover all the varieties and order artisanal Parmigiano Reggiano from CIAB.

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·4 min read

Ordering goat cheese online: how to choose the best

Want to order goat cheese online? Discover what to look for, from raw milk to aging, and order fresh, artisanal goat cheese from Cheese In A Box.

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·6 min read

What is goat cheese?

Goat cheese is a world of its own: lighter to digest, fresher in flavor, and a staple of European cheese tradition for thousands of years. Read all about the different varieties, health benefits, pregnancy, and serving tips.

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·4 min read

What is Jersey cheese? Flavor, origin and serving tips

Jersey cheese is made from the milk of Jersey cows, one of the oldest and smallest dairy breeds in the world. Their milk is exceptionally rich in fat and protein, which gives the cheese a remarkably full, creamy flavor and a naturally golden-yellow color. Discover the taste, origin, and the best ways to serve Jersey cheese.

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·4 min read

Fresh cheese by mail: how we keep it delicious

Fresh cheese delivered by mail? At Cheese In A Box, every cheese is freshly cut and shipped chilled. Discover how it works and which cheeses travel best.

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·4 min read

What is truffle cheese? Flavor, varieties and how to serve it

Truffle cheese combines creamy or firm cheese with the earthy flavor of black truffle. Read all about the different varieties, taste, serving tips and storage.

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·4 min read

What is Emmentaler? The Swiss cheese with the famous holes

Emmentaler cheese: the iconic Swiss hard cheese with large round holes. Read everything about its origin, flavor, how those holes form, and the best ways to serve Emmentaler.

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·4 min read

Ordering Noord-Hollands cheese: from farm to letterbox

When you think of truly Dutch cheese, Noord-Hollandse kaas is a name you can’t skip. Not because it’s the most well-known, but because it’s arguably the most special. Aged on the rich pasture milk from Noord-Holland, protected by European law, and available in varieties ranging from young to extra-aged. And the best part? You can […]

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·4 min read

Ordering foreign cheese in the Netherlands: from Brie to Brunost

Which international cheeses can you order online? From French Brie and Comté to Norwegian brunost and English Stilton. Discover the full range at Cheese In A Box.

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·4 min read

Cheese subscription or one-time order: which one suits you?

Cheese is one of the most beloved products in the Netherlands, and luckily there are plenty of ways to get the best varieties delivered to your door. But what do you go for: a cheese subscription or just ordering individual items? That depends on what kind of cheese lover you are. In this article, we […]

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·3 min read

Norwegian brown cheese: everything about brunost, gjetost, and Gudbrandsdalen

Have you ever tried a slice of brown cheese? In Norway it’s completely normal, but for many Dutch people brunost is still uncharted territory. This unique cheese with its caramel-like flavor and distinctive brown color deserves a spot on your bread board. In this article, we’ll tell you everything about Norwegian brown cheese, the different […]

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·4 min read

Cheese on the BBQ: which cheeses can you grill?

Cheese on the BBQ: which cheeses can you grill? The moment the barbecue fires up, you think of meat, fish and vegetables. But cheese? Absolutely. Grilled cheese is one of the best things you can make on the BBQ, if you know which cheeses to use. Because not every cheese survives the heat. In this […]

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·4 min read

The perfect spring picnic with cheese

The perfect spring picnic with cheese The first warm days are here, and that means only one thing: picnic time. A blanket in the park, a good glass of wine and, of course, a generous selection of cheese. But which cheeses should you bring? And how do you keep everything tasting its best? In this […]

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·4 min read

Cheese and asparagus: the best pairings

Cheese and asparagus: the tastiest combinations It’s almost that time again: asparagus season is just around the corner. From mid-April through June 24, all of the Netherlands goes wild for those gorgeous white spears (and rightly so). But did you know that cheese and asparagus are an absolute dream combination? Whether you go for white […]

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·3 min read

White-rind cheese: varieties, flavor and the best pairings

White-rind cheese is instantly recognizable by its soft, white rind. From creamy brie to intense camembert: discover which varieties exist, how they taste, and how to serve them at their best.

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·3 min read

What is Shropshire Blue? The British blue-veined cheese with an orange hue

Shropshire Blue is a remarkable British blue-veined cheese, known for its striking orange color and creamy, tangy flavor. Read on to discover its origin, taste profile, and the best ways to serve it.

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·4 min read

What does 20+ cheese mean? Everything about fat content in cheese

The fat percentage on cheese (20+, 30+, 48+) tells you something about the flavor, not about how fattening it is. Find out what those plus numbers mean and which cheese suits you best.

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·3 min read

How to make cheese fondue: tips for the perfect fondue

A great cheese fondue comes down to the right cheeses, the right ratio, and a little patience. Here are the tips that make all the difference.

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·3 min read

Brunost: everything you need to know about Norway’s brown cheese

Brunost isn’t cheese as you know it. It’s sweet, caramel-like and unmistakably Scandinavian. Discover this remarkable product and how to eat it.

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·3 min read

Ordering farmhouse cheese online: how to pick the best

Want to order farmhouse cheese online? Find out what to look for and which ripeness suits you best. Freshly cut farmhouse cheese, delivered chilled by Cheese In A Box.

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·3 min read

Having cheese delivered as a gift: the best options

Cheese as a gift might not be the first thing that comes to mind, but for many people it’s one of the best things you can give. Especially if they love special flavors, enjoying good food with friends, or just appreciate quality eating. When you order cheese online from Cheese In A Box, you also get […]

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