So, I’ve been in Spain for about 6 months now and I’m just not finding any cheese worth writing about. Manchego seems to be about the best cheese produced here. I’m off to France in a couple of weeks… perhaps there. Send me suggestions!
Good lord! Is it really an entire YEAR since I last wrote about cheese? It is!
Well, I want to weakly say that my excuse is that I’ve moved to a different country, I didn’t have a decent camera, etc., but, no excuse. I am currently in Spain for 5 months where the cheese is, well, ok. I haven’t found anything stunning just yet but about to start exploring seriously.
UPDATE (Dec 2012) I was just doing a little bit of research about this cheese, and, um, it was from a can??? (see links below: ). The cheese I tasted at that party last year was not in a can, but I suppose it COULD have been at some point? It’s made at Washington State University, and I did taste this in Portland, Oregon, so it seems to make sense that it is the same cheese.. but … a can? Either way, it stood out as a delicious cheddar and I did find later that this cheddar does get sold in individual wedges at some locations.
So, the moral of the tale is to never be afraid of cheese in a can.
ORIGINAL POST (Dec. 2011)
Sorry.. no photo right now. I’m at a party and tried this one and it’s a perfect cheddar… not overly crumbly or pasty with a sharp salty flavor, small casein crystals and a hint of onion.
Flesh is a buttery yellow in color with no rind. More later when I get a chance to research.
If you like cheddar style this is a great choice.
$25.99/lb at Zupans
More Reading:
http://www.pnwcheese.com/2009/04/wsu-cougar-gold.html
http://public.wsu.edu/~creamery/1flavors.html#cougargold

This cheese is awesome! Sharp, salty firm cheese from Trader Joe’s .. no idea who makes the cheese or where TJs gets it from but it’s lovely. The flavour reminds me of parmesan in terms of it’s saltiness but it’s creamier and not as hard as parmesan. Afew casein crystals sprinkled here and there ..always enjoyable and then a peppery coating to add a little spice.
Couldn’t stop eating it.
And it’s cheap! $8/lb. Get thyself to TJs cheese lovers!
Quick facts:
Pasteurized cows milk
Natural enzymes
