Continuing my walk on F Street in Washington DC, I was pleasantly surprised to see San Francisco’s favorite artisan cheese shop, Cowgirl Creamery.
I didn’t know whether to jump for joy or groan in agony. You see, I love cheese. I regretted not being able to go to Cowgirl Creamery at the Ferry Plaza in San Francisco because I was short on time. I was in agony because I was so full from lunch at Rasika that I couldn’t try a single piece of cheese.
Entering the store was like entering a chocolate store. I wanted everything. The only difference is I know what chocolates I want – 72% dark chocolate with or without orange bits. Easy peasy. But cheese is another matter. I love ’em all. From blue cheese, Gruyere, Manchego, Gouda, Comte, mild, strong, runny and even stinky. So how on earth was I to going to choose?
All descriptions are from Cowgirl Creamery’s Library of Cheese and are there to help you drool.
Mimolette extra vieille
Dyed with the annatto seed, Mimolette is aged for at least two years during which time it develops a chewy texture and a smoky, almost bacon-like flavor.
18 month Cave-Aged Gruyere $23.45/lb
Cabot clothbound cheddar
On some occasions, the wheels even bare a certain likeness to the classic savory and sweet flavors found in Parmesan. With its incredible consistency and snappy bite, Cabot Clothbound has garnered many awards and national recognition, making it perhaps the best known cheddar of its kind in the United States.
Midnight Moon cheese
A goat’s milk Gouda made in Holland. Dense and chewy, Midnight Moon is aged for at least one year, during which time it develops a lovely brown butter flavor with intense caramel undertones.
soft cheeses and creme fraiche
L’Amuse signature gouda $28.45/lb
Made in the Netherlands with milk from Holstein Friesians it is then aged for two years. The aroma shows roasted notes of hazelnut and caramel. It is always creamy with slightly salty, nutty notes and a very deep, complex, long finish.
The store carries their own award winning cheeses as well as cheeses from around the world.
Mt Tam $25.95/lb
Cowgirl Creamery named its signature cheese MT TAM. It’s a smooth, creamy, elegant, 10-oz, triple-cream – made with tasty organic milk from the Straus Family Dairy. MT TAM is firm, yet buttery with a mellow, earthy flavor reminiscent of white mushrooms.
Challerhocker $31.45/lb
Dense and creamy, Challerhocker tastes like a harmonious medley of melted leeks, brown butter and sweet cream. Savory flavors with a bit of caramel sweetness in the finish makes this an ideal cheese for the colder months.
They also have everything you need for a cheese board – crackers, jams, chutneys, fig paste and so many more.
Why, they even serve sandwiches, salads and drinks!
I did buy a couple of wedges of Truffle Tremor cheese at the San Francisco Airport Terminal 2’s Napa Farms Market. La and I ate it with crackers and wine. It had an obvious truffle scent and taste. Quite unique and delicious!
Truffle Tremor
The flavor of truffle comes through in this velvety goat milk cheese. The earthiness of the truffles combined with a creamery texture makes for another distinctive cheese from Cypress Grove.
You’ve seen the pictures and read the descriptions. Which ones would you buy? What’s your favorite kind of cheese?
Cowgirl Creamery Cheese Shop
919 F Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20004
telephone (202) 393-6880
Open Monday through Friday 7:30am to 7pm;
Saturday 11am to 7 pm;
Closed on Sunday
Shoot First Eat Later 