Cheese, Its Thousands of Different Flavors

Actress Shim Eun-Ha dips a diced baguette in melted cheese. It is one scene in TV`s commercial advertising of refrigerator. Baguette dipped in melted cheese is a traditional Swiss food called `fondue.` It originated from the French word `fondre,` which means `melt.`

As more people travel to Europe, taste bud for cheese becomes more fastidious. American style `Slice cheese` no longer seems to satisfy people`s sophisticated taste bud. Food corners in the department stores demonstrate various cheeses luring connoisseurs.

- Brie: Brie, soft cheese, is named after a place nearby Paris in France. It is called `queen of cheese` with dairy fat of 45 %. The texture is soft and is covered with white membrane. The inside color is either yellow or ivory. Brie cheeses go well with red wine. The price of `Brie President 50%` is 14,200 won per 250 gram. The price of `Petty Brie` is 6200 won per 125 gram.

- Camembert: It is a representative French cheese. Camembert cheeses are produced in Normandy area. They are made from fresh cow milk. Their flavor ranges from strong to mild taste. They are smooth and semi-soft in texture with white and velvety rinds. The price of `Camembert President` is 11,800 won per 250 gram.

- Bleu: Bleu cheese is marbled with a bluish-mold. Bleu cheeses are pungent, sharp, and peppery to taste. French Roquefort, made from sheep milk, and Italy`s Gorgonzola are popular. They are good with wine or beer. The price of `Bleu Valmont` is 12,500 won per 150 gram.

- Mozzarella: Mozzarella is often called `pizza cheese.` It originated in southern Italy.

Its texture is chewy covered with light ivory. They go well with salads or crackers. The price of this cheese is 4,900 won per 125 gram.

- Emmental: It originated in German speaking region in Switzerland and is called `Swiss cheese.` This cheese has sweet and special flavors with pea to walnut sized holes. It has a nickname of `Tom & Jerry`. It can be used as `fondue` if it is melted. The price is 300 won per 10 gram.

- Gruyere: It originated in Switzerland. They are pungent and sharp. They are firm with yellow appearance. They go well with ham, salami, and fruit. They can be used as `fondue` as well. The price is 350 won per 10 gram.

- Parmesan: Because they are hard, they are used as power after being grounded. They have both salty and sweet flavors. The price is 470 won per 10 gram.

- Fondue: Switzerland originated `fondue cheese` can be easily used after being boiled. The price is 16,000 per 400 gram. (Advice: Paik Chang-Hyun, director of the imported food corner at Lotte Department Store)

Park Joong-Hyun sanjuck@donga.com