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His first time tasting Stilton, British poet G.K. Chesterton described it as a "graceful, tall green volcano rising in power." The experience left him so overwhelmed, he actually wrote a poem called Sonnet to a Stilton Cheese. Strange? Not really, according to Nick Black of Vancouver’s Concerto Marketing. He claims that our love affair with cheese is so intimate that our choices actually reveal our personalities.
We take cheese so personally, Black says, because it’s one of the only "living" (containing active microorganisms) foods that we eat. It gains character as it ages, like humans do. It’s shaped by culture, like we are. Basically, it can be seen as a metaphor for human development.
Black bases his theory on a 2006 Australian study he conducted using morphological psychology, the study of everyday life. Created in 1963 by Wilhelm Saber at the University of Cologne, it identifies the subconscious methods we use to cope, eating being one key behaviour. Black discovered particular correlations when it came to cheese: for instance, those with European backgrounds who were deemed emotionally mature by the study liked cheeses with similar characteristics, preferring washed-rind varieties, bold blues and aged cheddars. Not only that, study participants were passionately loyal to their cheese types and actually offended if those close to them didn’t share their preferences.
Here in the West, statistics say we’re scarfing processed cheese and cubing cheddar most prolifically. But we’ve selected five Western cheeses with distinct flavours that are not only delicious-they’re potential
windows on the soul. Take our personality taste test and see.
Poplar Grove Tiger Blue
(Naramata, B.C.)
Personality Complex, sharp and wealthy characters who take pride in accomplishments like blue cheese. Flavour Sweet, salty and mellow.
Texture Semi-soft, creamy.
Accompaniments A side of figs-
and a soupçon of humility.
Find it Poplar Grove, 250-492-4575, poplargrove.ca/cheese
Also at Les Amis du Fromage, 1752 West 2nd Ave., Vancouver, 604-732-4218; 843 E Hastings, Vancouver, 604-253-4218; 518 Park Royal South, West Vancouver, 604-925-4218; buycheese
.com; Charelli’s Delicatessen and Cheese Shop, 2863 Foul Bay Rd.,
Victoria, 250-598-4794, charellis.com.
The Farm House Natural Cheeses Brie (Agassiz, B.C.)
Personality Disciplined individuals who save special items for extraordinary occasions love brie.
Flavour Mushroom, hints of truffle. Texture Smooth, chalky and creamy. Accompaniments Sleeves of craft-brewed fruit beer and a toast to the new job/grandchild/house/retiree.
Find it The Farm House Natural Cheeses, 604-796-8741, farm
housecheeses.com
Also at Whole Foods Markets and Capers, 2285 West 4 Ave., Vancouver, 604-739-6676; 510 W 8th Ave., Vancouver, 778-370-4210; 1675 Robson St., Vancouver, 604-687-5288; 925 Main St., West Vancouver, 604-678-0500;
wholefoodsmarket.com.
Salt Spring Island Cheese Basil Chèvre (Salt Spring Island, B.C.)
Personality Organized and sometimes even considered controlling, the connoisseur who prefers chèvre values quality over quantity.
Flavour Sharp, tart, hints of basil. Texture Spreadable.
Accompaniments Fresh bagels, lox and a little flexibility.
Find it Salt Spring Island Cheese,
250-653-2300, saltspringcheese.com
Also at Safeway, Vancouver and Victoria, safeway.com; Janice Beaton Fine Cheese, Calgary, see above; Paddy’s International Cheese Market, 12509 102 Ave. NW, Edmonton, 780-413-0367.
Sylvan Star Cheese Extra Aged Gouda (Red Deer, Alberta)
Personality A gouda lover is discerning and open to atypical experiences. Flavour Strong bite, nutty.
Texture Firm.
Accompaniments A loaf of rustic bread and tickets for a farm-stay
working holiday.
Find it sylvanstarcheese.ca
Bothwell Farms’ Old Vines Foch Red Wine-Aged Cheddar
(New Bothwell, Manitoba)
Personality Adventurous, but likes the familiar. Those who love cheddar play it safe.
Flavour Intense.
Texture Buttery to flaky.
Accompaniments Sprinkle grated cheese on top of grilled beef tenderloin.
Find It Bothwell Cheese, w04-388-4666, bothwellcheese.com
Also at Safeway and Sobeys stores. wl
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CHEESE STOPS
Two new resturants that go past the traditional cheese cart to make the fromage the focus of a great meal.
Au Petit Chavignol Alice and Allison Spurell’s Les Amis du Fromage has been the purveyor of choice in Vancouver for some time. Now they’ve partnered with Joe Chaput to open this hopping wine and cheese spot on a heritage block in East Vancouver. 845 East Hastings,
604-255-4218, aupetitchavignol.com
Farm Cheese buying in Calgary is measured in two ways: B.J.B. (Before Janice Beaton) and A.J.B. (you get the idea). Now her cheese empire includes the newly opened Farm, which pairs wicked cheese selections with charcuterie, small plates and plenty of wines by the glass. 1006 17 Ave. SW, 403-245-2276,
farm-restaurant.com
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