What kind of Cheese do you like?

Moist or dry, soft or hard, sharp or mild—cheese is glorious. That something so essential as milk can be transformed into so many expressions of tradition, place, and culture—is both wondrous and compelling. And while there are seemingly an infinite variety of cheeses in the world, there is but one thing you really need to know: What kind of cheese do you like?

Red Hawk – a washed rind tripple cream from Cowgirl Creamery – is luscious and organic.

Cheddar? Blue? Triple Cream? Stinky? Aged or Fresh? We carry around 120 cheeses from Europe and the U.S. Like good produce, cheese is seasonal, so our selection changes regularly. There will always be something new for you to taste when you come to the shop. If you are looking for a particular cheese, stop by, call or drop us an e-mail. For cheese lovers beyond driving range, we are happy to ship cheese within the Pacific Northwest.

While we carry the classic European varieties, about one-third of our cheese is from closer to home. When it comes to flavor and quality, American cheese makers are standing shoulder to shoulder with their European counterparts. There are extraordinary cheeses being made on farms and in creameries all over this country including many from right here in the Pacific Northwest. Stop in and let us introduce you to these exquisite products. (Below we have sampling of some of our favorite cow’s, sheep’s, and goat’s milk cheeses.)

Photos taken using the Hubble Space Telescope recently clarified that the moon is not made of green cheese. It is made of Mimolette.

In the shop, virtually all of our cheese may be sampled before your purchase. Try as many as you like! We are ready to help guide you through the case and to share the story behind the rind. Of course, all of our cheese is cut and wrapped to order, so you may buy as little or as much as you want.

Want to learn more about cheese? We offer classes, an online primer, a cheese feature, and our own Cheese (B)Log.

Try This A Recent Pick from The Cheese (B)Log

Pre-Order Your Holiday Cheese Tray

Need help with your next party or gathering? Foster & Dobbs' prix fixe cheese trays come ready to serve and complete with condiments. Delicious, beautiful, easy, and affordable...
Read More »

Some Recent Loves

Cow's Milk

Cashel Blue: Very creamy and voluptuous, with mild tangy blueing. This slightly salty, minerally blue is made from the Fresian cow milk on the Grubb family farm in Tiperrary, Ireland. Vegetarian rennet. Neal's Yard select. (Pasteurized)
Gubbeen: Sweet and milky, this fine cheese has a rich full flavor. Beneath the pungent rind is a fruity, delicious paste. Vegetarian rennet. (Pasteurized.)
Tomini in Truffle Infused Oilmte: Delicate young cow's milk tomini marinated in a truffle infused oil. Creamy & smooth, tangy and earthy, terrific to use as on bruschetta or atop a salad. (Pasteurized)
Trailhead Tomme: Similar to the tommes from the French Alps, with a firm texture and a complex, nutty sweetness. Perhaps a little shy at first, this cheese is engaging and alluring once you get to know it. From Mount Townsend Creamery in Washington. (Raw milk)

Cow's Milk

Berkswell: Rich and savory, this sheep's milk cheese has notes of browned butter, caramel, and a pleasant saltiness. A toasty, slightly gamey aroma and an addictive yumminess. Vegetarian Rennet. Neal's Yard Select. (Raw milk)
Nocino: Herbacious, nutty and savory, this lovely pecorino is wrapped and aged in walnut leaves which give it a delicate earthiness. Smooth texture and rich mouth feel. Pair it with a bold red wine. (Raw milk)
Pecorino di Remo: This young pecorino has a saline freshness and grassy notes. Rind is rubbed with tomato pulp, giving it a bright, tangy finish. (Raw milk)
Rosemary Manchego: A terrific sharp, well aged Manchego that is cloaked in rosemary and lard. The rosemary infuses the paste with a delicate resinous note. Very tasty! (Raw milk)

Cow's Milk

Chavren: Smooth texture with a rind smelling of cellar; mild and sweet flavor, with warm cream and savory notes; great for melting or pairing with medium-bodied reds! (Raw milk)
Elk Mountain: Made in the tradition of a Pyrenees tomme, but the rind is washed with Honey Wheat Ale during aging. A hearty, dry cheese with chewy crystals and a pleasantly tangy, slightly sharp finish. Try it with a Syrah or full-bodied ale. From Pholia Farm in Oregon. (Raw milk)
Up In Smoke: Young chevre, delicately smoked and wrapped in maple or silal leaves. The paste is light, moist and crumbly. A lovely addition to a savory cheese plate. From River's Edge Chevre in oregon. (Pasteurized)
Veldhuyzen Chevre Gouda: A very moist, creamy paste with a savory, nutty flavor. A mild beginning leads to a long, slightly spicy finish. A little goaty. Would make a terrific grilled cheese sandwich! (Raw milk)