Author: Tribune2 | Total views: 83 Comments: 0
Word Count: 708 Date: Sun, 1 Feb 2009 12:36 AM

Tenerife Wins World Cheese Title

Cheese festivals are not new, but for those not in the know, they may seem a bit odd. At the 2008 World Cheese Awards, Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, took home the honor for the best cheese.

The winning cheese was Queso Arico curado pimento, a cured goat cheese with paprika, roasted maize meal and sugar. This particular cheese has been made for years in Tenerife, passing from generation to generation. It was produced by the Sociedad Canaria de Formento (a co-operative of 50 cheese makers based in the Canary Islands). The winning cheese was one of 12 from the Canary Islands to garner an award at the show.

The festival, which began 20 years ago, was held in Dublin, Ireland. This marked the first time it was held somewhere other than the U.K. More than 2,000 cheeses were on display and competing for the title of "Best Cheese in the World."

Thousands of entrants from across the globe participated in the event. Reports indicate that the competition was really fierce. Four cheeses were neck and neck in the final judging. However, Tenerife's Queso Arico curado pimento came through by a whisker.

Cheese production forms a major part of the economic mainstay of the island. Tenerife is believed to produce about 25 percent of the cheese made in the Canary Islands. The island is actually known for its goat cheese, which makes up the bulk of the cheese it produces.

History of Cheese

Cheese has been around since before recorded history. There is no way of knowing where it was first made, but it is and was a popular food in many cultures. Murals in ancient tombs in Egypt dating back to 2000 B.C. show cheese being made. Over the centuries, cheese has grown to become a staple in many countries worldwide.

Types of Cheese

There are four basic types of cheese, namely hard, semi-hard, soft and semi-soft. All other types of cheese, over 1500 types, are derived from these. The terms used to differentiate types of cheese indicate how much moisture is in the cheese when it is finished being processed. This also dictates the texture of the cheese.

Examples of hard cheeses include the popular parmesan used often as topping for spaghetti, as well as Swiss and romano cheese. Cheddar, Gouda and provolone are some the better known semi-hard cheeses around. These types of cheeses are popular for use in cooking, like stuffing chicken breast.

Cheese that falls into the soft cheese category includes cottage and cream cheese, mozzarella, brie and ricotta. Well-known semi-soft cheeses include co-jack, Colby and American cheese.

What is so Great About Goat Cheese?

The winning cheese from Tenerife was a goat cheese with a little extra. But what makes goat milk so good? For one, it is a healthy choice for anyone seeking to increase calcium in their diet. Plus it's good for people who are lactose intolerant, as there is rarely any reaction to it. Other health benefits of goat cheese are that it generally has less fat, cholesterol and calories.

The growing popularity of goat milk and cheese is as a result of the Mediterranean diet. Because of its low fat and caloric values, goat cheese is ideal for dieters.

Organic vs Processed Cheese

Statistics indicate that with the thrust towards healthy lifestyles and holistic health, the sales of organic cheese are increasing. Organic cheese is believed to have much more vitamins than processed cheese. It is said that this is because organic cheese is made from milk from grass-fed cows. Organic cheese also has more omega-3 fatty acids than cheese made from grain-fed cows.

Cheese continues to be popular in the cuisines of many countries. It is used as a topping on pizza, spaghetti and soups. It is used for healthy snacks, appetizers and quick pick-me-ups.

Cheese lovers can also look out for other cheese festivals in other parts of the world. Three festivals are the Great Wisconsin Cheese Festival in Wisconsin, USA; the South Africa Cheese Festival; and the European A.O.P. Cheese Festival.