Despite bathing suit season on the horizon, I’m still going strong with my love for cheese! That means I was back at Wasik’s Cheese Shop to scope out the “Cheese of the Month” for May. Brian Wasik came up with a milky white goat’s milk with a grab your attention taste from Catalonia. Ladies and Gentleman, introducing Garrotxa! (Pronounced gah-ROACH-ah). It’s so good, you just might eat it all yourself.
Garrotxa
CHEESE – Semi-Soft
DAIRY – Pasteurized Goat’s Milk
ORIGIN – Catalonia, Spain
COST – $32.95 per pound
Brian Wasik tells us typically in the spring; he likes lighter and brighter cheeses, like the gorgeous goat’s milk cheese from Catalonia, Garratoxa.
I was gaga over the milky color, air bubbles, and rind that looked like a stone – a very aesthetically pleasing cheese.
Brian recently gave us an interesting bit of info – sheep’s and goat’s milk cheese will always be white, as there isn’t any beta-carotene. So, I guess this is the perfect example.
He said the stony-looking rind is creating by washing it with vinegar to protect it against certain molds. Later it is washed again, but with a salt bath, to let that good funkiness flourish. Historically, Garrotxa is aged in caves – sexy, right? But, it almost bit the dust in the 1970s. In the early 1980s, farmers made a push to bring back Garrotxa. It’s now quite popular, especially amongst cheese geeks. 
Brian Wasik Preparing Our Hunk o’ Cheese
Brian also told us this cheese is meant to be enjoyed OUTSIDE with fresh olives, breadsticks, and sunshine. Serve it with a nice rose, like our Wine Wednesday pick. Or even still, vodka or a gin & tonic.
These little mini-breadstick crackers Brian recommended from the Cheese Shop for the alfresco cheese snack were adorable! They are also tasty because I munched on them all evening long.
As far as the drink to pair with our lovely light and bright cheese plate? Rose or G&T? I’m an equal opportunity eater/drinker. So I thought I would give them both a try.
First of all, I ate all of the cheese. All. By. Myself.
I really couldn’t help myself, maybe I’m part mouse? With the rose, I tasted some of the fruitiness Brian told me was a hidden character of the cheese profile. With the G&T, a little more earthiness and pine flavor came to me. The rind alone tasted slightly like blue cheese- a taste I relish, which is probably why I ate all of it in one evening!
If you plan to serve Garrotxa, I would say, offer both drinks and let your guests decide their mood. Either way, you’re sure to enjoy the moments you make in between bites and sips!
If you want to eat the entire hunk of Garrotxa yourself- go for it! You know I won’t judge you. 😉
Don’t forget to visit Wasik’s in Wellesley. For a fun and unique gift, consider sending a cheese & goodies basket!
ADDRESS: 61 CENTRAL ST, WELLESLEY, MA 02482
PHONE:(781) 237-0916
“When my get-up-and-go has got up and gone,
I hanker for a hunk o’ cheese!
When I’m dancin’ a hoedown and my boots kinda slow down,
Or anytime I’m weak in the knees,
I hanker for a hunk of,
A slab or slice or chunk of,
A snack a day’s a winner
And yet won’t spoil my dinner!
I hanker for a hunk o’ cheese!”
