Another day, another great cheese ….

Such is the life of a foodie at Central Market. So many exciting cheeses we already carry, and still new ones arrive almost every week! This week, among our many new items at CM, is a cheese called Passendale.

Passendale hails from the Flemish village of Belgium, Passchendaele. Known for its creamy buttery cheese wheels (actually shaped more like a loaf of bread); the town is mobbed annually during the August cheese festival. Passendale is a pasteurized cow’s milk cheese, a rich, utterly creamy delight with a yellow semisoft interior and brown/white molded crust.

The paste features many small holes and is best at room temperature or bit warmer to bring out all of its sweet milky character. Buttery overtones and a slightly lactic finish make this cheese excellent for snacking or sandwiches. Passendale matches well with sweet fruits such as pears and grapes. Serve Passendale with sweeter white wines, rosés or as a perfect match to a Belgian beer such as Vielle Provision Saison Dupont (a bottle conditioned Belgian farmhouse ale) with a hearty artisan bread from our Bakery.

Phil Myers, Professional Foodie.