It’s an open secret that Salt Lake City, the seat of Mormondom, is such a (comparatively) liberal city (see Craig’s old post). Though Holly reported (earlier this year) that word is starting to get out, but slowly.
That’s why — when I found this cheese at my local snooty French cheese shop — the label said “from Utah!” with an exclamation point. (Clearly the shop’s cheese expert was surprised.) Naturally, I had to try it! You folks know how big a fan I am of artisanal, local, seasonal foods, and — while I don’t live in Utah myself — I know that many of you do!
My verdict: these Jack Mormons know their stuff!
Now you may think I’m being presumptuous to just assume that these cheese-makers are jackmos, but here’s my evidence: On the one hand, they named their company the “Beehive Cheese Co.” On the other hand, they make fancy cheeses — which, frankly, lose half their pleasure if you don’t serve them with wine. Plus they included both coffee grounds and beer with the cheese in their publicity shot. Yet — and here’s the clincher — they were careful to include a plausible excuse for the coffee (“my brother owns a coffee company!”).
I can’t tell you how well it goes with beer, but I can confirm it’s tasty with wine. They should make a cheese called “Mormon Jack” though… 😉
I want to start a cheese company just so I can make that Mormon jack cheese you suggest. That’s brilliant.
I’ll bet it would be very tasty paired with some “Polygamy Porter.” 😉
Yet, no excuse for the beer is given. Perhaps they are trying to give the assumption that its near-beer?
I’m sill trying to figure out what they were trying to say – were they using their Mormon-ness to sell the cheese, or were they trying to distance themselves from Mormonism with the picture? Its all so baffling. Clearly the theme of “Mormonism” had something to do with it. I mean, “Beeehive Cheese Co.,” for Joe’s sake!
And I can’t say as I’ve ever had a fine cheese with beer – wine, of course, beer no – and certainly not with unground coffee beans. So, the image is quite baffling to me as well.
Madame Curie — With this particular cheese, they flavor it by rubbing the rind with coffee beans. That’s why there are coffee beans in the picture. (Sounds crazy, but actually it’s pretty tasty!)
I think the reason for putting beer in the picture is obvious. They would have put wine, but wine is against the Word of Wisdom. Beer isn’t. 😉
LOL. This post cracked me up. Thanks, chanson.
(Incidentally, Joseph claimed that wine is OK at weddings, because of the Savior’s water-to-wine precedent. They had wine at all the 1836 Kirtland weddings.)
Glad you liked it! JS would have made a great Jack-Mormon.
Utah is the Beehive State. We are branding our cheese with our place for all people from all religions to enjoy as they please. Here is a funny tidbit that I heard recently. Do you call a Jewish person who enjoys Salami a JackJew.
twelsh — Glad to hear from you! Don’t get the wrong idea — we’re not making fun of your website or your cheese. Calling someone a “Jack-Mormon” is a compliment around these parts. And we’re happy to see Utah developing a little culture, so to speak. 😉
And I think the Bloggernacle + Outer Blogness have practically written an epic novel about the parallels between the Mormons and the Jews! See this post as a starter.
Keep up the good work! 😀
p.s. in case you’re wondering: I found your cheese at Bon Appetit Fine Foods of Princeton — which is the closest thing I’ve ever seen to a real French fromagerie in the US. I asked them this morning if they have any more of that “Barely Buzzed” and they said they’re expecting another shipment soon.
This is actually one of my favourite local cheeses. I believe they also put lavender in the coating as well. And it goes great with Polygamy Porter. What wine did you pair with it Carol?
Craig — yes, that’s what it says: rubbed with coffee and lavender. That’s cool that you already knew about it!
I don’t remember which wine I paired it with, but it was probably a Bordeaux.
Mmm, coffee and lavender – two of my favorite scents. I think I need to scope this stuff out. Hopefully it will not involve a trek up to Princeton, but I may just have to consider making the trip!
Well, I know it’s also available in Utah, if that’s closer for you. 😀
Nope, Princeton is infinitely closer – I’m in Philly.
Oh, I wish I’d known! I went to a mini exmo gathering in Philly a couple of weeks ago — it would have been great to have you among us!