Soft, stinky, blue, raw and fresh. No, not oysters; rather, different types of cheese. With evidence of production dating to 2000 B.C. in Egypt, cheese was likely invented by accident when milk was transported across the scorching desert in the cleaned-out stomach of an animal (an ancient milk jug). Milk + Heat + Acid = Cheese. While it can be made from yak milk in Iceland, or moose milk in Sweden, local turophiles should be thrilled that some of the world's best cheese can be found right here on the West Coast.
1. Cheese School at Cowgirl Creamery, Point Reyes Station
Take a Cheese 101 class at this award-winning facility, observe how cheese is made, and then make some curds yourself. Interested in stinky? Learn about the accidental Red Hawk triple cream, which, in 2003, beat 615 competitors to take Best in Show at the American Cheese Society Conference – the Super Bowl of Cheese. 80 Fourth St., (415) 663-9335, www.cowgirlcreamery.com.
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