Sierra Nevada Cheese Company’s Graziers, which are grass-fed cheeses, are made with raw milk, enhancing the delicious richness and lingering flavors that play like a symphony for the taste buds. The Graziers cheeses are grass-fed, made with raw milk, and certified kosher, meaning their plant follows stringent sanitary production procedures required for kosher foods and kosher meals. Moreover, the Graziers dairies are American Humane Certified. While many people eat cheese simply because they enjoy the flavor, did you know that there are also health benefits for consuming grass-fed and raw milk cheeses?

Health Benefits

The Certified Graziers program exceeds Organic Standards on many levels. Fresh grass gives Graziers milk significantly higher levels of omega 3’s, omega 6 fatty acids, Conjugated Linoleic Acid, vitamins, and minerals. The cheese is also made from raw milk, which has its own health benefits.

• Cheese made from raw milk has a deeper flavor and a higher nutritional value than pasteurized cheeses.
• Healthy raw milk adds good bacteria to your digestive system and brings its own package of digestive enzymes with it that help to digest sugars, fats, and proteins.
• U.S. News & World Report reported in March 2009 that consumption of raw milk, and cheese made from it, may significantly lower the symptoms of allergic reactions such as asthma, hay fever, and eczema.
• In addition to being high in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids, raw milk from grass-fed animals is a rich source of butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid that’s widely known to control health issues related to inflammation, slow metabolism, and stress resistance.

Cheese Guide
Given the health benefits of grass-fed and raw milk cheeses, if you are considering picking up some Sierra Nevada Cheese Company’s Graziers, here’s a guide to help you decide which cheeses to select.

• Sharp Cheddar — The sharp cheddar is a customer favorite of the four cheeses, with a sharp tang, lingering creaminess, and a light tropical fruit characteristic in the finish. 
• Medium Cheddar — Graziers Medium Cheddar had a nice flavor and slight sharpness as well.
• Jalapeno Jack Cheese — Another great option is the exceptionally delicious Jalapeno Jack Cheese, which is slightly hot, but not overwhelming. Customers are pleasantly surprised at how flavorful the red and green peppers are because they tast like they are freshly grilled.
• Monterrey Jack — The plain Monterrey Jack is also very creamy and tasty. A classic that you can’t go wrong with.

Cheese Pairings
With these cheese differences in mind, you may be wondering what to pair with the cheeses. For breakfast, try the Jalapeno Jack in an omelet with avocado, red onions, cilantro, tomato, and mushrooms. For lunch, try melting all four kinds of cheese on a baguette for an evenly melted, delicious snack. This simple sauce tastes delicious when mixed with shrimp and poured over asparagus for dinner. For an appetizer, make the perfect cheese sauce by grating the sharp cheddar into a roux with a little cream or Sierra Nevada Crème Fraîche. Another appetizer everyone will love is a cheese and charcuterie board. Graziers cheeses slice up nicely and don’t fall apart. Additionally, they pair well with strawberries, raspberries, Honey Crisp apples, and kiwi as well as smoked almonds, roasted peanuts, pecans, walnuts, and roasted pistachios. When adding meats to the charcuterie board, consider customer’s favorite charcuterie pairings are Creminelli cured meats.

The Graziers Sharp Cheddar pairs best with the Creminelli Prosciutto. The sharpness and tanginess of the sharp cheddar cuts through the richness and velvety texture of the prosciutto. The rich and creamy Graziers Jack Cheese is a soothing complement to the spicy Calabrese. On the flip side, the Creminelli Varzi’s mellow richness cuts the heat from the Graziers Jalapeno Jack. Finally, Graziers Medium Cheddar makes a pleasant marriage with the Sopressa made with red wine and garlic.

You can find Sierra Nevada Cheese Company’s Graziers at your local Mother’s.