Dear fellow food-lover,

The Cheese Plate, is a monthly email from Oldways with suggestions for different types of traditional cheeses, ideal pairings, and ways to serve them. Visit our Cheese Store Directory to find where to buy traditional cheeses near you. Learn more about Things to Look For in Traditional Cheese or send us your questions.

For tips on buying cheese, download our e-book, The Cheese-Lover’s Guide to Cooking with Traditional Cheeses.
Love is in the Air
Valentine's Day is February 14, and since February is American Heart Month we are celebrating all month long.

This is the perfect time to share delicious cheeses with your loved ones and pair them with heart-healthy foods.

Cheese can be part of a healthy lifestyle. Studies show that cheese can lower your risk of heart disease and stroke when eaten in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Je t'aime- Fromage À Trois
Presented by: Seacrest
This heart-shaped cheese is made with a trio of milks (cow, goat, and sheep). It has white mold on the outside, and the interior is soft and easy to spread. The flavor is delicate with milky notes and some fresh acidity.

Truly a cheese for the occasion since it pairs nicely with champagne, sparkling wine, chocolate, or honey, it is an ideal choice for your Valentine's Day spread.
Gruyére AOP
Maker: Gruyére makers in Switzerland
Presented by: Gruyére AOP
Gruyére AOP is a cheese that is beautifully crafted with long-standing traditions that have been passed down through generations. It is infused with unique region-specific flavors coming from the natural surroundings in the mountains of Switzerland where it is made.

One wheel of Gruyere AOP is made with over 100 gallons of raw cow's milk. 

It is an aged cheese, with a complex taste and earthy aromas. Try it on Valentine's Day and pair with a full-bodied red wine or whiskey.
Gorwydd Caerphilly
Maker: Todd and Maugan Trethowan
Presented by: Neal's Yard Dairy
True milk, like true love, is hard to find.
Todd and Maugan Trethowan spent four long years searching for their ideal milk source. They knew what they wanted – organic milk from a single herd.
 
The brothers tasted milk from many farms, until they found the one at Puxton Court Farm, where the mixed herd of pasture-fed Holstein-Frieisan and Jersey cows give a uniquely flavoured, extra creamy milk perfect for their raw-milk Gorwydd Caerphilly.

This cheese has a densely crumbly center with fresh, lemony flavors that gives way to a creamy, more umami layer beneath the edible rind. Keep pairings simple with oatcakes or a bit of fruity chutney or try it with champagne.
Pairing: Walnuts
Balance your cheese and fruit plates with walnuts, which pair well with the sweet and savory flavors.

Plus, they are heart healthy! Walnuts are the only nut significantly high in essential plant-based omega-3 ALA.One ounce of walnuts is a powerhouse of important nutrients for optimum health, including protein (4g), fiber (2g), a good source of magnesium (45mg) and an excellent source of the essential omega-3 ALA (2.5g).

For a quick, tasty meal try cottage cheese walnut-caprese toast (Recipe courtesy of California Walnuts.)
The Cheese Plate is made possible through the generous support of Emmi Roth, Gruyère AOP, Parmigiano Reggiano, FoodMatch and Whole Foods Market.