I’m lucky that I even know what kind of cheese I like at Subway. Really, I couldn’t tell you much more than that about cheese.
When I got to France, however, I thought I needed to learn my stuff. “Learn by doing” is the motto of studying abroad apparently so I just picked up the first cheese I saw and decided I would start with that.
As I sat in my room, bread and cheese sitting in front of me, I felt like I really had figured out this whole France thing…and then I opened the cheese.
I know how to handle my Kraft 100% Parmesan Grated Cheese Product. Sargento Fancy Shredded Four Cheese Mexican Cheese? Easy. I’ve got Land O’Lakes Sliced White American Cheese down to a tee. I even know how to slice my own Kraft Velveeta (probably-not-technically-even-considered-a-cheese) Cheese. When I saw the fluffy white top of my French cheese though, I realized I was in way over my head.
In fact, if I had to describe the smell, I’d compare it to the one time I left my soccer bag in the car during pre-season in 85+ degree weather. I quickly put the lid back on the container and started some research on Camembert Cheese. Surely I had just gotten some expired cheese.
“A delicate aroma” is how one website described the smell. Funny. Not quite what I would have used.
I suppose I should have felt better knowing my cheese wasn’t spoiled. It’s supposed to look like it has white mold growing all over it and smell like shin guards in need of some serious Febreze. Great. Still feeling a little anxious, I asked a real French person about it. He said it’s good cheese but to open it in the bathroom because it can be messy. Nothing about this situation looked promising.
In all honesty, I didn’t mind the taste of the cheese itself. I did, however, mind the foot smell that occurred every time I opened my refrigerator after that. My most recent cheese purchase was “Cheeseburger Cheese” (aka American Cheese). Looks like I’ll need some time before I become a cheese connoisseur.
In other news, I am becoming an expert in the many uses of Nutella.
Someone told you to open the cheese in the bathroom? Who opens food in the bathroom?!
ReplyDeleteDon't know if this is appropriate or not, but it's a parody that definitely mentions your French cheese issues... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBJaYvlqT8c
ReplyDeleteI love you.
We watched an episode of Modern Marvels on cheese the other day! :) I guess you should have watched it before you left!
ReplyDeleteDo you like Mozzarella? Because if you do, you should try Bufala. It's a variety of mozzarella made from buffalo milk that we ate in Italy. But I don't know what they'd call it in France.
Also, Nutella rocks. And it's cheaper than peanut butter over there, so I hope you're enjoying it! It was a staple when I was in Europe!