Category: Staff Picks

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Ireland: Lush Land of Cheeses

With St. Patrick’s day only a few days away, we wanted to put the spotlight on some of our favorite Irish cheeses! Irish cheesemaking is relatively young to the world, unlike the ancient practices of France and Italy. But that certainly doesn’t make them any less delicious – Ireland had a vast history of buttermaking, so dairies were already up and running before the cheese started flowing. In fact, Ireland’s lush and rich pastures make it the perfect place to milk cows and create rich, grassy cheeses. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorites, ready for you to devour just in time for St. Paddy’s Day! 

15 Fields Irish Cheddar

The Lonergan Family farm, in the heart of Ireland, is made up of 15 expansive fields on which their cattle graze. With fresh grass from April to October, the raw cow’s milk is cheddared and wrapped in a traditional cloth binding. After almost a year of aging, the 15 Fields cheddar still retains that sweet grass notes in its compact, smooth paste. More intense notes of nuttiness and bold meatiness grow the closer you get to the rind, balancing out that delightful sweetness and acidity. A true farmhouse cheese from the Emerald Isle, enjoy with a farmhouse ale.

Grubb Family Cashel Blue

You know the story already, about how the Grubb family was kicked out of England 300 years ago for religious differences. The Grubbs made their new home in County Tipperary, Ireland, taking up millering and buttermaking. To this day, Louis and Jane still keep the family’s dairy traditions alive. In the mid 1980’s, they developed the first Irish Blue, nurtured and exported by Neal’s Yard Dairy. Cashel is made with the milk of the Grubbs’ 110 Friesian cows, pasteurized, and ripened for two and up to six months. It maintains a unique, voluptuous, creamy texture with a minerally undertone complemented by a delightful, mild blue tang. The best cheeses are made from April to October when the cows are out to pasture – and hey, what do you know? That’s which wheels we order!

Murray’s Irish Cheddar

This is one of those cheeses that totally tastes like the place it comes from (hint: it’s called terroir!) Cow’s milk picks up a sunny pigment from the lush pastures growing in southeast Ireland’s temperate climes, known as the “Garden of Ireland.” Buttery and grassy, with sweet and fruity flavors, and kept moist with an ever-so-Irish green wax. Slice it for sandwiches, melt it on noodles, or munch it with pickles – honestly, whatever you decide to do with it will be delicious. The perfect creamy pal for a mug of stout or Irish Whiskey. Like finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, but better (because it’s cheese)!

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Meet the Mongers at Murray’s Cheese

Our friends at Condé Nast Traveler have featured Murray’s as the go-to spot for a cheese fix! They stopped by our Bleecker St. store to meet our mongers and get a little insight into the passion instilled in each of these cheese wranglers. Check out this fun little video they made:

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Cheese Gifts from the Heart

Has your partner been dropping hints that she wants pearls for the last month or so? Did you actually listen to these hints, or are you only just now realizing why they were being dropped? If you’re starting to get the feeling that Valentine’s Day managed to sneak up on you this year, don’t worry, we feel you. You can go with the classics + flowers, but there’s still time to come up with something that is unique to your loved one’s taste. Something that says “I love you, in all your cheeseloving glory”. We’ve got your back on this one, and have a few gifts that you can give that say, “I was thinking about you”. You might even want to add a little extra in there for those added brownie points and get in touch with someone similar to these Denver jewelry designers so they can help you with that added Valentine’s Day surprise.

For Your World Traveler

If the love of your life loves puddle-jumping, spends their days browsing cheap flights to Europe and beyond, and dreams of vacays visiting Italy’s historic sites rather than the beaches of the Bahamas, this is the gift for them. La Dolce Vita (“The Sweet Life” for you non-native Italian speakers) transforms a cheese plate into a moving experience. This exquisite selection of salumi, formaggio, and snacks comes from a country where food is a deity and features classics like sheepy Pecorino Calabrese, silky Speck, and plump and briny Castelvetrano olives. Look, we know you couldn’t afford to get your boo those tickets to Milan – but this is way better, if you ask us.

For Your Partner Who’s Been Eyeing Those Tiffany Earrings

Forget diamonds, forget Rolex watches – this collection is more luxurious than the two of them combined. Designed to pair with a tall glass of bubbly, this collection was cooked up specifically for a romantic, memorable night in. Like champagne, the three cheeses from this collection will delight your senses and add a bit of excitement to date night – from the earthy Truffle Tremor, caramelly sweet Ewephoria, or velvety Hudson Valley Camembert, there’s nothing quite like cheeses and champagne. They’re a match made in heaven, just like you and your Valentine.

For Your Cheeselover with a Sweet Tooth

Cheese and crackers are nice, but you probably want a little bit of sweetness specially for Valentine’s Day. There’s nothing quite like an Effie’s biscuit and a dollop of creamy Delice de Bourgogne or a tangy sweet Chiroboga Blue. This selection tastes of home – it’ll remind you of breakfast at your mom’s house, or tea time at high noon. Whether you’re going for a fancy snack or a cozy treat, this collection is the perfect balance of both.

For Your Partner Who Wants to Spend Valentine’s Day Ordering In Pizza

You love them, you know you do, but maybe you don’t want Domino’s for your Valentine’s Day dinner. We get it, and we definitely believe in compromise when it comes to relationships. That’s why we propose The Cure to your ailments – a spread of glorious meat that no one can say no to. From the simple smoky Mosefund Mangalitsa Bacon to the rare and delightful Iberico de Bellota or creamy foie gras. Ditch the floppy, half-burnt pepperoni and break out the ultimate gift for the love of your life – it’ll give ‘meat lover’ a whole new meaning.

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Make Whey For… Murray’s Camembert!

When you think of French cheeses, we wouldn’t be surprised if your mind immediately went to Brie. It is, after all, one of the oldest cheeses to survive over the years and make it onto your cheese plate. But if we’re being honest, we’re enamored with Brie’s younger brother – a farmhouse Frenchie with the earthiness and toastiness that we love in a spreadable French cheese: Camembert! 

The original Camembert cheese came from the northern region of Normandy, France. Made by Marie Harel in 1791, who was visited by a priest from the Brie region of France named Abbot Charles-Jean Bonvoust. He passed along the recipe for preparing a cheese with a bloomy, edible rind which was produced in his homeland, that we now know as Brie. The recipe was apparently altered in the process (think of a game of cheesy telephone), creating a similar, but distinctly delicious new cheese.

Often times, Camembert is mistaken for or confused with it’s cousin, Brie. Though they are both made of cow’s milk, Brie originated from central Ile de France, while Camembert comes from the northern region of Normandy. Brie is usually made in larger wheels, and is milder than the more pungent wheel of Camembert. Camembert is a bit softer and creamier than brie, which has a more pudgy and gooey texture.

There have, since the cheese’s creation, been many different versions of Camembert. Unfortunately, because of FDA regulations on raw milk cheeses, we cannot import the traditional AOC Camembert du Normandie. But we’re always on the hunt for the best Camembert we can manage – and we think we’ve found it. The tender, downy mold rind gives a contrasting bite to a melting straw-colored paste within. Aged to rich, creamy perfection, this wheel of Camembert is toasty, buttery, and ever so lactic. This is the kind of cheese that can stand up to a bold, big red wine like Bordeaux, or is balanced by a bright Hefewiesen.

If you’re looking for the perfect pair for Camembert, the answer is simple: apples. Apples are Camembert’s best friend and neighbor, as the land around the farms Camembert is made on are often apple orchards. You can go simple by slicing a few apples, drizzling with honey, and pairing up with our gooey wheel. Or, just break out a bottle of cider or a glass of apple brandy – either way, you’ll be savoring this sweet and savory combo.

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And The Nomi-Cheese Are…

So begins this year’s award season. We’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about our favorites, both in television, film, and cheese. If we were handing out the awards on Sunday, this is who we would choose to award those Golden (Cheese) Globes. In preparation, be sure to pair these cheeses with your Golden Globe viewing party. 

Best Drama

Manchego By The Sea

If you’re looking for a cheese to pair with this seaside film, we have to recommend an aged Manchego. Its salty, crumbly paste is going to pair great with the sea salted air (or your salty tears). While we can’t promise that this cheese will bring your family closer together, or solve your failed marriage, we can promise that it’s delicious.

Best Musical or Comedy

La La Tur

Much like this highly fanciful modern-day musical, La Tur is simply decadent. While Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone are busy balancing chasing their dreams and falling in love, we ask – why not have both? This creamy, fluffy cheese is like a dream come true with the kind of champagne they’re serving at those parties in Hollywood, and you better believe we’re in love.

Best Animated Film

MoAnnelies

Annelies may come from the Alps, not by the sea, but these two have more in common than you’d think. Much like Moana was chosen by the sea to travel across the oceans, Annelies has traveled over mountains and across the sea to get to Murray’s caves. The result is an inspiring flavor that has a flavor that tastes distinctly where it comes from (hazelnuts, alpine grasses, butterscotch). It’s a taste that you’ll be thanking us for. And as Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson says, You’re Welcome.

Best Television Drama

West(Loop)world

We might not know what is real and what isn’t when it comes to Westworld, but we do know one thing: West Loop Salumi is the real deal. With the rustic and traditional style that would have made it right at home in Westworld, Chicago’s Salumiere is as masterful in charcuterie as Anthony Hopkins is as making lifelike robots. We also think their savory, porky sticks are just about as addictive as this winning show.

Best Television Musical or Comedy

Mozzarella in the Jungle

We’ve seen this show win before, and Mozzarella is no different. Everyone loves these two – they go well with everything (comedy, drama, pizza) and pretty much everyone loves them. Whether you’re a free young spirit like Rodrigo, or a veteran traditionalist like Thomas, you can style mozzarella any way that you like – it’s a flexible, versatile cheese that can be snacked on, melted, or smoked. 

Best Limited Series

The Bite Of

The Night Of kept us guessing for nine episodes, and it still doesn’t seem like enough. Was Naz innocent? What really happened that night? We could have been satisfied watching this series all year – but limited series means limited. But you know what does keep us satisfied all year long? Our monthly clubs; delivering exciting new cheeses, meats, and pairings each month, it’s like a new episode dropping. I mean, we have to channel our anticipation somehow.

 

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