Bonjour, Flavor!

Sometimes, what you need is an escape. Especially around the holidays. But if you can’t escape, what’s the next best thing? An experience that transports you. That’s why the gift of Murray’s is your best bet this holiday season – it can whisk you away to a land of flavor and delight. This time, we take you to France with the French Connection!

Come a-whey with us – to strolls along the Seine River, leading to an afternoon lunch at a cafe not far from the Eiffel Tower. Or to cool mountain air from high up in the French Alps, watching cows and sheep graze. It all is embodied in the cheeses highlighted in the French Connection – a tour across the land of France. This might just inspire some people to actually visit France themselves. It’s such an amazing place with so many different things to see and meals to try. Perhaps some people could look into the Jettly Air Charter Service to book a flight on a private jet over to France to see these attractions themselves. If not, people can just enjoy our tour of France!

First is the traditional French Alpine cheese – Comte comes from France’s Jura region, capturing the essence of raw, mountain pasture-fed cow milk with a hint of sweet milk, stone fruit, and brown butter. The rich chunk of Ossau Iraty comes from the Pyrenees – it’s a grassy-sweet sheep’s milk cheese highlighted by toasted wheat and hazelnut flavors. The Prince of French Blues, Bleu d’Auvergne comes from the same region as Roquefort, and is mellower and meatier than its spicy sheep relative. And that unassuming, miniature white wheel? That’s Chabichou – a wrinkly aged goat cheese chock full of lemon zest and minerality, the perfect tangy little bite.

But it wouldn’t be enough simply to feature cheese – The French Connection also highlights France’s answer to salumi with Saucisson Sec. Porky, with a hint of garlic, it is best served whole, while you or your guests slice medium-thick bites. With the Comte, it is divine, especially paired with the mix of French Olives that accompany it. Or top the Ossau Iraty and Bleu d’Auvergne with the Black Cherry Confit – the mix of flavors will surprise and delight.

We want to make gift-giving easy for you. Whether buying for the cheese novice or the hardcore cheese fanatic, we have something for everyone!

Holiday Gifts on a Budget: Save Some Cheddar On Your Cheddar

By: Cate Peebles

Looking for something impressive that’s not oppressive to your wallet? We understand. Thankfully, a little extravagance goes a long way and you can impress anyone with one or two choice, delicious treats. We put together a few indulgent gifts that are luxurious AND affordable.

The Holiday Weekender

 The Holiday Weekender$65  (ON SALE for $55) – A weekend escape full of tasty cheese,     crunchy oat cakes and decadent fig cake. What makes a better gift than a brief escape from the holiday craziness?

Season’s Eatings – $45 – This rustic gift includes raw, spruce-wrapped favorite, Rush Creek, a cheese that we flip our lids for year after year; it’s the pièce de résistence of many-a monger’s holiday spread.

American Splendor – $40 – This is a lovely little sack of farmstead American craftsmanship: 2 Vermont cheeses, homemade Apple Butter, and a box of crackers. It makes a great gift for the host of the party, or a foodie friend with a taste for farm-to-table treats.

Build Your Own Gift and have it delivered in a Hand Made wooden crate

BYOG– Build Your Own Gift! It all starts with a $15 signature Murray’s gift crate and can be as stuffed or spare as you want it to be. To get the ideas flowing, here’s a sample gift box that costs under $50:

Build Your Own Gift:

Gift Crate – $15
½ lb Tuxford and Tebbut Stilton – $10
1 VBC Cremont – $11.99
Petit Toast – $3.99
1 Dalmatia Fig Jam – $7.99

Total – $48.97

La Quercia Cucina Collection – $39.99 –This little package of exquisite, hand-crafted cured meats is ideal for the meat-loving home chef in your life. Made by one of our favorite American artisanal charcuterie producers, La Quercia makes superb prosciutto, coppa, speck and lardo…just to name a few!

Gift Cards!

Gift Cards –Starts at $10 – These babies make superb stocking-stuffers and last minute additions to holiday cards and thank you notes. Give a little or a lot—they’re redeemable for online, in-store and classroom purchases.

Fancy food treats don’t have to be off limits—we’ve got something delectable in every price-range. Take a look online and place your order, or we’re standing by to help you make selections: give us a call at: 888-692-4339, Monday- Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. We can’t wait to talk cheese!

 

 

Looking for other cheesy gifts this Holiday season? Check out our Gift Guide to see all of our gift collections!

Wanna learn more about cheese? Check out our Cheese 101 videos and become a real curd nerd!

Add to Cart: Our Favorite Murray’s Gift Collections

We don’t like to admit it, but we have sometimes play favorite at Murray’s. While we love all of our gift collections, a few are clear standout’s. These are what we would send to family and friends. From the true cheese enthusiast, to those that need a to ease there way in, the following 3 collections should hep you find that perfect cheesy gift.

A Delightful in Every Biteful – Cheese for Beginners has time and taste-tested classics.  A tangy tower of Chabichou, buttery sweet Pyrénées Brebis, and earthy favorite Cabot Clothbound Cheddar share billing with funky Taleggio and fruity Dansk Blue.  These selections are delectable on a cheese board, but versatile enough for a seasoned cheese lover to incorporate into holiday recipes.  A slick cheese knife leaves a lasting impression of deliciousness.

EARTHY |BUTTERY | SWEET

Hey DJ Keep Playing that Song – The Greatest Hits gift is full of crowd-pleasing treats that work equally well for entertaining or as between-meal snacks.  Perfect for the perennial host or hostess, this medley offers comforting favorites like chewy sheep Gouda, crumbly English cheddar, and creamy Dansk Blue.  Crunchy Italian table cheese and decadent goat-and-crème fraiche Cremont round out the bill.  A delicious way to start or end any evening.

TANGY | FRUITY |NUTTY

Spelunker’s Paradise – Murray’s Cavemaster Collection is a perfectgift for someone who has tried everything – maybe you know someone who describes him or herself as a “foodie.”  A selection of cheeses that come from our very own caves, these exclusives offer dynamic flavors from the tangy young Torus to the complex Barden Blue, with satisfying textures like dense and crystalline Cave Aged Gruyere and snappy Z Crackers.  The assortment is completed with herb-rolled Hudson Flower – a show-stopping cheese plate centerpiece. Bring the hunt for something new to their doorstep this season.

CRUNCHY | CREAMY | MELTY

 

 

Looking for other cheesy gifts this Holiday season? Check out our Gift Guide to see all of our gift collections! Wanna learn more about cheese? Check out our Cheese 101 videos and become a real curd nerd!