We are big fans of Twig Farm Cheeses and try to follow what the farm is producing and taste a sample when we can. On a recent visit to South End Formaggio, we added Twig Farm Mixed Drum to our favorites from this Vermont producer.
Expert Descriptions
Here's what the cheesemaker has to say:
"Mixed Drum is a natural rind semi-hard cheese aged for four to seven months, usually weighing about 5 pounds. Round (drum) shaped, 7-8" in diameter, about 6" tall. Made from raw (Ayrshire) cow's milk from Scapeland Farm (Crawford Family Farm) in Whiting and raw goat's milk from our farm. Produced from May to December."
Cheesemonger Anne Saxelby in her 2014 cheese picks wrote:
"Mixed Drum Twig Farm (raw goat and cows’ milk/animal rennet, Cornwall, VT)
A seasonal special from Twig Farm! Mixed Drum is an earthy, hearty, rustic wheel made from a blend of goats’ milk from their herd and cows’ milk sourced from neighboring farms. The ratio of goat to cow is about 20/80. The texture is semi-firm and squidgy, with the center of the cheese remaining chalky and breaking down around the rind. Nutty, lightly sharp and citrusy with some yeasty and lactic notes.
Aged for 4 months or more.
We loved the various textures Anne describes with the runny outer layer and firmer center. You can see the difference in the photo above.
If you want to learn more about cheese listen to Anne Saxelby's Cutting the Curd podcast. You can even search for Twig Farm and pull up the shows that feature this farm.
And, here are other items from our Cheese Tray!
What's on your Cheese Shopping List? Here are some great books about cheese.
Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino
