"cheese gifts" news and stories

From bright red strawberries with smooth whipped cream to seductively buttery and sweet chocolate paired with wine, the thought of aphrodisiacs conjures up an array of tastes, aromas and images that are sure to romance that special someone this Valentine's Day. And sharing cheese is another great expression of love. Whether eaten alone or with chocolate or, better yet, with a celebratory flute of Champagne, the right cheese can express just how strongly you feel about your valentine.

We've checked out cheese pairings, gift baskets and heart-shaped fromages from the nation's leading cheese shops to find the best Valentine's Day cheese gifts that can be mail-ordered and shared with that significant other.

After the jump, our three favorites.

The holiday season usually means plenty of us will be saying "cheese!" But the smiles it brings doesn't only have to be for family photos.

Consider mail-ordering a festive cheese platter for holiday events or as gifts. From one-time cheese platters and cheese-of-the-month clubs to special cutlery and distinct pairings, the gift offerings available from some of the nation's top cheese stores can't be beat. Here are three of our favorites.

If you adore cheese, or rather all cheeses, of every sort, you might want to head over to Tiny Showcase. Mr. C.W. Roelle's beautiful wire sculptures of cheese, like the ones above, are currently available on preorder for the not-so-bad price of $65. But wait -- there's a catch.

You can't choose what you get. That's right -- you pay your money and get a sculpture at random. You could get blue. You could get Brie. You could get Romano. This is why I say a lover of all cheeses. I would love one of these, but I just know that I'd get some moldy cheese. (I'm trying to get onto the blue bandwagon, but it just aint happenin' yet, so I don't want a sculpture taunting me in the kitchen.)

As an added bonus, if you order before Saturday, February 21, you get a complimentary signed poster that displays some of the cheeses from the collection. But me, I just want one of these for havarti.

[via Serious Eats]