Tastes like Tomme: Keswick's new line of cheeses. Photo by the author.
Keswick Creamery likes to mix it up. Its standard cheddar, spicy Jack-style Dragon’s Breath, and herbed fetas continue to grace their stands at area farmers markets, while recently, they’ve added products like chocolate pudding, cheesy muffins and cookies, and marinated feta. The newest addition is Tomme (which rhymes with "home"), a cheese that brings a French Alps tradition down to the D.C. metropolitan area. Some of the varieties have rinds washed with local beer and hard cider.
“They always like to diversify,” said stand worker Jake Ludwig of his employers. “They made [Tomme] in a class and liked it and wanted to try it.”
The defining characteristic of the Tomme-making process is the slightly lower temperature to which the milk is heated. According to Max Shrem’s detailed description on SlashFood, the procedure also involves pressing the curds into molds by hand or by weights, and adding the rennet while the milk is still warm to bring about quick coagulation. The cheese also tends to have an edible rind that sometimes resembles ash.
Although Tomme makers need not wash the rind, Keswick gives several of theirs a good bathing. They treat three of their wheels to local concoctions: the Troegenator Double Bock and Mad Elf Ale from Troegs Brewing Company, and Jack's Hard Cider from Hauser Estate Winery. A fourth has a brined rind.The flavor of the washes permeate almost imperceptibly--just enough to add variety.
The five kinds of Tomme also vary in texture, with most just firm enough to shred but The Tommenator going much creamier.
The only possible drawback to the new selections? Price. You'll pay more for the extra care in the Tomme-making process.
Where to find Keswick's Tomme and other cheeses this time of year:
- Takoma Park Farmers Market
- Dupont Circle FRESHFARM Market (see website and write-up)
- Various retail locations in the D.C. area. Check the Keswick Creamery website for details.
Comments
I saw this at the Takoma Park market this weekend! I'll have to give it a try next weekend. Keswick's yogurt is by far my favorite local yogurt I've found. They make good products.
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