Cheese Expert: Jeanne Carpenter

This morning, my mom was on the Wisconsin Ideas Network, part of Wisconsin Public Radio, talking about nothing other than the magnificent world of cheese! Before she left she told me one thing: You can call in with a question! I don't think she expected me to actually listen to her, that would be a first after all.

Halfway through the interview, I emailed in a question while listening online. About ten minutes later I heard Lary Meiller say, "And our next question is from some... Avery." I gasped, I didn't think it would actually be read. I heard my mom laugh quietly. Lary continued: "Her question is if you had to choose one artisan cheese for everyone to try, what would it be?" My mom said, "Hmm, I wonder if this could possibly be my daughter, whose name is also Avery. Gee, thanks honey! At least it's a nice question..."She paused while thinking. "My favorite cheese is a new cheese called Dunbarton Blue, made by Roelli Cheese." She went on for a few minutes. No offense but in my opinion, that cheese tastes like dirt.

People from all over the midwest called in with questions. My favorite question was this: Is cheese made of mold? Cheese is a dairy product, therefore making it made out of milk. Not mold. You have to give the guy credit though, he likes to know what he's eating! I find sometimes, it's better not to ask.

Overall, the interview was... interesting. It's the first time I actually listened to my mom talk about cheese. I mean, sure, I've been to the grand openings, the tastings and all that jazz but this was the first time I enjoyed it! The cheese world really is something...