Wisconsin is a state with plenty to offer for tourists and locals alike. It’s the birthplace of Harley Davidson and home to some of the best and most diverse breweries in the country, but nothing symbolizes what the state has to offer better than its famous cheese. With around 60 artisan makers and over 600 different types of cheese, it’s an enthusiast’s dream. Here are the places around Madison, Wisconsin, where you can get the finest cheese.
Fromagination
This classic-looking shop with a European feel was opened back in 2007 by a local cheese lover who wanted to showcase the wonderful local cheesemaking traditions. Visitors not only get to fill their bags and stomachs with diverse and incredibly tasty dairy products but are also taken on a journey of discovery. They get to see where and how everything is made but also learn about the people who make all those delicious Midwestern treats.
The vast variety of cheese types means that not only is there something here for everyone, but you may also discover new favorites among the cheeses that you haven’t tried yet. Fromagination has cheese that’s made out of cow, goat, or sheep milk, as well as other varieties such as cheddar cheese or traditional Dutch Gouda cheese. They also haven’t forgotten about lovers of smelly cheese, with a nice selection of aromatic delights.
L’Etoile Restaurant
Aside from places where you can buy cheese to eat at home, restaurants that cook delicious meals using local farm-produced ingredients also should not be missed. L’Etoile is a perfect example of such a place. This charming restaurant uses over 200 local suppliers for their meat, fruits, vegetables, and of course, dairy products.
L’Etoile is proud to offer many different types and flavors of cheese produced by local artisan cheese makers, having established many fruitful relationships over the years. The restaurant’s bar offers cheese plates for anyone to try, featuring styles and flavors such as nutty cave-aged cheeses, creamy blues, or fresh chèvres.
The Speckled Hen Inn
If you’re in a hurry you stop by a cheese shop and if you have some time you visit a cheese-oriented restaurant. However, for a truly authentic Wisconsin cheese tasting experience, it’s best that you spend at least one night in a local bed and breakfast. The Speckled Hen Inn is a great place for that and, aside from the charming guest rooms and breathtaking natural décor, they’re also famous for their delicious breakfast exclusively made with locally grown ingredients.
Everything is local or homemade, from the fresh eggs delivered by the Inn’s own hens to the fresh fruit and vegetables grown in their garden. Obviously, this includes a wonderful variety of cheeses produced by the area’s very own skillful artisans.
Wisconsin’s history and traditions make it a wonderful place to live and to visit. However, you can’t say you have fully experienced what the state has to offer until you try some of the many different types of delicious locally produced cheese, so get out there in a vehicle from Smart Motors Toyota and experience all of the beautiful cheese that Wisconsin has to offer.
“Cheese” via Flickr by Steam Pipe Trunk Distribution Venue. Used with permission via CC BY 2.0 / cropped from original
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