La Tomme de Waco is made in the heart of Texas, with the model of the Tomme de Savoie. The terroir is obviously very different with Texas being hotter with different plants and grass grazed by the cows. It is a modeste cheese but with a bit of taste. It will add a fruity and earthy flavor to a cheese plate, it can also be melted on bread or like a Raclette on potatoes. On a cheese plate, it pairs well with some acidic fruits, like apple, and some crunch like roasted almonds. As far as drinks, it pairs well with a dry red wine, like a Pinot noir for example. It also pairs well with an amber beer, not too sweet but not too bitter either.
Act of Love is a semi-hard pressed cheese, aged 2 months. It is a variation of la Tomme de Waco, made by washing its rind with a Waco local beer, Act of Faith by Brotherwell Brewery. The beer wash infuses love as well as subtle flavors of butter, caramel and nuts. Along with a Belgian beer or an amber ale, it makes a nice aperitif. It can be awesome on a grilled cheese sandwich (try with a darker bread). Or it can become a tasty dessert along with dark chocolate and some roasted almonds. A cheese with many abilities.
Waco cumin tomme is a variation of the Tomme de Waco, flavored with cumin seeds. It is inspired by both the Alsatian and Danish traditions of Kirsten. It can be savored the Alsatian way as a dessert, maybe with a few grapes, or the Danish way for breakfast on a piece of bread (sourdough for us, rye bread for Danish people). It can also be used in cooking, like for example with this grated carrots and cumin tomme tuiles.
As it is a strong cheese, it calls for a strong wine, for example a Gamay vin de Loire, that can balance the flavors.
Named after the fierce daughter of the cheese maker, Elise is a cow milk bloomy ashed rind, aged between 2 and 3 weeks. It has aromas and flavors of fresh milk and cream, but as it ages gets more strong on mushroom flavors. Pair the creaminess and butteriness with something fresh and acidic, like dark berries, some crunch like crackers. Add a glass of white Muscadet and you get a nice pairing as an apéritif with friends.
