Treeline Cheese: the Hard Wheels (Vegan MoFo 2013)

I went to the most recent Vegan Shop-Up with the explicit intention of only buying two cheeses from Treeline.

But when I got there and realized that they had four varieties to choose from, I quickly decided I couldn't decide.

Yep, I got 'em all.  The hard cheeses: aged cashew wheels.

And the spreadable tubs: soft French-style tree nut cheeses (I'm gonna make you wait for them).

I started with the hard cheeses:

First, the cracked pepper aged cashew cheese:

I was worried the pepper was only on the top of the wheel, but it was generously flecked throughout as well.

The texture was amazing and I loved the punch of the pepper.  Punch, not crunch; the pepper is ideally ground ;-)

Next up was the classic smoky aged cashew cheese, which I wasn't sure I would like; smokiness isn't really my thing.

But, I actually only found it mildly smoky.  More prominent was a flavor I likened to a tartness, like vinegar.  And I loved that.  

gotta have a Pac-man shot

Without the texture of the pepper, this cheese was even more authentic to what I remember of traditional wheels.

VM liked the cracked pepper best and I'd like to tell you that I liked the classic smoky best, but the fact of the matter is that I couldn't resist either one.  Since the flavors were so contrary to one another, I really liked having them intermittently.

After finishing the two wheels in five days, I decided to save the soft cheeses for another week (!).  So, stay tuned for a separate review of the soft cheeses.  In the meantime, drool over this:

There's no question that Treeline makes an excellent product.  In addition, I love that they offer plenty of information about why they do what they do on their website and are wholly consistent with their vegan message. 

My August Vegan Shop-Up Recap

A Vegan Shop-Up is always a special day; this one happened to be moreso than others.  For starters, there were Pine Box Rock Shop's famous Bloody Marys.  Yes; that's celery, lime, olive, pickled string bean, pickled okra, and a radish to indicate mine is the spicy one: all adorning the best Marys in the land served by the absolute nicest bartenders.

I overheard two guys outside saying, "This must be some kind of vegetarian food festival."  Nope, better.  It's vegan!!!

First eating stop: Gone Pie Vegan Bakery (all gluten-free).  These are their famous PBCRRBNBB: peanut butter caramel rocky road beer nut and bacon brownies, which I promise to try one of these days if I can grab one before they sell out.  So famous! 

Go Nepie!

Forgive me, it's just that VM had already amassed quite the haul for the three of us.  Of course, the mini pecan pie with chocolate frosting (and, I learned, an additional chocolate layer inside the crust).  I admit I ate three quarters of this pie; sorry, not sorry.

The mini lemon blackberry cake was so moist and full of berries that I almost didn't need the decadent icing on top.  Just kidding, it was the best part!

The apple coffeecake muffin was a special treat for VM and she loved it; thanks, Barbara!

And, the chocolate cobbler: almond/Brazil nut crust, chocolate fudge filling, sweet Brazil nut topping.  Since I'm sure you want this and more, I'll let you in on a secret: you can get it this weekend.

89: bored by the whole exciting scene (except for this part)!

 

So, we headed outside.

Cake thieves!

While they continue to expand their repertoire, I still can't drag my attention away from their buns and donuts, by which I am completely enamored.

89 quickly found a friend to lean on.

Chillin in the breeze.

Snail time!  Cinnamon Snail (as if you didn't know).

Cinnamon Snail = spontaneous hugging

Our sammies: all snuggled together in a box.

Check out my monster gochujang burger deluxe: with sauteed kimchi, arugula, pickled daikon and leeks, black sesame gomasio, and sriracha mayonnaise on grilled focaccia.  It paired SO well with my Mary I cannot even tell you.

VM did it again with her tofu-less basil pesto grilled tofu with white truffle cashew cheese, kalamata olive tapenade, arugula, and caramelized onions on garlic grilled baguette.  However, the fab lady manning the Snail suggested an avocado substitute and VM swooned.  Thanks SO MUCH, Snailette!

I seemed to have missed the strawberry almond I coveted, so instead I picked up a lemon darjeeling macaron from Sweet Maresa's.  I wanted to try the absinthe but I just didn't have the nerve.  Next time!  It's confirmed; I'm definitely a fan of these delicate cookies.

And, finally: my Treeline cheese haul.  Last time they ran out, so I only had a chance to have a taste of their exquisite product; this time I wasn't taking any chances.  As of now, there are two varieties of soft cheese and two flavors of hard; when in doubt, get one of each!  More on this soon, but hint: I. can't. stop. eating. it.

Afterwards we went for ice cream sundaes at the best ice cream shop in the universe; the fun never ends!

In fact, 89 is still recovering from all of it.