Cheeses with a Kick

My favorite nibbling cheeses are the ones that have a spicy kick. I find the addicting peppery flavor and  pleasurable heat oh-so satisfying. I love anything containing pepper, even if it makes my nose run and eyes water. There are a lot of pepper-flecked, spice-laced cheeses out there, but these stand out above the rest. And don't worry, you won't be running for the milk!

Marco Polo
The base of Beecher's Marco Polo is one of my favorite cheeses of all time, Flagship. Flagship has the nutty flavor of Gruyère and the sharpness of a nice aged cheddar. And when you add green and black peppercorns in the mix, you have a cheese that's bursting with flavor. The heat level is mild and the peppercorns tastes so fresh, almost as if they have just been milled. 

For more information about Beecher's Flagship, see my "Must-Try Cheese" post.

Sonoma Hot Pepper Jack
This cheese is delightfully creamy. It's smooth and almost melts in your mouth. The heat is less pronounced when eaten with other foods. But, if eaten by itself, you will notice the heat. It's like a tickle- a good tickle, that leaves you wanting more. 

Image via Boudin Bakery
My "Cheese Spotlight" post provides additional information about Sonoma Jack cheeses.

Mike's Firehouse Jack
Mike's Firehouse Jack from Petaluma is truly a unique cheese. You can actually taste the individual red and jalapeño peppers. And the hints of cilantro, parsley and spices make it that much more flavorful. I can gobble this up!

****If you're looking for something fiery, definitely check out Cabot's Hot Habanero Cheddar. I'm warning you, it's HOTTTTT.