The Case For Topping Your Smoothie With Cheese - Yep, You Read That Right - Tasting Table

"Once burned, twice shy, I decided to start simple, adding a few spoonfuls of Italian mascarpone. Despite initial reservations, the result was pleasantly surprising. The mascarpone blended effortlessly with some frozen berries and water - and dolloping another spoonful on top, it resembled a cheesy parfait. The first taste revealed a delightful creaminess, which softened some of the tang from the harsher-tasting berries like blackcurrants. Delicious."

"Let's be honest, cheese is too often restricted to savory-only categories. Yet softer types, like mascarpone, play an important role in layered desserts, including tiramisu and cheesecake. Yes, moderation is key (some cheeses have higher levels of saturated fat and sodium than others). But, overall, cheesy smoothies are both flavorsome and nutritional - adding calcium and protein to recipes already rich in fruit-based fiber. My faith in fromage is restored. Yours should be, too."

"Be careful what you sprinkle over smoothies. Not every queso gets the green light; the trick to incorporating cheese in your smoothies like a real foodie is understanding texture. Colombian hot chocolates use semi-hard Oaxacan or Swiss, but that's because the heat melts them. In cold smoothies, softer cheeses are the way forward for easy blending. Anything squishy is fair game; think whipped, cottage, cream, ricotta, or even brie."

Cheese can enhance smoothies by adding creaminess, protein, and calcium, especially when using soft, spreadable varieties. Mascarpone blends smoothly with frozen berries and water, creating a parfait-like texture and softening sharp berry tangs. Colder beverages require soft, squishy cheeses for easy blending, while semi-hard cheeses are used in hot drinks because heat melts them. Examples of suitable cheeses include whipped, cottage, cream, ricotta, mascarpone, and even brie. Nutritional benefits must be balanced with moderation due to some cheeses' saturated fat and sodium content. Cheesy smoothies combine flavor and nutrition alongside fruit-based fiber.

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