Beehive ~ Queen Bee Porcini Cheddar

Buttery, earthy, umami cheddar. Rich, earthy porcini amplifies the cheese's natural savoriness, creating layers of buttery, umami-packed complexity.

Uses of Queen Bee Porcini Cheddar

1. Cheese Boards & Appetizers

• Serve with crackers, charcuterie, fresh fruit, or nuts.
• Pair with honey, fig jam, or truffle oil for elevated flavor.

2. Sandwiches & Burgers

• Melt on a grilled cheese, panini, or gourmet burger.
• Adds depth to turkey, roast beef, or mushroom sandwiches.

3. Pasta & Risotto

• Stir into risotto or creamy pasta dishes for earthy richness.
• Grate over mushroom, spinach, or roasted vegetable pasta.

4. Soups & Stews

• Blend into potato, mushroom, or root vegetable soups for umami boost.
• Top French onion or creamy chowders for extra depth.

5. Baking & Savory Pastries

• Use in quiches, tarts, or savory scones.
• Add to puff pastry appetizers with herbs or caramelized onions.

Store between 33-40 degrees. Avoid fluctuations outside this range, avoid storing near bloomy rind cheeses.

Porcini mushrooms are a delicacy most commonly found in Italy, prized for their deep, earthy flavor. We were lucky enough to have a friend who imported beautiful foods from Italy, including dried porcini mushrooms. Over time, as the mushrooms tumbled together in their bags, they left behind a fine layer of porcini dust—tiny golden flecks of concentrated flavor.

Instead of letting this magic dust go to waste, our friend began saving it up for us. When he had enough, he’d send it our way, and we’d rub it onto our cheese. The result? A flavor unlike anything we’d ever tasted. The umami-rich porcini powder amplified the natural savoriness of our cheddar, creating a cheese that was complex, buttery, and deeply satisfying.

One of the most fascinating parts of working with porcini dust was its ever-changing color. Depending on the season the mushrooms were harvested, the powder would come in shades ranging from golden brown to deep rust red, adding to the uniqueness of each batch.

Queen Bee Porcini was born from this unexpected gift—a cheese that proves sometimes the best flavors come from the finest details.