Happy free cheese sample Thursday! Today we have local smoked mozzarella from Maplebrook Farm in Bennington, VT.

Here is what the creamery has to say about their confection. Our 8oz handmade fresh mozzarella balls and 4lb loaves are smoked minutes after they are made for optimum freshness and flavor. This is a naturally smoked product, with no liquid smoke or coloring added. Our custom smoker smolders dampened cherry wood chips, producing smoke that circulates through a low speed fan. This creates a delicate smoke flavor with a desirably thin skin. The cheese rests on racks in the smoker for no more than 2 ½ hours before it is cooled and then hand wrapped. Recipe Suggestions: mozzarella sticks, pizza, grilled veggies. Pairing Suggestions: Pinot Noir, German Witbier.

Supporting local cheese makers not only strengthens our local economy, but also our local culture!