The Big Cheese Bracket: Day 5

On January 13, 2012 at 7:30 pm in Persephone Bracket

Welcome back! Day 4 was a tough one, huh? Definitely the closest matches we’ve seen so far!
By the way, OH HEY I HAVE A SURPRISE FOR YOU…
WILD CARD!!

Selecting the cheeses for the tournament was a grueling process—there was much weeping as I cut numerous cheeses from the final list. I relied on my own knowledge, polls of popular cheeses, and quite a bit of tumblrsourcing. However, thanks to your comments, I have recognized a few particularly egregious omissions; they should have been included, and frankly, would have seeded higher than a few of the cheeses I did include (not that I would ever have denied myself the pleasure of pitting Cheddar and American against each other). I’m shocked and embarassed that I didn’t think of them myself, especially as I eat them all semi-regularly!

To rectify the situation, I am adding two wild card match-ups. The winners of each match-up will then go against each other, and the champion will be pitted against a Round 2 cheese in a run-off match.

So, Persephoneers, prepare your cases for: Queso Fresco! Muenster! Paneer! Oaxaca!

You’ve got the weekend to make it happen–may the best cheese triumph!

Results from Day 4:
Asiago 76% v. Halloumi 24%
Fontina 57% v. Manchego 43%
Monterey Jack 61% v. Emmentaler 39%
Cream Cheese 65% v. Stilton 35%

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Tags: cheese, cheese bracket, cheese is awesome, delicious cheese

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45 responses to The Big Cheese Bracket: Day 5

Esprit-follet said on January 15, 2012 at 10:05 am

Haha Paneer.

Also is there a list of cheeses that can be eaten alone versus those that must be eaten with bread, etc?
- 14KGold said on January 15, 2012 at 7:53 pm
  
  Technically, nothing *needs* bread. It’s just often easier, with the soft/runny cheeses and whatnot. Some of the strongest stuff is better with bread because it offers some relief to the taste buds… but of course, that’s only if it’s too strong for you ;)
  - [E] pileofmonkeys said on January 15, 2012 at 8:17 pm
    
    Everything needs bread. Everything, always.
ReginaChristina said on January 15, 2012 at 10:03 am

I’m getting a bit overly emotional over this. I get like this during this portion of the lunar calendar and cheese in a great comfort.
bitch-goddess said on January 14, 2012 at 12:36 pm

I’m all about the Mexican/Latino cheeses! I wouldn’t be true to my heart if I voted otherwise!

MMMMM, I really want some chili rellenos now.
[M] freckle said on January 14, 2012 at 11:47 am

Paneer! Because it was the first cheese name I could utter as a toddler freckle.
veruna said on January 13, 2012 at 11:49 pm

I can’t pick! Gah! Muenster or Queso Fresco? I love them both! No! Don’t make me choose!
Tequila Mockingbird said on January 13, 2012 at 11:36 pm

Paneer! Must vote for paneer. Because really, we’re all kind of paneers here.
- Meghan Young Krogh said on January 14, 2012 at 12:30 pm
  
  HA. P’neer, Paneer, same diff.
rah29 said on January 13, 2012 at 9:11 pm

Guys, seriously, yesterday’s results were COMPLETELY WRONG. We’re talking every single one. Come on! Cream cheese isn’t even really cheese!!!!

I am going to eat a huge quantity of Epoisses in protest.
- msophelia said on January 14, 2012 at 2:44 pm
  
  right behind you, with a wedge of manchego…
- Esprit-follet said on January 15, 2012 at 10:07 am
  
  What are all these cheeses I have never heard about! Where do I obtain this information from??
Kiisu said on January 13, 2012 at 8:05 pm

Really? Fontina over Manchego? BORING.
Sparkle Motion said on January 13, 2012 at 8:00 pm

I don’t know these cheeses.
I may have spent too much money on cheese at the grocery store today. I tried to find ones I hadn’t tried before from this competition, but the selection was sadly limited.
- 14KGold said on January 14, 2012 at 6:28 pm
  
  Give yourself time to explore the cheeses :) Aside from availability, there are still lots of varieties! I just tried three new-to-me cheeses today.
  - [E] pileofmonkeys said on January 14, 2012 at 6:42 pm
    
    Trader Joe’s is pretty much the best ever for exploring new cheeses. They have fairly obscure stuff, and it’s way less expensive that at the artisan cheese shops. Although the artisan cheese shops are AWESOME.
Mini said on January 13, 2012 at 7:56 pm

I might have to withdraw my support of Feta in favor of paneer. In fact, I know I will. Paneer is awesome
- Meghan Young Krogh said on January 13, 2012 at 9:11 pm
  
  I knew there was a reason I liked you, Mini.
  - Mini said on January 13, 2012 at 10:21 pm
    
    You mean besides my dashing good looks that you could sense through the computer?
    - Meghan Young Krogh said on January 14, 2012 at 12:43 pm
      
      Basically, yes.
forestine said on January 13, 2012 at 7:48 pm

Palak paneer is amazing. Also, I shouldn’t have clicked on the cheese post while hungry.
- Slay Beau said on January 13, 2012 at 9:29 pm
  
  I used to judge new Indian restaurants solely on the quality of their palak paneer.
  - Meghan Young Krogh said on January 13, 2012 at 9:52 pm
    
    You don’t anymore!?
    - Slay Beau said on January 14, 2012 at 9:24 pm
      
      Well, no. I sort of fell out of the habit. My new go to for a new place is anything acchari. I prefer south Indian food, which is hard to find in the US, and palak paneer is a northern dish. Acchar (a STRONG pickle, if it’s made right) reminds me of the south.
Crystal Coleman said on January 13, 2012 at 7:47 pm

Team Muenster FOREVAR!!! I can’t even tell you how excited I am that it’s included now.
Stephanie said on January 13, 2012 at 7:46 pm

Bwahaha, all of my selections from yesterday won! Though picking between muenster and queso fresco was difficult.
- Crystal Coleman said on January 13, 2012 at 7:47 pm
  
  Mine, too! Great minds.
Lauren sMash said on January 13, 2012 at 7:44 pm

Stilton lost to Cream Cheese? Manchego lost PERIOD?

Good call adding paneer into the mix!
- [E] pileofmonkeys said on January 13, 2012 at 8:51 pm
  
  I am only 50% satisfied with yesterday’s results. Fortunately, I’m not too heavily invested in any of them.
Caitlinface said on January 13, 2012 at 7:44 pm

Oh hooray, my love Oaxaca has time to shine! It makes me want to go to the store RIGHT NOW and buy some. Just to eat. By itself. Though melted between two tortillas with bits puddling out and browning on the edges and dipped in pico de gallo…

…that’s it, quesadillas are tomorrow night’s dinner plan.
- brenbrowning said on January 14, 2012 at 12:27 am
  
  Mmm! you are making me so hungry right now.
[E] Slay Belle said on January 13, 2012 at 7:40 pm

I voted, but to be honest, unless someone else is buying it, I usually eat American and mild cheddar. I am not cheese-venturous.
- Lauren sMash said on January 13, 2012 at 7:46 pm
  
  Yep, me too. My SO and I just picked up a HUGE bag of shredded cheddar and we are putting it on everything. Ain’t no shame in your game.
milly parkhurst said on January 13, 2012 at 7:38 pm

manchego AND STILTON lost.

WTF IS GOING ON HERE.
Slay Beau said on January 13, 2012 at 7:35 pm

Of course paneer. It was the first cheese I learned how to make and the only one I make regularly. Oh, and queso fresco. Just started using that in my rellenos. Yum.
- Fleursdelysa said on January 14, 2012 at 7:46 pm
  
  I’ve still never made it by myself but my mother and I went through a brief period where we made it a lot. It’s so easy! And so good!
  
  On a related note, I know what I’m doing on my federally-mandated day off Monday…
  - Slay Beau said on January 14, 2012 at 9:25 pm
    
    Something American, I hope. ;)
mxandb said on January 13, 2012 at 7:34 pm

GAME CHANGER! This is so exciting!
Meghan Young Krogh said on January 13, 2012 at 7:33 pm

PANEER! I am eating this tonight in support of the great paneer.
- Mini said on January 13, 2012 at 10:24 pm
  
  Ooh, what kind? Sag paneer? Palak paneer? Matar paneer? Kufta? Korma? Tikka?
  
  I know why too many ways to prepare South Asian cheese dishes off the top of my head…
  - jen* said on January 14, 2012 at 12:03 am
    
    Mini – I like the way you think. I would go for some aloo gobi matar paneer if it wasn’t already late and I wasn’t already full.
    
    (Sometimes I wish there was a way to just have lovely tastes in your mouth without always eating food.)
    - 14KGold said on January 14, 2012 at 12:03 pm
      
      I’ve never had aloo matar gobi (which happens to be my favorite Indian dish ever) with paneer. I sense a situation that must be changed!
      - Meghan Young Krogh said on January 14, 2012 at 12:58 pm
        
        I had masala paneer over some pulao. AND IT WAS GOOD.
- anhiebananhie said on January 14, 2012 at 8:54 pm
  
  I’m loving this paneer love. <3

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