Say cheese at Reading Terminal

By Kevin Sacherman

With the opening of its latest specialty cheese vendor, Reading Terminal Market has become a strong contender for Philadelphia's top cheese destination. The Valley Shepherd Creamery, which opened last month, is already receiving accolades for their freshly prepared mozzarella as well as a wide assortment of carefully crafted cheese from their dairy in Long Valley, New Jersey.

Reading Terminal, already home to cheesemongers at Downtown Cheese, and Salumeria International Cheese, now provides access to cheeses for any occasion. Here the latest picks straight for the cheese mongers for the most delicious dairy products to pick up on your next spin through the market.

Valley Shepherd Creamery

Must buys:

Fresh mozzarella. It's available daily starting around 11:30 a.m. Plan to linger a few minutes to watch this classic cheese take shape at the hands of cheesemaker Jamie Png. This cheese is anything but the grated topping found on American pizzas; eat it before refrigeration for the ideal texture. $9/lb

Valley Thunder. This aged farmhouse cheddar is a favorite of cheesemonger Zeke Ferguson. Plans are underway to begin production of this cheese on site. $24/lb

Salumeria International Cheese 

Must buys:

Parmigiano di Bufala. This is an Italian buffalo milk parmesan, a spin on the classic Italian hard cheese. $25/lb

Moliterno al tartufo. This sardinian sheep's milk cheese is flavored with truffles. It's a rich cheese with an earthy personality. $35/lb

Mandaroni Provolone. An extra sharp aged provolone, this cheese owes its sharp, lasting bite to the addition of a unique enzyme. It is aged in distinct hanging sacks. $30/lb

Downtown Cheese

Must buy:

Abbaye de Bellocq. This sheep's milk cheese from the French Basque Country is smooth and creamy. $35/lb

Table Matters is an online magazine at the intersection of food, drink, and culture, published by Drexel University's Center for Cultural Outreach.