The Potsdam Food Co-op’s Cheese of the Month for April is Maple Smoked Cheddar from the Grafton Village Cheese Company in Vermont. Purchases of this award winning cheese will receive 10% off for the entire month of April.

A New England classic at the Grafton Village Cheese Company is their Maple Smoked Cheddar; an artisanal cheese that brings together two of Vermont’s classic industries – cheddar cheese and maple syrup. It is made from the raw hormone-free milk collected from Vermont’s small family farms and is cold-smoked over maple and hardwood, a process that imparts its signature aroma. It has a mild buttery texture and a taste that is complex and intense with a long delicious finish and an uncharacteristic sweetness for cheddar.

Pair Maple Smoked Cheddar with medium-bodied red wines such as Pinot Noir or Merlot, or full flavored beers such as brown ale or porter. Serve it with dried apricots and cured meats on a cheese board, or with apples and crusty bread. Maple Smoked Cheddar adds a wonderful depth to ham or roast beef sandwiches smeared with mustard. Melt it on a burger or include it in an omelette for a sweet smoky twist. It is also excellent for slicing, grating, or snacking.

The Grafton Village Cheese Company has been making cheese since 1892 and is part of the Windham Foundation; dedicated to preserving Vermont’s rural way of life by supporting local food initiatives, land conservation for public use, environmental protection, social services, cultural resources, educational programs, and historic preservation.