Yet anyone who’s ever gone shopping for cheese knows that those basic ingredients can yield fascinatinglydifferent cheeses.

How do you choose a cheese you’ll love?

The easiest way is to get a general understanding of six basic types of cheese.

An assortment of cheeses labeled on board

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Start with this cheese guide, and we’ll have you talking like a cheese pro in no time.

As they age, they become more firm and pungent.

Look for these cheese names when seeking great graters!

Cheese board with various fresh cheeses

Credit:Kelsey Hansen

The flavor ranges from mild to assertive to quite pungent.

Cheese board with various soft-ripened cheeses

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Cheese board with various semi-soft cheeses

Credit:Kelsey Hansen

Cheese board with various hard cheeses

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Cheese board with various blue cheeses

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Charcuterie board of cheese, crackers and jam

Credit:Kelsey Hansen