unpasteurized cheese... really no?

[rcr]

DH and I just had a 9-hour layover in Amsterdam, which was just enough time to take the train to the city and buy cheese (we got 75 euros worth!). Now, finally, after almost 2 years of trying, we are pregnant, and the cheese is calling my name. Is anybody still eating unpasteurized while pregnant? We drink raw milk, so I am obviously not too concerned with what many call the dangers of eating unpasteurized stuff. I am not sure what do do... I love cheese, and the stuff we bought is soooo yummy!

[MaerynPearl]

Id be more concerned about do you feel like you are buying it from somewhere that you would trust, whether pregnant or not?

I would eat unpasteurized cheese, yes. If I felt like it was prepared in a safe way.

[blessedwithboys]

Even though raw milk is can't be legally sold for human consumption in my state, raw cheese can. The theory is that a minimun of six months of aging reducing risk of bacterial overgrowth.

Do you know if the cows were pastured? If the milk is "safe" the cheese will be fine, IMO.

[echospiritwarrior]

I have eaten raw cheese this pregnancy. I trust the farmers whom I purchase it from.

[rparker]

I've eaten raw aged cheeses during both pregnancies. I'd probably eat less aged cheeses as well if I weren't a picky eater (i.e. my reluctance has nothing to do with food safety). I say go for it

[Baby~Braatens~Mama]

I agree with the pp's. If you trust it, and you want it, go for it!

[rcr]

oooh, thanks. That is all the reassurance I need, which is a good thing because I brought it to work for lunch today

[m0xxie]

I absolutely advise you not to eat a bite of it, and instead send it all to me, so I can safely "dispose" of it ;-)

[CherryBomb]

I'd eat it, unless the shop looked dirty or something. I eat raw milk cheese and unpasteurized eggs from my chickens .

[EllisH]

From a cheeselover in Amsterdam: did you get soft cheese or hard cheese? The best of (hard) Dutch cheese is made of unpasteurized milk ('boerenkaas'), but you can safely eat any hard (yellowish) cheese as in the ageing process, which can take up to several years, any possible bacterias will have been killed. This is a general recommendation, not just my personal view. In fact, there really is no such thing as 'raw aged' cheese - the 'cheese' isn't raw any more as it is in soft cheese made from raw milk. Enjoy!!

[Earthy Mama]

Originally Posted by m0xxie

I absolutely advise you not to eat a bite of it, and instead send it all to me, so I can safely "dispose" of it ;-)

I disagree. Send it to me.

What kind of cheese was it?

[rcr]

EllisH - I lived in Amsterdam for a summer - I don't know the kind of cheese (but all hard cheese), but it was all really yummy. We just went into the shop (a nice shop that was near my old apartment, which I somehow managed to get us to even though it has been a long time since I was there), and tasted lots of cheese and ended up buying a bunch of stuff.

I ate some for lunch. Thanks.

[EllisH]

rcr, glad you had some and enjoyed it! I love to have it even more now that I am pregnant (so I was keen to reassure you!). I find the best one the matured farmer's cheese (oude boerenkaas): it's crumbly and salty and a little bit caramelly. By the way, where in Amsterdam did you live (but there's cheese shops on every corner, as you know...)?

[Pippi L.]

I'm jealous! I want some of that cheese!

[CookAMH]

I eat all kinds of raw dairy and love it!