How to Spot an Artisanal Cheese Huckster
Signs and Symptoms
- Exorbitant pricing (>$20/lb for a block of cheddar? That's not artisanal, that's highway robbery!)
- Mandatory use of the phrase "small batch" to sound impressive
- Use of unnecessary buzzwords: "hand-crafted", "locally sourced", "micro-portioned"
- Overly dramatic labeling: "Truffle infused, artisanal, organic, gluten-free, non-GMO, artisanal, small-batch, locally-made, artisanal, hand-crafted, artisanal, artisanal, artisanal, artisanal, artisanal..."
Don't be swayed by the artisanal cheese huckster's tricks! Stay informed, stay alert!
Subtleties
- Check the label for the number of 'artisnals' used
- Ask the huckster to describe their 'process'
- Request a taste test
- Watch for inconsistencies in their story
Next Steps
Take a deep breath, put on your best "I've seen this before" face, and politely walk away.
Or better yet, Go to Next Steps
Learn more about the origins of this scam.
See a list of notable artisanal cheese hucksters.