Posted in New York Attractions July 30, 2021 by Lisa Sammons

Few People Know There Are Thousands Of Pounds Of Cheese Hiding In Tunnels Under The Streets Of New York City

We can’t imagine most people would want to explore underneath the streets of New York City. The images conjured up are likely to be filled with rats and sewage. What’s actually hiding under the streets of the Crown Heights Neighborhood in Brooklyn will amaze you!

During these uncertain times, please keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket list to visit at a later date.

Hidden about 30 feet underground is the Crown Finish Caves. It's a cheese aging facility and dairy plant that houses more than 20,000 pounds of artisanal cheeses.

The cheese is stored in brick vaults that were originally used to store beer in the chilly temperatures needed to age it properly. The vaults were used by the historic Nassau Brewing Company, which closed in 1916 due to Prohibition.

These tunnels are around 50 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, which is an ideal temperature for aging cheese. The process, called "affinage" is actually quite complicated and involves turning and piercing big wheels of cheese until they ripen.

Most of the cheeses that are aging in Crown Finish Caves comes from New York or not too far from here. Occasionally, unripe cheeses are shipped from as far away as Italy!

The different varieties of cheese require different processes to age. Some are even washed in beer or cider for a distinct flavor!

Crown Finish Caves isn't open for tours due to the possibility of contaminating the cheese, but they do hold bi-monthly Cave Music events. These concerts are held underground (where the acoustics are great!) and, of course, have cheese available for purchase.

While you aren't able to take tours of the caves, you are able to purchase the delicious goodies that are inside! Their website has an extensive selection of available cheeses.

What a fascinating place and interesting process! For more information about Crown Finish Caves, or photos (that will definitely make you hungry), check out their website.

Address: Crown Finish Caves, 925 Bergen St #101, Brooklyn, NY 11238, USA