For those students who believe cheese comes in just white or yellow and the most gourmet coffee flavor is French vanilla, there's a learning experience called the Cheese Shoppe, 234 E. Calder Way.

The tiny shop may seem a bit too small when you first step in, but that's because cool stuff is crammed into every square inch. The front window display has a dozen of those enormous coffee bean sacks, encircling a model grinder that I wish I had more time to check out.

Another hour could be spent just looking at the gourmet food items taking up the shop walls. There are jams and jellies of several flavors, marinades containing every possible spice and Irish oatmeal. It's not clear what makes it Irish, but when it doesn't have the colonial guy on the box, it's exotic.

And the chocolate -- oh, the chocolate. I didn't realize chocolate could be sorted by percentage of cocoa, but I would soon find out. There is a variety of brands and assortments, and the pieces of dark chocolate I tasted were amazing.

When it comes to the main event -- cheese -- this is definitely the best place. There are countless kinds behind the counter, with helpful lists posted organizing each cheese by country of origin.

I admit I know nothing about cheese, but not to worry. The girl behind the counter was very friendly and knew her stuff. I have to admit I was a little taken aback when she first asked, "Hard or soft cheese?" I blurted out an answer, though I had never thought of it that way.

The salesclerk was really patient and offered free slices as well as information about each cheese.

I ended up staying on the safe side and bought some English cheddar. My companion was much more adventurous and bought some Old Amsterdam, a type of gouda cheese. I shy away from dairy products with the word "old" in the title, and I didn't care much for its slightly unpleasant odor. He enjoyed it, though, because he likes the bitterness of gouda.

The Cheese Shoppe could also bill itself as a gift shop. If you're looking to buy something for the caffeine lover in your life, the upscale chai mixes and loose tea leaves would make excellent gifts. Everything's on the expensive side, but the high-quality products make for unique presents.

While you're standing around, pondering how to pronounce half of the cheese names, it's nice to have a cup of coffee in your hand, and boy, do they know coffee, too.

Online, the Cheese Shoppe shares a site with W.C. Clarke's Freshly Roasted Coffees (www.wcclarke.com), and you can purchase coffee from any region you can think of.

In the store itself, the price can't be beat. Cups of coffee range from $1 to $1.50, and you serve yourself from the 10 or so varieties ready-made on the front counter. Aside from the usual regular and decaf, there are a few foreign choices.

One friend chose a cup of hazelnut flavored java, while another branched out with a Mexican Altura Coatepec blend. He said the Mexican coffee was simply the best he ever had. Same compliments for the hazelnut.

When looking through the online site, I noticed a statement claiming that because the shop is so busy in the morning rush, customers can just throw their cash on the counter, and make their own change if necessary. I thought that was cute but didn't quite believe it until I went to the shop. I had to laugh when I looked down and saw a pile of dollar bills and loose change on the counter next to the coffee. Truth in advertising does exist.

The only drawback to the shop is the lack of space. Outside, there is a patio with several tables and chairs, but in the freezing weather, it was slightly awkward to peruse all the shelves and pick out cheese without bumping
into another customer.

The place has charm, though -- along with tempting cheese and coffee choices.