Patrick Oconnell
Cheddar cheese is a beloved food in America, ranking at the top of favourite cheese surveys. It is named after the English village of Cheddar, where it was first created in the 11th century. Cheddar is made from cultured milk and rennet, and it is aged until ready to be eaten. Like many dairy products, cheddar is rich in calcium, which is important for bone health. However, cheddar also has a high vitamin content and is calorie-dense. It is also high in saturated fat, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Despite this, research indicates that eating cheddar in moderation may help lower cholesterol, especially for middle-aged adults. Cheddar cheese also has a high protein content, which can add significantly to daily intake. In terms of animal fat content, cheddar cheese does contain animal fat as it is made from milk, which is an animal-derived food.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Animal Fat | Yes, cheddar cheese has animal fat as it is made from milk, which is an animal-derived food. Clothbound cheddars are coated with lard. |
| Calories | Cheddar cheese is calorie-dense. A 30g portion of cheese provides seven per cent of your daily calories. |
| Saturated Fat | Cheddar cheese has a high content of saturated fat. |
| Cholesterol | Cheddar cheese has been linked to lower cholesterol levels, especially in middle-aged adults. |
| Bone Health | Cheddar cheese is a good source of calcium and has been linked to higher bone mineral density and lower fracture risk. |
| Dental Health | Cheddar cheese may enhance dental health and protect against dental cavities. |
| Blood Pressure | Cheddar cheese has been linked to lower blood pressure. |
| Lactose | Cheddar cheese is quite low in lactose. |
| Protein | Cheddar cheese is a good source of protein. |
| Vitamins | Cheddar cheese has a high vitamin content, including vitamin A and vitamin D. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Animal fats in cheddar cheese come from the milk it's made from
- Clothbound cheddars are coated with lard while being wrapped
- Cheddar is high in saturated fat, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease
- Full-fat cheddars may be the better choice for weight management
- Grass-fed cheddar has more omega-3 fatty acids and twice as much CLA
Animal fats in cheddar cheese come from the milk it's made from
Cheddar cheese is a beloved food, regularly ranking at the top of favourite cheese surveys in the United States. It is named after the English village of Cheddar, where it was first created in the 11th century.
Cheddar cheese is made from milk, which is an animal-derived food. Therefore, it contains animal fats. The amount of fat in cheddar cheese depends on the type of milk used. For example, if cheddar is made from low-fat or fat-free milk, it will be low-fat or fat-free. Cheddar made from whole milk will be high in fat.
In addition to animal fats, cheddar cheese also contains calcium, protein, vitamin A, phosphorus, and small amounts of zinc, selenium, and riboflavin. These nutrients offer a variety of health benefits, including lower cholesterol, stronger bones, and improved dental health.
However, it is important to consume cheddar cheese in moderation due to its high-calorie count, sodium content, and saturated fat content. Excessive consumption of saturated fats can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and other cardiovascular problems.
Cheddar Cheese: A Descriptive Guide to Its Taste and Texture
You may want to see also
Clothbound cheddars are coated with lard while being wrapped
Clothbound cheddars are wrapped in cloth, which serves as "packaging" and helps limit moisture loss and form a hard rind. This method of wrapping cheese in cloth was first used by English cheesemakers in the 1600s and later by colonial cheesemakers in New England. However, due to the hot summers in New England, the cheese would often dry out too quickly. To counteract this, Yankee cheesemakers started covering the cloth wrapping with a layer of lard, a technique still used today in cheddars like Cabot Clothbound Cheddar. The lard never touches the cheese itself, only the cloth, and helps keep in the moisture so that the cheese matures more evenly.
The clothbound method of ageing cheese results in a drier and crumblier texture and a more condensed, developed, earthy flavour compared to wax-coated cheddars. The process is lengthy and labour-intensive, and the cheese wheels are regularly monitored and assessed by specialists called affineurs, who guide the cheese's progression into a complexly flavoured cheddar.
The clothbound method fell out of favour with the advent of wax-coated cheddars, which fully sealed the cheese and shielded it from outside elements, eliminating the need for careful monitoring of the ageing process. Wax-coated cheddars also left cheesemakers with more cheese to sell, as they eliminated evaporation and shrinkage. However, the taste of wax-coated cheddar does not compare to the clothbound version, which has a more developed flavour.
Today, clothbound cheddars are typically made by smaller producers and tend to be more expensive due to the labour-intensive process and the use of higher-quality milk from healthier cows and more sustainable producers.
Black Diamond Cheddar Cheese: Where to Buy This Treat?
You may want to see also
Cheddar is high in saturated fat, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease
Cheddar cheese is a beloved snack and cooking ingredient, regularly ranking at the top of favourite cheese surveys. It is named after the English village of Cheddar, where it was first created in the 11th century.
Cheddar is a whole-milk cheese, made from a mixture of cultured milk and rennet, an enzyme taken from the stomach lining of calves. It is aged until ready to be eaten, which results in a firm texture and strong flavour.
Cheddar is high in saturated fat, with 6 grams per ounce, and it has been traditionally advised to consume a diet low in saturated fat to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Eating foods high in saturated fat can increase cholesterol levels, which is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, some studies have indicated that eating cheddar in moderation may help lower cholesterol levels, especially in middle-aged adults. This effect has been attributed to the "cheese matrix", referring to the arrangement of proteins and calcium in cheese, which offers various health benefits.
Research is ongoing, and new studies suggest that the saturated fat in whole foods like cheese may not have as detrimental an effect on heart health as previously believed. Furthermore, some types of cheddar, such as those sourced from 100% grass-fed animals, contain conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a healthy fat that may help prevent obesity and heart disease and reduce inflammation.
In summary, while it is important to be aware of the high saturated fat content in cheddar cheese, it can still be enjoyed as part of a healthy diet in moderation.
Cheddar Cheese: Soft or Hard?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Full-fat cheddars may be the better choice for weight management
Cheddar cheese is a popular semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk. It is named after the English village of Cheddar, where it was first created in the 11th century. Cheddar is a rich source of calcium, providing 20% of the daily recommended value per ounce. It also contains vitamin K2, which is important for preventing calcium buildup in arteries and veins, thus reducing the risk of heart disease.
Despite its nutritional benefits, cheddar cheese has a high-calorie count and is particularly high in saturated fat, with 10 grams of total fat and 6 grams of saturated fat per ounce. For this reason, it has been associated with weight gain and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, new research suggests that the saturated fat in whole foods like cheese may not have as detrimental an effect on heart health as previously believed.
Interestingly, recent studies have suggested that full-fat dairy products may be a better choice for weight management than their low-fat counterparts. This phenomenon is known as the "full-fat dairy paradox." Research indicates that consuming full-fat dairy products like cheddar cheese may not increase the risk of death from heart attacks, even for those over the age of 65. In fact, one study found that participants who ate full-fat cheese had more success in lowering their cholesterol levels compared to those who consumed reduced-fat cheese or butter.
While cheddar cheese should be enjoyed in moderation, especially by those with high cholesterol or blood pressure, its high protein and calcium content can contribute to feelings of fullness and help with weight management. Additionally, the ageing process of cheddar cheese makes it quite low in lactose, making it a good option for those who are lactose intolerant.
Cheddar Cheese With Jalapeno Peppers: Gluten-Free or Not?
You may want to see also
Grass-fed cheddar has more omega-3 fatty acids and twice as much CLA
Cheddar cheese is a beloved food in America and is also popular in the UK and Australia. It is a high-fat cheese, with a fairly high level of saturated fat compared to other dairy products. Eating foods high in saturated fat can increase cholesterol levels and the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, research indicates that people over 65 may be able to eat full-fat dairy products such as cheddar without increasing their risk of heart attack.
Cheddar cheese is also a good source of calcium, which is important for bone health and blood clotting. It also contains protein. However, it is recommended that cheddar be consumed in moderation due to its high-fat content.
Grass-fed cheddar has more omega-3 fatty acids than conventional cheddar. Omega-3 fats are important for heart and metabolic health. A study by the University of Minnesota found that grass-fed milk has a healthier profile of fatty acids, with a more balanced ratio of omega-6 to omega-3. This is because cows get their omega-3s from grass, while grains such as corn are high in omega-6s and contain very little omega-3.
Grass-fed cheddar also has twice as much CLA as conventional cheddar. CLA is a beneficial fatty acid that has been linked to a loss of body fat and a reduced risk of heart attack. It is also a healthy fat that may help prevent obesity and heart disease, and may reduce inflammation. CLA is synthesized in the bellies of ruminants from linoleic acid (LA), which is more abundant in grass than in grains.
Cheddar's Color: Why Sharp Cheddar Cheese is Orange
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, cheddar cheese has animal fat. All cheese is high in animal fat from the milk it's made of.
Animal fat is fat that comes from animals. In the case of cheese, the animal fat comes from the milk used to make the cheese.
No, some cheddars are made from soy milk or rice milk and do not contain animal fat. However, they will have whatever fat content the milk has or whatever fat has been added to stabilize the cheese.
Research indicates that people over 65 may be able to eat full-fat dairy products without increasing their risk of death from heart attacks. However, a high intake of saturated fat can increase the risk of diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular problems.
Cheddar cheese is a good source of calcium, which is important for bone health. It also contains vitamin A, phosphorus, and small amounts of zinc, selenium, and riboflavin.
