Randy Chandler
Applewood cheese, also known as Applewood smoked cheddar, is a semi-hard, white cheddar cheese with a smoky taste. It was first created in 1965 in Somerset, England, and is now manufactured by Norseland Limited (formerly the Ilchester Cheese Company). Despite its name, Applewood is not actually smoked but is instead treated with an artificial smoke flavouring and coated with mild paprika, giving it a golden-amber appearance. The cheese is made from pasteurized cow's milk and can be crumbled or grated over pasta or melted on pork chops. In addition to its dairy version, Applewood also offers a vegan cheese made from coconut oil, yeast extract, and paprika.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Norseland Limited (formerly Ilchester Cheese Company) |
| Place of Origin | Somerset, England |
| Type of Cheese | Cheddar |
| Milk Source | Cow |
| Pasteurized | Yes |
| Density | Semi-hard |
| Colour | White |
| Flavouring | Smoke |
| Natural Smoke Flavouring | Yes/No (varies by brand) |
| Coating | Paprika |
| Texture | Smooth |
| Vegan Option | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
- Applewood cheese is not smoked, but treated with artificial smoke flavouring
- The cheese is coated with mild paprika, giving it a golden-amber appearance
- It is a semi-hard, semi-firm, dense, round, white cheese
- Applewood is made using traditional hand-turned farmhouse Cheddar
- Norseland Limited launched a vegan version of Applewood cheese in 2019
Applewood cheese is not smoked, but treated with artificial smoke flavouring
Applewood cheese, also known as Applewood smoked cheddar, is a round, white, semi-hard cheese with a smoky taste. Despite its name, Applewood cheese is not actually smoked. Instead, it is treated with artificial smoke flavouring to achieve its distinctive smoky flavour. This process involves infusing the cheese with a smoky aroma and taste without exposing it to smoke. The artificial smoke flavouring gives the cheese a similar flavour to that of traditionally smoked cheeses, but without the need for burning wood or smokehouses.
The cheese is manufactured by Norseland Limited (formerly the Ilchester Cheese Company) in Somerset, England. It was first created in 1965 in Ilchester, a town in the heart of Somerset, and has since become a popular variety of cheddar known for its unique flavour and texture.
While the artificial smoke flavouring adds the smoky taste, the cheese also gets its golden-amber appearance and mild spiciness from a coating of paprika. The paprika is either rolled or rubbed onto the formed cheeses, giving them a consistent colour and flavour. This step is important not only for the appearance and taste of the cheese but also for its marketability, as the golden-amber hue is visually appealing and helps to differentiate Applewood from other varieties of cheddar.
In addition to the traditional dairy version, Applewood cheese is also available in a vegan variety. This vegan option is made from a mixture of coconut oil, yeast extract, and paprika, with added smoked flavour and vitamin B12. It was launched in 2019 in collaboration with VBites and has since won awards for its taste and quality, including the Best Vegan Cheese at the FreeFrom Food Awards in 2020.
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The cheese is coated with mild paprika, giving it a golden-amber appearance
Applewood cheese, also known as Applewood smoked cheddar, is coated with mild paprika, which gives it a golden-amber appearance. This coating is applied to the surface of the cheese, giving it a distinctive colour and a slightly spicy aroma. The process of coating the cheese with paprika involves either rolling or rubbing the cheese in the spice, ensuring an even and consistent coverage. This step is crucial in achieving the desired golden-amber hue associated with Applewood cheese.
Paprika is a spice made from ground red peppers, typically with a sweet or mildly pungent flavour. The mild variety used in Applewood cheese adds a subtle warmth and depth of flavour to the cheese without overwhelming its delicate smoky taste. The specific type of paprika used can vary, but it is generally chosen for its bright colour and mild flavour profile.
The addition of paprika not only enhances the flavour of the cheese but also contributes to its overall aesthetic appeal. The golden-amber colour created by the paprika coating evokes a sense of warmth and invites consumers. It adds to the cheese's visual attractiveness, making it stand out on a cheese board or in a display case.
The combination of the smoky flavour and the paprika coating creates a unique sensory experience. The mild paprika enhances the smoky notes without overpowering them, resulting in a well-balanced and delightful taste profile. This harmonious interplay between the spice and the smoke makes Applewood cheese a favourite among cheese enthusiasts.
In the vegan version of Applewood cheese, the paprika plays an even more prominent role. The addition of smoked paprika to the sides of the cheese block enhances the smoky aroma and flavour, creating an enticing sensory experience even before tasting. This innovation in vegan cheese allows for a more complex and satisfying flavour profile, attracting both vegan and non-vegan consumers alike.
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It is a semi-hard, semi-firm, dense, round, white cheese
Applewood cheese, also known as Applewood smoked cheddar, is a semi-hard, semi-firm, dense, round, white cheese. It was first created in 1965 in Ilchester, Somerset, England, and has since become a popular variety of cheddar cheese. Despite its name, Applewood cheese is not actually smoked but is instead treated with artificial smoke flavouring to achieve its distinctive smoky taste. The cheese is made from pasteurized cow's milk and formed into round, dense blocks.
To create the characteristic golden-amber rind, the formed cheeses are coated or rolled in mild paprika, a spice that also contributes to the flavour profile. The process of applying paprika gives the cheese a unique appearance and helps to enhance its smoky aroma and taste. This technique of combining paprika and artificial smoke flavouring allows cheesemakers to mimic the effects of smoking without actually exposing the cheese to smoke.
Applewood cheese has a smooth texture and a delicate smoky flavour. It can be crumbled or grated over pasta, melted on pork chops, or simply enjoyed on its own. The cheese pairs well with sweet accompaniments like apples and raisins, making it a versatile ingredient in various dishes or as a standalone snack. Its semi-hard texture allows for multiple preparation methods, including cooking, melting, and crumbling.
In addition to the traditional dairy version, Applewood cheese is also available in a vegan variety. The vegan version is made from a mixture of coconut oil, yeast extract, paprika, and added smoked flavouring. It has gained popularity for its delicious taste and meltability, offering a satisfying alternative for those who follow a plant-based diet.
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Applewood is made using traditional hand-turned farmhouse Cheddar
Applewood, or Applewood smoked cheddar, is a traditional farmhouse cheddar produced by Norseland Limited (formerly the Ilchester Cheese Company) in Somerset, England. It was first created in 1965 in Ilchester, Somerset, and has since become a popular variety of cheese.
The traditional hand-turned method of making farmhouse Cheddar has been used for centuries and involves turning the curds by hand during the cheesemaking process. This labour-intensive technique helps to carefully drain the whey and develop the cheese's texture and flavour. The curds are cut into small pieces and then gently stirred and turned by hand to encourage the release of moisture. This process is repeated several times until the desired texture and flavour are achieved.
The hand-turning process is a crucial step in the creation of Applewood cheese, as it helps to create its smooth, creamy texture and mild flavour. The cheese is then formed into rounds and treated with smoke flavouring and paprika to give it its unique characteristics.
Applewood cheese is a versatile variety that can be crumbled or grated over pasta, melted on pork chops, or simply enjoyed on its own. It pairs well with sweet apples and raisins and is perfect for cooking, melting, or nibbling. The process of making Applewood cheese using traditional hand-turned farmhouse Cheddar techniques ensures a high-quality, delicious product that has become a favourite among cheese lovers.
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Norseland Limited launched a vegan version of Applewood cheese in 2019
Applewood cheese, or Applewood smoked cheddar, is a round, semi-hard cheese with a smoky flavour. It is manufactured by Norseland Limited (formerly the Ilchester Cheese Company) in Somerset, England. The cheese is made from pasteurised cow's milk and is treated with artificial smoke flavouring and coated with mild paprika, giving it a golden-amber appearance.
In 2019, Norseland Limited launched a vegan version of its popular Applewood cheese. This plant-based product is made without dairy, lactose, soya, gluten, and palm oil. It is coconut-based and has the same smoked flavour as the original cheese. The vegan Applewood cheese was launched in collaboration with VBites and is available in pre-sliced packages, blocks, and grated forms. The launch of Applewood Vegan was met with high demand, with 40% of Asda stores that stocked it selling out on the first day. The product won the award for Best Vegan Cheese at the FreeFrom Food Awards in 2020.
Norseland Limited has since expanded the Applewood Vegan brand globally, securing listings in food retailers in Canada and Europe. The company has also introduced new products under the brand, including Applewood Vegan Slices and a festive selection featuring smoky Applewood and spicy Mexicana vegan cheeses. The success of Applewood Vegan has made Norseland the first major UK dairy company to introduce a vegan cheese alternative.
The demand for vegan cheese alternatives has been increasing, with online searches for Applewood Vegan rising by 150% and UK sales of Applewood Vegan accounting for 20% of total UK sales of Applewood. The popularity of the product has allowed Norseland to work on new innovations and expand its range of vegan cheese alternatives, such as Mexicana Vegan and the Ilchester Vegan Festive Selection.
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Frequently asked questions
Applewood, or Applewood smoked cheddar, is a round, white, semi-hard smoke-flavoured cheddar cheese.
Applewood is a traditional farmhouse cheddar produced by Norseland Ltd. (formerly The Ilchester Cheese Company) in Somerset, England. It is made using pasteurized cow's milk and is infused with artificial smoky flavouring and coated with mild paprika.
No, Applewood cheese is not smoked. It is treated with artificial smoke flavouring. However, some brands are made with natural smoke flavouring added to them, and others are smoking the cheeses using wood from apple trees.
Applewood cheese was first created in 1965 in Ilchester, Somerset, England.
Yes, in 2019, Norseland Limited launched a vegan version of their Applewood cheese in collaboration with VBites. It is made from a mixture of coconut oil, yeast extract, paprika, smoked flavour and vitamin B12.
