Randy Chandler
Cheddar cheese is one of the world's most popular cheeses, but it wasn't always this way. In fact, nobody had tasted cheddar until the 12th century, when it was first created in the village of Cheddar in Somerset, England. The cheese is believed to have been born out of necessity, as farmers in the area had a surplus of milk and no refrigeration or adequate transport to move it. While there are many origin stories, one popular myth is that a milkmaid forgot about a pail of milk, and when she returned, she found it had turned into cheddar.
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What You'll Learn
- Cheddar cheese was likely invented in the village of Cheddar, Somerset, England
- The origin story involves a milkmaid forgetting about a pail of milk
- It was popular in English royal banquets, with King Henry II declaring it the best cheese in Britain
- The cheese was standardised and modernised by 19th-century Somerset dairyman Joseph Harding
- During World War II, milk production was taken over by the British Government, and Government Cheddar became the norm
Cheddar cheese was likely invented in the village of Cheddar, Somerset, England
Cheddar cheese, one of the world's most popular cheeses, was likely invented in the village of Cheddar, Somerset, England. The cheese is named after its namesake village, which is located in the southwestern county of Somerset. The village of Cheddar has been central to England's dairy industry since at least the 15th century, with references to Cheddar cheese dating back to the 12th century.
The unique geography of Cheddar Gorge, on the edge of the village, played a crucial role in the maturation of the cheese. The caves in the gorge provided the ideal humidity and steady temperature necessary for maturing cheddar. This natural advantage, combined with the surplus of milk in the region, contributed to the development of cheddar cheese in the area.
The process of making cheddar cheese involves heating milk and adding rennet, an enzyme derived from the stomachs of mammals, or an acidic substance to form curds. In the traditional method, the curds are then cut or "cheddared" into small pieces to drain the whey and are pressed into cylinders. The "cheddaring" step is unique to the production of cheddar cheese and was standardised by 19th-century Somerset dairyman Joseph Harding, who is often referred to as the "'father of cheddar'". Harding introduced new equipment and techniques, such as the "'revolving breaker'" for curd cutting, which revolutionised the cheese-making process.
Over time, the methods for crafting cheddar cheese spread beyond Somerset, with British colonists bringing their cheesemaking techniques to America by the end of the 18th century. Today, cheddar cheese is mass-produced and can be found worldwide, with variations in its sharpness, texture, and colour depending on the production methods and ageing process.
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The origin story involves a milkmaid forgetting about a pail of milk
Cheddar cheese is one of the world's most popular cheeses, and its origin story is just as fascinating as its flavour. While there are many stories about how this beloved cheese came to be, one of the most popular tales involves a milkmaid and a forgotten pail of milk.
According to this legend, a milkmaid from the village of Cheddar in Somerset, England, accidentally left a pail of milk in one of the local caves. When she returned, she found that the milk had transformed into the golden, hardened goodness that we now know as cheddar cheese. This story, though not confirmed, captures the imagination and adds a touch of magic to the already impressive history of this cheese.
The village of Cheddar has a long and illustrious history in the dairy industry, dating back to at least the 15th century. The unique characteristics of the local milk, influenced by the lush pastures surrounding the village, contribute to the distinct flavour of Cheddar cheese. The process of cheddaring involves stacking and drying the curds, a technique that was perfected in this very region.
The earliest references to cheddar cheese date back to the 12th century, and it quickly gained popularity. English nobles, including King Henry II, developed a taste for this delicious cheese. In 1107, King Henry II purchased more than 10,000 pounds of cheddar, declaring it the best cheese in Britain. His son, Prince John, continued the royal family's appreciation for cheddar, serving it at royal affairs.
Over time, cheddar cheese migrated beyond the boundaries of England, spreading throughout the world during the 19th century. British colonists brought their cheesemaking techniques to America, and by 1790, they were even exporting cheddar back to Britain. The world's first cheese factory, which opened in upstate New York in 1851, specialised in crafting this beloved variety.
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It was popular in English royal banquets, with King Henry II declaring it the best cheese in Britain
Cheddar cheese, which originated in the village of Cheddar in Somerset, England, has been a popular cheese for centuries. It is believed that the cheese was first created in the 12th century, and soon became a favourite among English royalty.
King Henry II was a noted fan of the cheese, purchasing over 10,000 pounds of cheddar in 1107, and declaring it the best cheese in Britain. The king's endorsement of the cheese led to it becoming a staple at English royal banquets. Henry's son, Prince John, continued the royal family's affinity for cheddar, serving it at various royal affairs.
The popularity of cheddar cheese among the English nobility helped to elevate its status and spread its reputation beyond the borders of England. The process of making cheddar cheese was refined and perfected in the Cheddar area, contributing to its enduring popularity. The unique characteristics of Cheddar Gorge, with its caves providing ideal humidity and steady temperatures, were particularly suited for maturing the cheese.
Over time, cheddar cheese migrated beyond England, becoming a global favourite. British colonists brought their cheesemaking techniques to America, and by the 19th century, cheddar was being exported back to its mother country from North America. The modernisation and standardisation of cheddar production, led by pioneers like Joseph Harding, further contributed to its widespread adoption.
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The cheese was standardised and modernised by 19th-century Somerset dairyman Joseph Harding
Cheddar cheese is believed to have originated in the village of Cheddar in Somerset, England, dating back to the 12th century. The cheese was standardised and modernised by the 19th-century Somerset dairyman Joseph Harding, who has been dubbed the "father of cheddar cheese". Harding introduced new equipment and technical innovations to the cheese-making process, including his ""revolving breaker" for curd cutting, which saved a lot of manual labour. He is also believed to have improved the cheese mill, which breaks up curds into tiny pieces, a key step in making cheddar.
Harding's methods were based on scientific principles, and he emphasised the importance of dairy hygiene. Together with his wife, he introduced cheddar cheese to Scotland and North America, while his sons Henry and William brought cheddar production to Australia and New Zealand. Harding's contributions helped spread the popularity and reach of cheddar, making it more accessible to consumers in various parts of the world.
The standardisation and modernisation efforts of Joseph Harding played a crucial role in transforming cheddar cheese production. Before Harding's innovations, the process of making cheddar cheese was largely a hands-on, laborious task, often undertaken by women on farms in the Cheddar region. The cheese was produced using surplus milk, as the absence of refrigeration and adequate transportation made it necessary to find a way to preserve the milk.
Harding's scientific approach to cheddar cheese-making involved applying reliable techniques to craft the cheese with the desired texture and flavour. He used a curd scalding method to obtain a fine texture and improved equipment to efficiently break down the curds, enhancing the overall consistency and quality of the final product. Harding's methods not only improved the cheese-making process but also contributed to the standardisation of cheddar, ensuring a more uniform product across different batches and producers.
In conclusion, Joseph Harding's contributions to the standardisation and modernisation of cheddar cheese were significant. His innovations revolutionised the cheese-making process, improved efficiency, and helped spread the popularity of cheddar beyond Somerset. Harding's methods laid the foundation for the widespread production and consumption of cheddar cheese, making it one of the most popular and beloved cheeses worldwide.
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During World War II, milk production was taken over by the British Government, and Government Cheddar became the norm
Cheddar cheese, one of the world's most popular cheeses, has a long history dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have originated in the village of Cheddar in Somerset, England, where the unique climate of the local caves provided the ideal humidity and temperature for maturing the cheese.
During World War II, milk production was taken over by the British Government, and cheese production became standardised. This led to the creation of "Government Cheddar", which became the norm during and after the war. The British Government's control over milk production meant that most of the milk in Britain was used to make a single type of cheese: cheddar. This was done as part of the war economy and rationing efforts. As a result, nearly all other types of cheese production in the country ceased to exist.
Before World War I, there were over 3,500 cheese producers in Britain, but fewer than 100 remained after World War II. The standardisation of cheese production during the war and the decline of traditional cheddar-making methods in the regions contributed to this decrease. The industrialisation of cheddar cheese meant that many people grew up without experiencing the true taste of authentic, regionally produced cheddar.
The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company is one of the few remaining producers of traditional cheddar cheese. They continue to make cheese by hand, using traditional methods and the local dairy of Somerset, which influences the flavour of the cheese. The process of maturing the cheese in cloth for up to nine months allows for a gradual change in texture and flavour development, which is lost in vacuum-packed, plastic-matured cheese.
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Frequently asked questions
Historians believe that cheddar cheese was first created in the village of Cheddar in Somerset, England. The story goes that a milkmaid forgot about a pail of milk and returned to find that it had turned into cheese. However, this origin story is not confirmed.
Cheddar cheese is made by heating milk and then adding rennet (enzymes from the stomachs of mammals like goats and sheep) or an acidic substance to the liquid. This causes milk solids to form into curds. The curds are then heated again and separated from the whey to form a mass of solids. The curds are formed into blocks and stacked on top of each other to allow excess whey to drain. This stacking and drying process is known as "cheddaring".
Cheddar cheese was originally made by hand in the village of Cheddar and the surrounding areas. In the 19th century, Joseph Harding, a Somerset dairyman, introduced new equipment and techniques to modernise and standardise the production of cheddar cheese. He is often referred to as the "father of cheddar". During the Second World War, most milk production in Britain was used to make a single type of cheese called "government cheddar". This led to a decline in traditional cheddar-making methods. Today, factory-made cheddar is the norm, with plastic and wax commonly used for sealing the cheese during the ageing process.
Cheddar cheese became popular in England after nobles learned about it and began serving it at royal banquets. King Henry II purchased over 10,000 pounds of cheddar in 1107, declaring it the best cheese in Britain. It continued to be served by royalty and was even taken on expeditions, such as Scott of the Antarctic's journey in 1901. Cheddar cheese also spread internationally, with British colonists bringing their cheesemaking techniques to America and other parts of the world. It is now the most popular cheese in the world.
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