Patrick Oconnell
Wensleydale is a style of cheese that originated in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, England. It is now mostly made in large commercial creameries throughout the United Kingdom. The term Yorkshire Wensleydale can only be legally used for cheese that is made in Wensleydale. The cheese is loved by cheesemongers and aficionados for its gentle, subtle, and pure flavour. It is described as creamy and crumbly, with a nutty, buttermilk flavour and a honey aftertaste. Wensleydale is often paired with sweet things and is commonly combined with blueberries or cranberries. So, is Wensleydale cheese a cheddar?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, England |
| Current production location | Large commercial creameries throughout the United Kingdom |
| Texture | Firm, creamy, crumbly, not chalky |
| Taste | Slightly sweet, nutty, buttermilk, tangy, honey aftertaste |
| Aroma | Honey, cut grass |
| Colour | Creamy-white |
| Pairing | Sweet foods, fruits, crackers, crusty bread, stout or IPA |
| Type of milk used | Cow's milk |
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What You'll Learn
- Wensleydale is a style of cheese originally produced in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, England
- The cheese is creamy, crumbly, and full of flavour
- It is made from cow's milk and a traditional recipe
- Wensleydale is a favourite of Wallace in the Wallace & Gromit franchise
- The cheese is best paired with sweet things
Wensleydale is a style of cheese originally produced in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, England
Wensleydale is a style of cheese that was originally produced in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, England. It is named after its place of origin and is one of Britain's most quintessential cheeses. The cheese is said to have a long history of cheesemaking, dating back to Roman times.
The process of making Wensleydale cheese was first introduced by French Cistercian monks who settled in the Yorkshire Dales around 1150 AD. The monks used sheep's milk and mould to create the cheese, which was initially a blue cheese. Over time, the recipe for Wensleydale cheese was passed down to farmers' wives after the dissolution of the monasteries in the late 1530s. By the mid-1800s, cow's milk became the primary ingredient instead of sheep's milk, and the Industrial Revolution brought further changes to the production process.
The first commercial creamery to produce Wensleydale cheese was established in 1897 in Hawes, North Yorkshire. This creamery, known as the Wensleydale Creamery, is still in operation today and is the only manufacturer that makes Wensleydale cheese in its original region. The cheese experienced a decline in popularity in the 1990s, but its fortunes changed after it was featured in the Wallace & Gromit franchise. The main character, Wallace, is a self-proclaimed cheese connoisseur and mentions Wensleydale as his favourite cheese in the 1995 short, "A Close Shave". This collaboration resulted in a 23% boost in sales for the Wensleydale Creamery.
Wensleydale cheese is known for its creamy, crumbly texture and slightly sweet yet tart flavour. It pairs well with sweet foods, such as apples, and is often combined with cranberries or blueberries to enhance its sweetness. The cheese has a distinctive flavour due to the fresh milk sourced from cattle grazing in the limestone meadows of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
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The cheese is creamy, crumbly, and full of flavour
Wensleydale cheese is creamy, crumbly, and full of flavour. It is a style of cheese that was originally produced in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, England. The term "Yorkshire Wensleydale" is protected and can only be used for cheese that is made in this region.
The cheese is known for its distinctive and extraordinary flavour, which comes from the fresh milk drawn from cattle grazing in the sweet limestone meadows of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The milk is also said to take on the flavour of the wild herbs growing in this designated environmentally sensitive area, which is restricted in the use of artificial chemicals and fertilizers.
Wensleydale is a medium-hard cheese that is supple and crumbly, with a slight honey aroma. It has a nutty, buttermilk flavour with a honey aftertaste and the gentle aroma of cut grass. The cheese is often described as having a creamy, buttery texture and a complex, rounded flavour. It is suitable for vegetarians and can be paired with sweet things, such as apples, fruitcake, and cranberries.
The style of Wensleydale cheese originated from French Cistercian monks who settled in northern England around 1150 AD. These monks used sheep's milk and mold to create a blue cheese. Over time, the recipe was passed down to local farmers and farmers' wives, and by the mid-1800s, cow's milk was being used instead of sheep's milk. The first commercial creamery to produce Wensleydale was established in 1897 in Hawes, and today, Wensleydale Creamery is the only manufacturer still making the cheese in its place of origin.
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It is made from cow's milk and a traditional recipe
Wensleydale cheese is made from cow's milk and a traditional recipe. The cheese originated in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, England, and was first made by French Cistercian monks who settled in the Yorkshire Dales around 1150 AD. The Cistercian monks used sheep's milk and mold to create Wensleydale, which was initially a blue cheese. The recipes for this cheese were passed down to farmers' wives after the dissolution of the monasteries in the late 1530s.
By the mid-1800s, cow's milk was used instead of sheep's milk to make the cheese. This change in milk source also resulted in a change in the style of the cheese. It was no longer brine-washed, and it became harder and white, without any mold. The traditional method of making Wensleydale cheese was passed down through generations of local farmers and is still used today by the Wensleydale Creamery, which is the only company in the world that continues to make Wensleydale using the same traditional methods and ingredients as it has for hundreds of years.
The Wensleydale Creamery handcrafts its cheese, wrapping it in muslin cheesecloth or wax, resulting in a delicious, creamy-white, flaky cheese that is pure, natural, and wholesome. The cheese has a distinctive and extraordinary flavor due to the fresh milk drawn from cattle grazing in the sweet limestone Wensleydale meadows and eating the wild herbs growing in the area. The region is designated as environmentally sensitive, and artificial chemicals and fertilizers are restricted, ensuring a natural composition of ingredients in each batch of cheese.
Wensleydale cheese is a creamy, crumbly classic with a unique taste and flavor and a distinctive crumbly texture. It is a medium-hard cheese that is supple and crumbly, with a slight honey aroma. The flavor of Wensleydale pairs well with sweeter produce, such as sweet apples, and it is often served with fruitcake. The cheese has a fine curd, minimal texturing, and high moisture content, and it is sometimes described as having a nutty, buttermilk flavor with a honey aftertaste and the gentle aroma of cut grass.
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Wensleydale is a favourite of Wallace in the Wallace & Gromit franchise
Wensleydale cheese is a favourite of Wallace in the Wallace & Gromit franchise. In the 1995 short "A Close Shave", Wallace, a self-proclaimed cheese connoisseur, mentions Wensleydale as his favourite cheese. This reference, along with several others throughout the series, is credited with boosting the popularity of the cheese and saving it from the risk of suspended production.
Wensleydale is a style of cheese that originated in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, England. It was first made by French Cistercian monks from the Roquefort region who settled in Wensleydale and built a monastery at Fors. These monks brought with them a recipe for making cheese from sheep's milk or ewe's milk. Over time, the recipe evolved, and by the 14th century, cows' milk began to be used instead, resulting in a harder texture with no bluing.
The cheese gets its distinctive flavour from the pastures of Wensleydale, where cattle graze on sweet limestone meadows and wild herbs. It is described as having a supple, crumbly, and moist texture, with a slight honey aroma and a nutty, buttermilk flavour. It is often served with sweeter produce, such as apples, and is traditionally eaten with fruitcake.
The Wallace & Gromit franchise has had a significant impact on the popularity of Wensleydale cheese. In addition to Wallace's proclamation in "A Close Shave", the cheese is mentioned throughout the series, including in "The Curse of the Were-Rabbit", where sales of Wensleydale cheese increased by 23% after the film's release. The company also released a limited-edition Wallace & Gromit-branded cheese, further associating the cheese with the beloved characters.
The franchise's influence extends beyond sales, as the Wensleydale Creamery Visitor Centre in Hawes features wool versions of Wallace and Gromit knitted by local artisans. The centre also has a Cheese and Gift Shop that offers a wide range of franchise merchandise. The popularity of Wensleydale cheese among fans of Wallace & Gromit has helped revitalise its production and secure its place as a beloved British cheese.
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The cheese is best paired with sweet things
Wensleydale is a style of cheese that was originally produced in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, England. It is now mostly made in large commercial creameries throughout the United Kingdom. The term "Yorkshire Wensleydale" can only be used for cheese that is made in Wensleydale.
Wensleydale is a medium cheese that is supple, crumbly, and creamy. It has a slight honey aroma and a nutty, buttermilk flavour with a honey aftertaste. The flavour of Wensleydale is well-suited to combination with sweeter things, such as sweet apples, cranberries, and fruit pies. Many restaurants and delicatessens serve a version of the cheese that contains cranberries, and it is often paired with porters and dark winter beers.
Wensleydale is a versatile cheese that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. It is a popular choice for a Christmas cheeseboard, especially the festive Wensleydale with cranberries. The cheese is also commonly served with fresh fruit, such as crisp apples, and is traditionally eaten with fruitcake.
When it comes to wine pairings, Wensleydale goes well with both white and red wines. For white wine lovers, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay, Viognier, and Chenin Blanc are good choices. As for red wines, fruitier and lower-tannin options are recommended, such as Pinot Noir, Beaujolais/Gamay Noir, Pinotage, Grenache, or Zinfandel.
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Frequently asked questions
Wensleydale is a style of cheese that was originally produced in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, England. It is now mostly made in large commercial creameries throughout the United Kingdom. It is creamy, crumbly, and full of flavour.
No, Wensleydale is not a cheddar. However, it is often mentioned in the same context as cheddar, as both are British cheeses.
Wensleydale is slightly sweet but also has a tangy, nutty, buttermilk flavour. It is described as having a honey aftertaste and the aroma of cut grass.
