Bushra Griffith
Cheddar cheese is made in the caves of Cheddar, a village in Somerset, England. The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company produces 60 tons of cheese each year, ageing it in Gough's Cave, which is located in the Mendip Hills. The constant temperature and humidity of the cave provide the ideal conditions for maturing cloth-bound cheese, giving it a distinctive, earthy and nutty flavour. The village of Cheddar is a popular tourist destination, with its picturesque gorges, historic caves, and cheese-making demonstrations. Visitors can sample and purchase cheese from the Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company, as well as enjoy the natural beauty of the surrounding area.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Cheddar, Somerset, South West England |
| Cave name | Gough's Cave, Wookey Hole Caves |
| Cheese type | Cheddar |
| Cheese flavour | Earthy, nutty, sweet, salty, tangy |
| Cheese texture | Firm, hard |
| Cheese colour | Cream |
| Cheese aroma | Sweet, creamy, farmy, earthy |
| Minimum ageing time | 9 months |
| Accompaniments | Full-bodied red wines, crackers, chutney, butter |
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What You'll Learn
- The village of Cheddar in Somerset is the home of cheddar cheese
- The Cheddar Yeo river flows underground through Gough's Cave
- The constant temperature and humidity in the caves are ideal for maturing cheese
- The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company produces 60 tons of cheese each year
- The Wookey Hole Caves in the Mendip Hills are used to mature cheddars
The village of Cheddar in Somerset is the home of cheddar cheese
Cheddar cheese has been traditionally made and aged in the caves of Cheddar, particularly in Gough's Cave, which provides the ideal humidity and temperature for cheese ripening. The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company, located in the village, produces 60 tons of cheese each year, using milk sourced from local herds. Visitors can purchase tickets for a self-guided tour of the production facility, learning about the history of cheddar cheese and witnessing the various stages of its creation.
The process of 'cheddaring' involves turning the curds by hand, salting them, pressing the cheese, and bandaging it in cheesecloth. This traditional method imparts a distinctive flavour and texture to the cheese. The caves' atmosphere, with its constant temperature and humidity, further enhances the cheese's character, giving it an earthy and nutty flavour. The Wookey Hole Caves in the Mendip Hills are another renowned location for maturing cheddars, with their unique conditions contributing to the cheese's final taste.
Cheddar offers a delightful blend of cheese-making traditions, stunning natural landscapes, and historical insights. The village's speciality shops provide a variety of local cheddar cheeses and accompanying items, making it a haven for cheese enthusiasts. With its picturesque gorges, historic caves, and delicious cheese offerings, Cheddar, Somerset, is a must-visit destination for those seeking a unique blend of culture, nature, and, of course, cheese!
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The Cheddar Yeo river flows underground through Gough's Cave
The Cheddar Yeo is a small river in Somerset, England, that flows underground through the famous Gough's Cave. The river rises from a spring near Charterhouse and then disappears under the limestone of the Mendip Hills before reappearing in Gough's Cave. Within the cave, the Cheddar Yeo forms the largest underground river system in Britain. The cave itself is 115 metres deep and 3.4 kilometres long, and it contains a variety of large chambers and rock formations.
Gough's Cave, located in Cheddar Gorge on the Mendip Hills in Somerset, England, has a rich history. The initial sections of the cave, previously known as Sand Hole, were accessible before the 19th century. In the late 19th century, retired sea captain Richard Cox Gough, after whom the cave is named, further explored and excavated the cave, opening it to the public up to the Diamond Chamber, which remains the end of the show cave today. Electric lighting was installed in the show caves in 1899.
Gough's Cave is susceptible to flooding, which can last up to 48 hours, although the Great Flood of 1968 caused the cave to be flooded for three days. The cave contains long stretches of completely flooded river passages, which have been explored by divers. The bottom of the passage opens into the river passage, which is several metres across and has been explored for 335 metres downstream. Upstream, a dive of 150 metres brings divers to a chamber named Lloyd Hall, which can also be reached by a dry route.
The cave is also known for the discovery of ancient human remains, including the oldest complete human skeleton in Britain, dated to approximately 7150 BC and named Cheddar Man. Genetic analysis of Cheddar Man revealed characteristics such as green eyes, lactose intolerance, and dark curly hair. Other artefacts found in the cave include a perforated baton made of reindeer antler, interpreted as a device for making rope, indicating the importance of rope-making in the Upper Paleolithic age.
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The constant temperature and humidity in the caves are ideal for maturing cheese
The village of Cheddar in Somerset, South West England, is known for its picturesque gorges and historic caves. It is also the home of cheddar cheese, which has been traditionally made and matured in the caves in the region. The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company produces 60 tons of cheese each year, and the cheese is matured in the original Cheddar Cheese Caves, including Gough's Cave and Cox's Cave.
The process of maturing cheese in caves is a traditional method that has been used for centuries. The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company was the first in recent times to reintroduce this method of maturing cheese in a natural cave environment. The company has since opted out of the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) protection, as it felt that this did not go far enough to protect their traditional methods.
The Wookey Hole Caves in the Mendip Hills are another example of caves in England used for maturing cheese. The cheddars matured here are made using milk from local herds that graze the pastures of the Ashley Chase Estate. The 'cheddaring' process, which involves turning the curds by hand, is performed entirely by hand, along with the salting, pressing, and bandaging of the cheese. The constant temperature and humidity in these caves also contribute to the ideal conditions for maturing cheese.
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The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company produces 60 tons of cheese each year
The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company, located in the village of Cheddar in Somerset, England, is the only remaining producer of Cheddar cheese in the village, the original birthplace of the cheese. The company produces 60 tons of cheese annually, using traditional methods that date back to the 12th century.
The process of making Cheddar cheese involves transforming milk into curds and whey. The whey is drained, and the curds are cut, turned, and stacked to allow for drainage and knitting, forming blocks of curd. These blocks are then pressed into moulds and dressed in traditional cloth before being transferred to maturing stores. Caves, with their constant temperature and humidity, provide the ideal environment for maturing cheese, and Cheddar Gorge features a series of caves that were historically used for this purpose.
The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company continues to mature its cheese in these caves, maintaining the ancient tradition. The company offers a range of cheese varieties, including oak-smoked Cheddar, Cheddar with chilli flakes, and a Very Special strong Cheddar used in their award-winning Cafe Gorge. Visitors can purchase tickets for self-guided tours of the production and ageing facility, sample various cheeses, and purchase gifts and accompaniments.
The village of Cheddar, with its picturesque gorges and historic caves, has become a popular tourist destination for cheese enthusiasts. Visitors can explore the cheese-making process, enjoy stunning views, and purchase tickets for cave tours to learn about the rich history of Cheddar cheese. The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company, with its dedication to traditional methods and the ancient craft of Cheddar-making, plays a crucial role in preserving this significant part of English heritage.
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The Wookey Hole Caves in the Mendip Hills are used to mature cheddars
The Wookey Hole Caves provide the ideal conditions for storing and ageing cheddar due to their constant temperature and high humidity of nearly 98%. The porous nature of the cheese allows it to absorb the distinctive earthy and nutty flavours from the atmosphere of the caves. This process results in a firm-textured, cream-coloured cheese with a complex aroma and flavour profile, blending sweet, creamy, farmy, and earthy notes.
The process of maturing cheddar in the Wookey Hole Caves is a traditional and meticulous one. The cheddars are carried by hand two hundred feet underground, where they are left to mature for a minimum of nine months. The 'Cheddaring' process, which involves turning the curds by hand, is a crucial step in the traditional method of cheddar-making. The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company, located in the village of Cheddar, continues this tradition by producing 60 tons of cheese each year using milk sourced from local herds.
A visit to the Wookey Hole Caves offers a unique opportunity to witness the maturation process of cheddar in its original setting. The caves have played a significant role in the history of cheddar production, and their atmospheric conditions impart a unique flavour to the cheese that cannot be replicated elsewhere. The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company also offers self-guided tours, providing visitors with a glimpse into the rich history of cheddar-making, from dairy farming to its presence at royal weddings.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheddar cheese is made in the caves of Cheddar, England.
Cheddar is located in southwest England.
The constant temperature and humidity in the caves provide the perfect conditions for storing and ageing cheddar. The porous nature of the cheese allows it to take on the distinctive earthy and nutty flavours from the atmosphere.
The two biggest caves in Cheddar are Gough's Cave and Cox's Cave.
Cheddar is home to the Cheddar Yeo river, which forms Britain's largest underground river system. It is also the site where the Cheddar Man, the oldest complete human skeleton found in Britain, was discovered in 1903.
