Kamil Perry
Cotswold cheese is a semi-hard, creamy English cheese with a smooth texture and a tangy, savoury taste. It is a variation of Double Gloucester, made with chopped chives and onion, and traditionally crafted in the Cotswolds. This cheese has a rich history and is said to be crafted from the milk of black cattle in Gloucester. Cotswold is often served melted on slices of bread, grilled cheese sandwiches, or paired with crackers, cold meats, grapes, pickles, honey, and traditional English ales.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Double Gloucester cheese |
| Ingredients | Chives, onion, annatto, cow's milk, salt, cultures, vegetarian rennet, rehydrated minced onions, freeze-dried chives |
| Texture | Creamy, smooth, fudgy, semi-hard |
| Colour | Pale yellow, golden yellow, egg yolk-yellow, orange |
| Flavour | Savoury, tangy, bright, oniony, sour cream and onion chips |
| Ideal accompaniments | Bread, crackers, cold meats, grapes, pickles, honey, bacon, tomato, English ales, beer, walnuts |
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What You'll Learn
A variation of Double Gloucester
Cotswold cheese, a variation of Double Gloucester, is a classic English cheese with a rich history and a devoted following. It is characterised by its distinctive blend of chopped chives and onions, which lend a savoury flavour and a unique appearance to the cheese. The process of crafting this cheese begins with the selection of high-quality Double Gloucester cheese, which serves as the base. The cheesemakers then skillfully incorporate the perfect amount of freshly chopped onions and aromatic chives, creating a delightful combination that has been enjoyed for centuries.
The addition of herbs and onions gives Cotswold cheese a savoury taste and a speckled appearance, setting it apart from other cheeses. Its flavour has been described as tangy, bright, and oniony, with a creamy and smooth texture. The cheese is aged for about 8 to 12 weeks, allowing the flavours to develop and intensify. This maturation process results in a bold and irresistible cheese that is loved by many.
Cotswold cheese is semi-hard, with a pale yellow hue. It is similar to cheddar in terms of aging, as it is aged for a shorter period of three to four months. This results in a milder, less sharp, and less firm cheese compared to a well-aged cheddar. Like cheddar, Cotswold cheese melts well and is often served melted on slices of bread or crackers. It pairs perfectly with crusty bread, cold meats, juicy grapes, tangy pickles, and traditional English ales, making it a versatile option for various dishes and occasions.
The versatility of Cotswold cheese is one of its standout qualities. It can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, from grilled cheese sandwiches to pasta dishes like carbonara or mac and cheese. Its creamy texture and savoury flavours elevate any dish it is added to. Cotswold cheese is also a popular choice for cheese platters or as a simple, flavourful snack on its own. Its smooth, cheddary taste and golden yellow to orange colour make it a modern rendition of an old British favourite.
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Savoury taste with a distinctive appearance
Cotswold cheese is a semi-hard cheese with a distinctive appearance and a savoury taste. It is a variation of "Double Gloucester", made with the rich milk of Gloucester cattle and traditionally crafted in the Cotswolds region of England. The cheese is named after the rolling hills, lush pastures, and charming stone houses of the area, capturing the essence of its English terroir.
Cotswold cheese is characterised by its pale yellow hue and creamy, smooth texture. The savoury taste comes from the infusion of herbs, freshly chopped onions, and aromatic chives. The addition of annatto, a natural colouring made from the seeds of the achiote tree, gives the cheese its bright yellow colour and peppered green accents.
The cheese-making process for Cotswold involves skilled artisans who carefully select high-quality Double Gloucester cheese as their base. They then incorporate the perfect balance of onions and chives, either freshly chopped or added as dried flakes during the milling process. This blend of ingredients imparts a bold and irresistible flavour that intensifies as the cheese matures.
Aged for about 8 to 12 weeks, Cotswold cheese is milder, less sharp, and less firm than a well-aged cheddar. Its creamy texture and savoury flavours make it a versatile ingredient. It can be melted on slices of bread, grilled cheese sandwiches, or added to pasta dishes like carbonara or mac and cheese. Cotswold cheese is also an excellent snack on its own, pairing well with crusty bread, crackers, cold meats, juicy grapes, tangy pickles, and even a pint of your favourite beer.
With its rich and creamy flavours, Cotswold cheese has been enjoyed for centuries and remains a beloved choice for cheese enthusiasts worldwide. Its distinctive appearance, savoury taste, and versatility make it a staple in English cuisine and a delightful treat for any occasion.
Pairs well with crusty bread and crackers
Cotswold cheese is a versatile treat that can be enjoyed in many ways, but one of the best and most classic ways to savour this cheese is to pair it with crusty bread and crackers. The cheese's creamy and smooth texture and tangy, savoury taste make it an ideal companion for a crunchy slice of bread or a cracker.
The bread's crustiness provides a satisfying contrast to the cheese's smoothness, and the crackers offer a similar texture pairing. The bread's slight chewiness and the cracker's crispness also help to showcase the cheese's melt-in-your-mouth quality.
Cotswold cheese is a semi-hard cheese with a pale yellow hue, crafted from the finest quality Double Gloucester cheese and infused with freshly chopped onions and aromatic chives. It is typically aged for about 8 to 12 weeks, though some are aged for up to six months, resulting in a bold and irresistible flavour. The cheese's maturity allows it to develop a distinctive savoury taste that is both bright and oniony, with a hint of sour cream.
When paired with crusty bread or crackers, the cheese's tanginess is accentuated, creating a delightful flavour combination. The bread's crustiness and the cracker's crispness also help to highlight the cheese's creamy texture, making it a truly indulgent experience. This classic combination is a favourite for a reason, as it showcases the best qualities of both the cheese and the bread or crackers.
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Can be eaten as a snack
Cotswold cheese is a versatile snack option that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. This traditional English cheese, named after the rolling hills and lush pastures of its namesake region, boasts a rich and creamy flavour that has been loved for centuries.
When enjoyed as a snack, Cotswold cheese is a delightful treat on its own. Its semi-hard texture and smooth, creamy consistency make it perfect for slicing and savouring. The cheese has a tangy, bright, egg yolk-yellow paste with a fudgy texture, speckled with green from the chives and onion, giving it a unique appearance. Its signature flavour is often described as bright and oniony, with a delightful savoury taste.
For those who enjoy a heartier snack, Cotswold cheese pairs well with crackers, crusty bread, juicy grapes, tangy pickles, and even a drizzle of honey for a sweet and savoury combination. Its creamy texture and meltability also make it ideal for grilled cheese sandwiches. Spread it on your favourite bread, add some crispy bacon or tomato slices, and grill to perfection.
Cotswold cheese is also a great addition to a classic ploughman's lunch, often served with crusty bread and a pickled onion in English country pubs. It can also be melted over eggs or burgers, or added to scones for a savoury twist. Its versatility and unique flavour make it a favourite among cheese enthusiasts.
Whether enjoyed as a simple snack or incorporated into various dishes, Cotswold cheese is a delicious and indulgent option for cheese lovers. Its creamy texture, savoury taste, and distinctive appearance make it a staple for any cheese platter or cosy night in.
Smooth and creamy texture
Cotswold cheese is a semi-hard cheese with a smooth and creamy texture. It is made from a mix of chopped chives and onion, coupled with quality Double Gloucester cheese. The cheese is allowed to mature, letting the flavours develop and intensify. The smooth texture of the cheese makes it perfect for melting and it is often served melted on slices of bread. It is also used in grilled cheese sandwiches, where it is spread generously on bread, with ingredients such as bacon or tomato, and grilled. The creamy texture of Cotswold cheese also makes it a good addition to pasta dishes like carbonara or mac and cheese.
The cheese is crafted by skilled cheesemakers who carefully select the finest quality Double Gloucester cheese and incorporate freshly chopped onions and aromatic chives. The smooth and creamy texture of the cheese is a result of the maturation process, where the cheese is aged for about 8 to 12 weeks, or 3 to 4 months, making it milder, less sharp, and less firm than a well-aged cheddar.
The smooth and creamy texture of Cotswold cheese is also attributed to the addition of annatto, a natural colouring made from the seeds of the achiote tree, which gives the cheese its characteristic golden yellow to orange colour. The cheese has a tangy, bright, egg yolk-yellow paste that is peppered with green speckles from the chives and onions.
The smooth and creamy texture of Cotswold cheese makes it a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes or enjoyed on its own as a snack. It is a popular choice for cheese enthusiasts and is often served with complementary flavours such as crusty bread, juicy grapes, tangy pickles, and honey for a perfect balance of sweet and savoury.
Frequently asked questions
Cotswold cheese is a variation of Double Gloucester cheese, mixed with chopped chives and onion. It is tangy, creamy, and smooth, with a pale yellow hue. It is often described as tasting like sour cream and onion chips, but with a cheddary delight.
Cotswold cheese is a versatile cheese that can be enjoyed in many ways. It is often served melted on slices of bread or crackers, grilled in sandwiches, or simply sliced up as a snack. It pairs well with crusty bread, juicy grapes, tangy pickles, and a drizzle of honey.
Cotswold cheese can be purchased from specialty cheese shops or online retailers. It may also be available at your local grocery store or cheese counter.
