Andy Montoya
Canadian cheddar is a type of cheese that is produced almost entirely by a number of large companies in Ontario, Canada, including limited artisanal producers. It is known for its smooth, creamy texture and distinct sharp flavour. The cheese is typically aged for a minimum of three months and can be matured for up to 15 months, with some varieties aged for as long as six to ten years. Canadian cheddar is often white in colour but can also be dyed orange with tasteless food colouring. It is made from cow's milk, although sheep or goat's milk varieties are also available.
Characteristics and Values of Canadian Cheddar Cheese
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Texture | Smooth and creamy |
| Colour | Creamy white, often dyed orange with tasteless food colouring |
| Flavour | Sharp, strong, pungent, earthy |
| Ageing time | Minimum of 3 months, maximum of 6 years for optimal quality; some aged for 1,000+ days or 4+ years |
| Milk source | Cow, sheep, or goat |
| Type | Mild, medium, marble, old, black truffle, horseradish, smoked, bacon, garlic, jalapeno, cranberry, dill, flax, olive, sun-dried tomato |
| Pairings | Merlot, Syrah, Zinfandel red wines, white wines, pale ales/lagers |
| Producers | Balderson Cheese Company, Pinconning Cheese Co. & Fudge Shoppe, Boar's Head, Grandpa's Cheese Barn, Shisler's Cheese House |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Canadian Cheddar is aged for a minimum of 3 months to 15 months
Canadian Cheddar is a type of cheese that is aged for a minimum of 3 months and can go up to 6 years or even more than 10 years for optimal quality. The aging process gives Canadian Cheddar its distinct sharp, pungent, and earthy flavour. The texture of the cheese also varies depending on its age, ranging from smooth and creamy to firm and crumbly.
The aging process for Canadian Cheddar typically ranges from a minimum of 3 months to a maximum of 15 months. During this time, the cheese is carefully maintained at a constant temperature to ensure the development of its unique characteristics. The aging process plays a crucial role in determining the flavour, texture, and overall quality of the cheese.
While Canadian Cheddar can be aged for a minimum of 3 months, many producers age their cheese for longer periods to enhance its flavour and texture. Some producers age their cheese for 8 to 11 months, resulting in a smooth and creamy texture that is ideal for salads, snacks, or main dishes. This aging duration allows the cheese to develop a well-rounded flavour without becoming overly sharp or pungent.
Aged Canadian Cheddar, matured for at least 4 years, boasts a stronger and sharper flavour. This extended aging period results in a firm-textured cheese that is often paired with wine by connoisseurs. The fine aging process enhances the cheese's flavour and texture, making it a favourite among cheese aficionados.
The aging process not only influences the taste and texture of Canadian Cheddar but also its versatility. Mild and medium Canadian Cheddars, aged for shorter periods, are perfect for snacking and lighter foods such as omelettes and sandwiches. On the other hand, older cheddars, aged for longer, are better suited for shredding, slicing, and pairing with wines and ales.
Cheddar Cheese: The Ultimate Unrefrigerated Food?
You may want to see also
It is produced by large companies in Ontario and limited artisanal producers
Canadian cheddar cheese is produced by a number of large companies in Ontario, as well as a few artisanal producers. The most award-winning Canadian cheddar maker is the Balderson Cheese Company, which ages its cheese for a minimum of three months and up to six years for the highest quality. Other well-known companies producing Canadian cheddar include Pinconning Cheese Co. & Fudge Shoppe, which offers 7- and 10-year-old cheddars, and Boar's Head, whose Canadian cheddar is aged for over 1,000 days and has a distinctly sharp flavour.
Canadian cheddar is known for its smooth, creamy texture and well-balanced flavour and sharpness. It is typically aged for at least three months, with some varieties maturing for up to 15 months or even longer. The flavour, texture, and aroma of Canadian cheddar can vary depending on its age, with older cheddars having a sharper, stronger flavour and a firmer texture. Canadian cheddar is often paired with wine by connoisseurs, particularly red wines like Merlot, Syrah, and Zinfandel.
Canadian cheddar is made from cow's milk, although it is not uncommon to find varieties made from sheep or goat's milk. The cheese can be made from raw, pasteurised, or thermalised milk, each method retaining more of the flavour-enhancing enzymes. Cheddar is classified according to its ageing time, with mild, medium, and old cheddars available. Mild and medium cheddars are ideal for snacking or using in lighter dishes like omelettes and sandwiches, while old cheddars are better for shredding, slicing, and pairing with wines and ales.
Canadian cheddar is also available in a variety of flavours, including cranberry, dill, flax, garlic, jalapeno, olive, and sun-dried tomato. Some common types of Canadian cheddars include Lancashire, Double Gloucester, Wensleydale, Leicester, Derby, Cheshire, Cantal, Caerphilly, and Colby.
White Cheddar Cheese: Safe or Not for Dogs?
You may want to see also
It is smooth and creamy with a white or orange hue
Canadian cheddar cheese is known for its smooth and creamy texture, which can vary depending on its age. Traditionally, cheddar cheese is a creamy white colour, but Canadian cheddars can also be found in an orange hue due to the addition of tasteless food colouring.
Canadian cheddar is produced by a number of large companies in Ontario, with the Balderson Cheese Company being the most prize-winning cheddar maker in the country. The cheese is typically aged for a minimum of three months and up to six years for optimal quality, with some varieties being aged for even longer periods of up to seven or ten years.
The smooth and creamy texture of Canadian cheddar is a result of the country's unique climate, soil, pasture, cattle stock, and milk quality. This cheese can be made from raw, pasteurised, or thermalised cow's milk, although it can also be found made from sheep or goat's milk. The milk is then flavoured with popular ingredients such as cranberry, dill, flax, garlic, jalapeno, olive, and sun-dried tomato.
Canadian cheddar cheese with its white or orange hue is often enjoyed in salads, snacks, or main dishes. It is also paired with wines such as Merlot, Syrah, and Zinfandel by connoisseurs. The cheese can be shredded, sliced, or melted and is known for its strong, sharp flavour when aged.
The Bacteria in Cheddar Cheese: A Detailed Look
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$14.99
It is made from cow, sheep or goat's milk
Canadian cheddar is made from cow's, sheep's or goat's milk. Cow's milk is the most commonly used source for making the cheese, but it is not uncommon to find Canadian cheddar made from sheep or goat's milk. The cheese can be made from raw, pasteurised or thermalised milk to retain more of the flavour-enhancing enzymes.
Canadian cheddar is known for its smooth, creamy texture and balanced flavour and sharpness. It is often aged for a long time, with some varieties being matured for up to 15 months, 4 years, 7 years, or even 10 years. The ageing process gives Canadian cheddar its distinct sharp, pungent and earthy flavour. The texture of the cheese also changes with age, becoming firmer and more crumbly.
Cheddar cheese has been produced in England since 1170, with the modern variety being standardised in the 19th century by Joseph Harding, a Somerset dairyman. Canadian cheddar is now considered some of the best in the world, with its unique characteristics attributed to the country's climate, soil, pasture, cattle stock and milk quality.
Canadian cheddar is produced almost entirely by large companies in Ontario, with limited production by artisanal makers. The Balderson Cheese Company is the most prize-winning cheddar maker in Canada. Some popular varieties of Canadian cheddar include mild, medium, marble, old, smoked, horseradish, garlic, bacon, black truffle, and goat cheddar.
Cheddar vs. American Cheese: What's the Real Difference?
You may want to see also
It is paired with wines like Merlot, Syrah and Zinfandel
Canadian cheddar is a type of cheese that has been produced in the country since at least the 19th century. While cheddar cheese originated in England, Canada now produces some of the best cheddar in the world. This is due to a variety of factors, including climate, soil, pasture, cattle stock, and milk quality. Canadian cheddars are known for their smooth, creamy texture and well-balanced flavour and sharpness. The cheese is typically aged for a minimum of three months and up to six years, with some varieties being aged for even longer periods. The ageing process gives Canadian cheddar its distinct sharp, pungent, and earthy flavour.
Canadian cheddar is a versatile cheese that can be enjoyed in many different ways. It is often used in salads, snacks, or main dishes. The cheese can also be shredded, sliced, or crumbled, making it a popular choice for garnishes, omelettes, and sandwiches. When it comes to wine pairings, Canadian cheddar is often paired with red wines like Merlot, Syrah, and Zinfandel. These wines complement the sharp and earthy flavours of the cheese, creating a harmonious flavour profile.
Merlot, a classic red wine grape variety, is known for producing wines with a full body, robust flavour, and notes of plum, black cherry, and herbal hints. When paired with Canadian cheddar, the richness of Merlot creates a beautiful contrast with the sharpness of the cheese. Syrah, another popular red wine grape, yields wines with bold flavours, medium to high tannins, and notes of blackberry, pepper, and spice. The spiciness of Syrah wines can accentuate the earthy notes in Canadian cheddar, resulting in a complex and intriguing flavour combination.
Zinfandel, often referred to as " Zin," is a distinct red wine grape variety known for producing full-bodied, high-alcohol wines with intense flavours. Typical Zinfandel wines display notes of blackberry, raspberry, and pepper, with some exhibiting hints of anise or licorice. When paired with Canadian cheddar, the bold flavours of Zinfandel stand up to the sharpness of the cheese, creating a delightful sensory experience. The fruit-forward character of Zinfandel can also help to balance the earthy and pungent qualities of well-aged Canadian cheddar.
In addition to these classic red wine pairings, Canadian cheddar can also be enjoyed with white wines, pale ales, or lagers. The versatility of Canadian cheddar in wine pairings showcases its ability to complement a range of flavours and aromas. Whether enjoyed with a bold red, crisp white, or refreshing beer, Canadian cheddar adds a layer of depth and indulgence to the tasting experience.
Freezing Cheddar Cheese: Is It Worth It?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Canadian Cheddar Cheese is a type of cheddar cheese produced in Canada. It is known for its smooth, creamy texture and its balance of flavour and sharpness.
Canadian Cheddar is traditionally made from cow's milk, but it can also be made from sheep or goat's milk. The milk can be raw, pasteurised, or thermalised, and the cheese is often coloured with tasteless food colouring to achieve an orange hue.
Canadian Cheddar Cheese is made through a process called "cheddaring", where the curd is kneaded with salt after heating, then drained of whey, cut into cubes, stacked, and turned.
Canadian Cheddar Cheese can be aged for anywhere from 3 months to 6 years, with the minimum age for optimal quality being 3 months, and the maximum being 6 years.
