Andy Montoya
New Zealand cheddar cheese is a popular variety of cheese made from grass-fed, pasture-raised cows. It is manufactured from fresh milk, sea salt, rennet, and proprietary starter cultures, resulting in a mild and unique flavour. NZ cheddar is often sold young and is known for its nutty taste and sharp aroma. The cheese is aged to perfection, creating a rich, sharp, and crumbly texture with a lingering creamy finish. New Zealand exports a significant amount of cheddar annually, and it is a sought-after delicacy in the cheese market.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
NZ cheddar is sold young
New Zealand is known for its distinct variety of cheddar cheese. NZ cheddar is often sold young, which means it has a shorter aging time compared to other cheddars. This contributes to its milder flavour and softer texture.
NZ cheddar is crafted from fresh milk sourced from grass-fed cows. The milk is combined with sea salt and rennet, along with proprietary starter cultures, to create a unique flavour profile. The use of grass-fed milk imparts a rich, creamy taste and contributes to the overall quality of the cheese.
The mildness of NZ cheddar makes it a versatile option for various culinary applications. It can be enjoyed as a table or snack cheese, adding a subtle flavour to crackers or sandwiches. Its mild nature also makes it suitable for cooking and baking, enhancing dishes without overwhelming other ingredients.
While NZ cheddar is typically sold young, some varieties are aged for a more pronounced flavour. These aged cheddars develop a sharper, nuttier taste and a crumbly texture. The aging process intensifies the flavour, resulting in a more complex and robust cheese.
The demand for NZ cheddar extends beyond New Zealand's borders, with significant exports contributing to the country's dairy industry. However, within New Zealand itself, there is a perceived preference for cheaper, mass-produced cheese. This has created a dynamic where certain premium NZ cheddars may be more affordable in other countries, such as Australia, than they are domestically.
The Visual Guide to Cheddar Cheese: Appearance and Texture
You may want to see also
Cheddar made from grass-fed cows
Cheddar cheese made from grass-fed cows is a delicious and healthy option for cheese lovers. The quality of the milk from grass-fed cows is exceptional, and it makes for a superior cheddar with a unique flavour profile.
Grassmilk® cows, for example, are fed a diet of organic pasture grasses and legumes, such as alfalfa and clover, in the summer. In the winter, they are given dried grasses and legumes, along with supplements like minerals, vitamins, and molasses. This diet is not only natural but also ensures the cows' nutritional and energy needs are met, especially when they are producing milk. The milk is also regularly tested for bacteria to ensure its quality.
The result of this careful farming practice is a delicious, semi-hard white cheddar with top notes of grass and flower petals and base notes of rich "umami" flavours like dark roasted pecans and butter-sautéed morels. The cheese has a complex, buttery finish that pairs well with a Chardonnay and stands up to horseradish.
One producer, Organic Valley, ages their Grassmilk® Raw Cheddar a minimum of 60 days to develop these flavours. They also produce a Grassmilk® Raw Sharp Cheddar, which is aged a minimum of 6 months for a sharper bite. The company sources its milk from small organic family farms that respect the land and all the plants and animals that live on it.
Another producer, Alpine Heritage Creamery, also makes handcrafted artisanal cheese using only raw organic milk from 100% grass-fed cows. Their cheese is so good that Honey Brook Farms, despite rarely reselling another farm's product, offers it to their customers.
Cheddar Cheese: Unlocking Its Nutritional Benefits
You may want to see also
NZ cheddar's mild flavour
NZ cheddars are known for their mild flavour, which is achieved through a combination of production methods and shorter aging times. The mild flavour of New Zealand cheddar is described as having a delicate, creamy, and smooth profile. This is in contrast to more mature cheddars, which have a sharper, fuller flavour.
The mild flavour of NZ cheddar is influenced by several factors, including the use of grass-fed, pasture-raised cows, which is said to impart a unique taste to the cheese. The manufacturing process involves using fresh milk from these cows, along with sea salt, rennet, and proprietary starter cultures, resulting in a distinctly New Zealand cheddar flavour.
One example of a mild NZ cheddar is the Mainland Tasty Light, which offers a full-flavoured cheddar experience with 30% less fat. Another option is the standard Mainland Mild, which has a delicate flavour and a smooth, firm texture. Mainland cheddars are widely available in New Zealand and are considered a popular choice for those seeking a milder cheese option.
It is worth noting that NZ cheddars are often sold "young," which contributes to their mild flavour. The aging time for cheese can significantly impact its flavour profile, with longer-aged cheddars developing a more pronounced and sharp taste. However, some consumers in New Zealand have expressed a preference for milder, less mature cheeses, which may contribute to the prevalence of mild-flavoured cheddars in the market.
In summary, NZ cheddars are known for their mild flavour, which is influenced by the use of grass-fed cow's milk, production techniques, and shorter aging times. This results in a delicate, creamy, and smooth flavour profile that is distinctively New Zealand. While sharper and more mature cheddars are also available, the mild variety holds a prominent place in the country's cheese market.
The Perfect Cheese Pair: What Rhymes With Cheddar?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
NZ cheddar's nutty flavour
New Zealand cheddar cheese is crafted from fresh milk sourced from grass-fed cows. It is seasoned with sea salt and rennet and incorporates proprietary starter cultures to produce its mild, unique flavour. The cheese is then aged to perfection, resulting in a rich, sharp, crumbly texture with a creamy finish.
One of the defining characteristics of New Zealand cheddar is its nutty flavour, which can range from subtle to pronounced. This nutty note is a result of the ageing process and the specific cultures used during production. The longer the cheese is aged, the more pronounced the nutty flavour becomes. This ageing process also contributes to the cheese's sharp aroma and crumbly texture.
The nutty flavour of New Zealand cheddar adds a unique dimension to the cheese's overall profile. It provides a depth of flavour that is both savoury and slightly sweet, reminiscent of toasted nuts. This characteristic flavour has made New Zealand cheddar a favourite among cheese connoisseurs and enthusiasts worldwide.
While the nutty flavour is a defining trait, the cheese also exhibits other desirable characteristics. Its texture, for instance, is known to be crumbly yet creamy, providing a delightful contrast in mouthfeel. The cheese's sharp aroma further enhances its appeal, tantalising the taste buds even before the first bite.
New Zealand cheddars, with their nutty flavour, are versatile cheeses that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. They can be served as a table or snack cheese, paired with complementary wines, or used in cooking and baking to elevate everyday dishes. The nutty flavour adds a unique twist to traditional recipes, making it a favourite ingredient for creative chefs and home cooks alike.
Cheddar Cheese Mold: Understanding the Unwanted Growth
You may want to see also
Cheddar pricing in NZ
Pricing for cheddar cheese in New Zealand varies depending on the quality and type of cheddar. While retail pricing can be hard to find as most cheddar is sold to businesses for commercial, industrial, or export purposes, one source mentions that the budget low-end of the pricing spectrum is around $200, with more premium common cheese reaching up to $400 per kilogram. For instance, a 2018 retail price for Kapiti Cheddar (20kg) was $457.
NZ cheddar is generally sold "young", and the country has a peculiar relationship with cheese, favoring it in its cheapest, most mass-producible form. This dynamic creates a situation where cheap cheeses are both low-quality and expensive, while better alternatives are viewed as niche products.
Mainland tasty cheddar is considered a "luxury" item by some, and it is cheaper in Australian supermarkets than in New Zealand. One cost-saving method suggested by a local is to buy a block of "mild" cheddar and leave it out of the fridge for 5 days to get tasty cheddar at a better price.
To find American-style cheddar cheese slices in New Zealand, one must typically go to catering supply spots or specific websites. Anchor cheddar slices (used by McDonald's) and Bega cheddar slices can be found at Gilmours, while Dairy Works cheddar slices (in packs of 10) can be purchased at Foodchainathome.co.nz.
Cheddar Cheese: Is It Truly Unripened?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
NZ cheddar cheese is a type of cheese manufactured from fresh milk from grass-fed cows, sea salt, rennet, and proprietary starter cultures. It has a mild, nutty flavor and a sharp aroma.
NZ cheddar cheese is made from fresh milk from grass-fed cows, sea salt, rennet, and proprietary starter cultures.
NZ cheddar cheese has a mild, nutty flavor and a sharp aroma.
You can buy NZ cheddar cheese from various retailers and websites, including Whole Foods Market, CheesyPlace Canada, and Wood River Creamery.
NZ cheddar cheese is manufactured from fresh milk from grass-fed cows, which gives it a distinct flavor and texture. It is also typically sold "young" and aged for a shorter time than other cheddars.
