Andy Montoya
Cheddar cheese is a staple in many kitchens and a favourite for snacking and cooking. With so many options available, it can be challenging to choose the best-tasting cheddar cheese. Taste is subjective, but several factors can influence the flavour and quality of cheddar cheese, including age, texture, ingredients, and region of origin. In blind taste tests, popular supermarket brands like Cracker Barrel, Cabot, and Kraft have been compared to determine the best-tasting cheddar cheese. In terms of flavour, texture, and saltiness, the Whole Foods house brand scored the highest in one ranking. Tillamook's Maker's Reserve 2014 Extra Sharp White Cheddar was named the 'Best Cheddar in the World' at the World Cheese Awards, impressing judges with its bright and buttery flavour and crystallised bits adding a crunch. Other factors that influence the taste of cheddar cheese include its sharpness, ranging from mild to extra sharp, and its ability to melt, which can enhance its flavour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brand | Cracker Barrel, Whole Foods, Kerrygold, Tillamook, Sargento, Kraft, Cabot, Cougar Gold, Black Bomber by Snowdonia, Renards, McCadam, Trader Joe's, Organic Valley, Market Pantry, Sartori, Deer Creek, Cotswold, Wyke Farm’s Ivy’s Vintage, etc. |
| Type | Sharp, mild, extra sharp, medium, white, yellow, block, sliced, shredded, etc. |
| Texture | Semi-firm, crumbly, bendy, oily, gooey, smooth, etc. |
| Taste | Nutty, tangy, salty, bitter, sweet, sharp, mild, etc. |
| Source | Nationally available, local, small-batch, etc. |
| Age | Mild cheddar is aged for less than a year, sharp cheddar is aged for about a year, and extra sharp cheddar is usually aged for two years. |
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What You'll Learn
Best cheddar cheese for grilled cheese sandwiches
There are many options when it comes to choosing the best cheddar cheese for grilled cheese sandwiches. Firstly, it is important to note that the aging process of cheddar affects the taste of the cheese, so you can select a sharpness that works for your palate. For instance, if you're working with sweet flavours from sliced apples, caramelized onions or bacon, a sharp cheddar variety is recommended. On the other hand, if you prefer milder, mellow cheddar notes to complement herby flavours, a very young, white cheddar is ideal.
Cheddar is a versatile cheese that can be combined with other cheeses to create the perfect grilled cheese sandwich. For instance, a blend of young and aged cheddar combines the best of both worlds, offering a good melt and extra flavour. You can also pair it with a cheese that has a smoother melting texture, like Comte, Gruyere or Fontina.
For a classic grilled cheese sandwich, mild or medium cheddar is the perfect choice, offering a gooey, crispy delight. A combination of mozzarella and vintage cheddar is also a great option for a superior golden buttery crust. Mozzarella provides the stretch and the perfect cheese pull, while cheddar adds flavour.
If you're looking for a simple, quick option, pre-sliced cheddar can be used. Alternatively, grating your own cheese is recommended as pre-grated cheese often contains fillers that prevent it from clumping and affects its melting ability.
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Best sharp cheddar cheese
Cheddar cheese is the most popular cheese in the United Kingdom and the second most popular in the United States. The sharpness of cheddar cheese depends on its aging time, with mild cheddars aged for less than a year and sharp cheddars aged for about a year. Extra sharp cheddars are usually aged for two years, and anything beyond that is often labelled as some kind of reserve. The longer aging time results in a tangier, nuttier, and more sour flavour.
Cabot Creamery
Cabot offers four levels of sharpness to cater to different palates. Their naturally-aged cheddars have 0g of lactose per serving. The Cabot Legacy Collection Alpine Cheddar Cheese was favoured by a taste tester from Flowers Tales, who described it as "very creamy" with a "much stronger flavour" than other cheddars.
Tillamook Sharp Cheddar
Tillamook Sharp Cheddar is aged for over 9 months and is the only orange cheese in a taste test by Flowers Tales. It was described as "super smooth and creamy" and "very mild" by taste testers from The Kitchn and Flowers Tales, respectively. It is also available in a Medium White Cheddar variety, which does not include any artificial colouring.
Trader Joe's Unexpected Cheddar Cheese
This plant-based cheddar cheese has a bold, sharp flavour, made with cashew milk, coconut oil, and organic rice miso. It has less saturated fat and sodium than other brands and no added sugars.
Kerrygold Reserve
Kerrygold offers a variety of cheddars, including a Reserve cheddar that is aged for 2 years. It was the favourite in a sharp cheddar tasting by a Reddit user.
Old Quebec
Old Quebec's 7- and 10-year cheddars are described by a Reddit user as "sharp, smooth, creamy, [with] a bit of a sweet finish and no bitter/sour notes found in many cheddars."
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Best mild cheddar cheese
Mild cheddar cheese is typically aged for less than a year, and it has a creamy, buttery flavour. While mild cheddars may not have the same depth of character as their sharper counterparts, they are still a popular choice for those who prefer a more subtle taste.
Tillamook's Medium White Cheddar Cheese is a great option for those who enjoy a milder flavour. It is made with milk, salt, and enzymes, and is free from artificial colouring, which is often added to mainstream brands to create a neon-orange hue. This cheese also provides 15% of your daily calcium needs per serving, making it a nutritious option. It has a mild, nutty flavour, which has been described as "good cheese—like fancy cheese board cheese".
Cabot's Alpine Cheddar Cheese is another mild variety that has received positive reviews. It has a creamy texture and subtle parmesan notes. This cheese is also made with milk from a farmer's co-op, giving it a unique, local flavour.
For those who are health-conscious, Sargento's Sharp Cheddar is a mild option that has been described as "distinctly sharp and tangy". It is available pre-sliced or shredded, making it a convenient choice for cheeseburgers or sandwiches.
Finally, for those who follow a dairy-free or vegan lifestyle, Miyoko's Creamery offers a delicious plant-based Roadhouse Cheddar Cheese Spread. While it may not be a traditional block of cheese, it is a great alternative for those with dietary restrictions, and it pairs well with crackers.
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Best nationally available cheddar cheese
Cheddar cheese is the most popular cheese in the United Kingdom and is a close second to mozzarella in the US. It is made from milk, usually from a cow, which is added to cultures and rennet to curdle. The curds are then cut, stacked, and flipped in a process called cheddaring, which removes excess moisture until the cheese reaches a semi-firm texture. Cheddar is often labelled as "mild", "sharp", "extra sharp", or "seriously sharp", with the labels indicating how long the cheese has been aged. Mild cheddars are aged for less than a year, sharp cheddars for about a year, and extra sharp cheddars for two years.
The best nationally available cheddar cheese in the US is a matter of personal preference, but here are some of the most popular options:
Tillamook
Tillamook is a farmer-owned cooperative based in Oregon that has received multiple awards for its cheddar cheese, including the title of "Best Cheddar in the World" at the World Cheese Awards in 2014. Their Maker's Reserve Extra Sharp White Cheddar has a complex flavour with notes of brown butter and caramel. Tillamook's Farmers' Collection Hickory Smoked Extra Sharp White Cheddar and Farmers' Collection English-Style Sweet Cheddar have also received bronze-level awards. Their Medium Cheddar has also been praised for its good, fresh, creamy dairy taste.
Cabot
Cabot is a well-known cheese brand that offers a range of cheddar cheeses, including Seriously Sharp, Vermont Extra Sharp, NY Extra Sharp, Cabot Clothbound, and a waxed 5-year cheddar. Their cheddars are known for their sharp flavour and nice crunchy crystals.
Cracker Barrel
Cracker Barrel is a classic cheddar cheese brand launched by Kraft in 1954. Their cheese is shaped into a brick that can be easily sliced into little squares, making it perfect for piling on top of crackers. It has a quintessential sharp cheddar flavour that is tasty without being too fancy.
Kerrygold
Kerrygold is another popular brand of cheddar cheese, with their Reserve cheddar (aged for 2 years) being a favourite among many.
Trader Joe's Organic American Singles
These individually wrapped cheese slices were ranked as a favourite by tasters, who praised their supple texture and good flavour both cold and warm.
Kraft Deli Deluxe American Cheese Slices
These cheese slices offer a nice balance between processed cheese and mild cheddar. They have a velvety texture and flavour, with a savoury tang. They melt wonderfully, making them ideal for grilled cheese sandwiches.
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Best cheddar cheese for mac and cheese
When it comes to the best-tasting cheddar cheese for mac and cheese, there are a few factors to consider. Firstly, the cheese should have a good balance of meltability and flavour. While young and processed cheeses melt smoothly, they may taste bland when mixed with pasta. On the other hand, aged and funky cheeses add a lot of complex flavour but can be tricky to melt. The ideal cheese for mac and cheese falls somewhere in the middle, with a full-bodied taste, creaminess, and the ability to melt smoothly.
Cheddar cheese is a popular choice for mac and cheese due to its classic taste, meltability, and affordability. When selecting cheddar, it is recommended to choose a block of sharp, medium, or mild cheddar and grate it yourself, as pre-shredded cheese may not melt as well. Sharp cheddar has the strongest flavour, while medium cheddar has more moisture and yields a creamier sauce. Mild cheddar, though less sharp in taste, can still add a good amount of flavour to the dish. It is advisable to avoid extra-sharp or farmhouse cheddar varieties, as they may separate and become oily when heated.
While cheddar is a great base cheese, you can experiment with different combinations to enhance the flavour of your mac and cheese. Smoked cheddar, for example, adds a unique twist to the dish. You can also try blending cheddar with cheeses like smoked provolone, gouda, gruyère, or parmesan. These cheeses melt well and offer a sophisticated taste or a nutty flavour that complements the cheddar. Just remember to grate your own cheese and add it in small amounts, allowing each addition to melt before adding more, to ensure a smooth and creamy sauce.
In addition to the type of cheese, the colour of cheddar is also worth considering. Both white and orange cheddar can be used, depending on your preference, as the colour does not impact the taste. Lastly, when preparing your mac and cheese, avoid letting your cheddar-based sauce boil, as it can become greasy and stringy. Instead, mix the cheese into a béchamel sauce made from butter, flour, and milk, which will help stabilise the melting cheese and ensure a silky texture.
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Frequently asked questions
Tillamook's Maker's Reserve 2014 Extra Sharp White Cheddar was named the 'Best Cheddar in the World' at the 2024 World Cheese Awards.
Other popular cheddars include Cracker Barrel, Kerrygold, Cabot, Sargento, and Boar's Head.
Cheddars are often labelled as mild, sharp, extra sharp, or "seriously sharp." Mild cheddars are typically aged for less than a year, while sharp cheddars are aged for about a year. Extra sharp cheddars are usually aged for two years, and anything beyond that is often labelled as a reserve.
In addition to flavour, texture is also important when selecting a cheddar cheese. A good cheddar should slice cleanly without crumbling and should have a semi-firm texture. If you plan on melting the cheese, look for a variety that is known to melt well, such as cheddar shredded from a block rather than pre-shredded cheese.
Good cheddar cheese can be found at most grocery stores, including Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and Target. If you're looking for a more unique option, consider visiting a local farmer's market or cheese shop to sample and purchase locally made cheeses.
