Randy Chandler
Cheese is a beloved food worldwide, with a rich history that dates back thousands of years. While archaeological discoveries have revealed traces of cheese in ancient pottery, the oldest pieces of cheese ever found are over 3,000 years old, preserved in desert tombs in Egypt and China. These ancient cheeses are inedible, but they showcase our long-standing love for cheese. In terms of edible cheese, the oldest on record was a 40-year-old cheddar from Wisconsin, crafted by cheesemaker Ed Zahn. This cheese was accidentally discovered and quietly sold, intriguing those seeking the exceptional flavour profiles that come with aged cheese. For those eager to sample older cheddars, options exist, with some retailers offering 19-year-old cheddars and others boasting of 20-year-old batches, showcasing the allure of well-aged cheese.
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What You'll Learn
The oldest edible cheese
There are several other mentions of very old cheese, some of which are still available to buy. For example, a 27-year-old vintage cheddar from 1997 is available from Wisconsin Cheese Mart. A 19-year-old artisanal cheddar from Southern Wisconsin is available from Cheese Brothers. A 17-year-old cheddar is sold by Gardeners Wisconsin Cheese. A 20-year-old cheddar is available from Burnett County Dairy in Wisconsin.
Aged cheese is described as having a sharp, nutty, tangy, and rich flavor. It is also said to have a firm yet crumbly texture and prized calcium lactate crystals.
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Where to buy old cheese
While it is not possible to pinpoint the oldest cheddar cheese in the world, several companies offer very old cheddar cheese for sale. One of the most well-known is Old Quebec Vintage Cheddar, an award-winning Canadian cheddar cheese made in Quebec and cured in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. This cheese is cured for a minimum of three years and occasionally longer, with some batches being aged for up to fifteen or even twenty years. Old Quebec Cheddar can be purchased online and shipped directly to your door from retailers such as Aniata Cheese Co., John F. Martin Meats, Pearl Valley Cheese Inc., and S. Clyde Weaver Inc.
S. Clyde Weaver Inc., a company based in the United States, offers a wide range of aged cheddar cheeses for sale online, with aging processes ranging from one to 21 years. Their selection includes the Sharp Conestoga Cheddar Cheese, which undergoes a one-year aging process, and the Super Sharp Canadian Cheddar, which undergoes a five-year aging process.
Another option for purchasing old cheddar cheese is to look for specialty cheesemongers or cheese shops that may carry older batches of cheddar. For example, one person on Reddit reported buying a 40-year-old block of Tillamook cheddar from a cheesemonger, while another mentioned that Kraemer's Wisconsin Cheese offers a 15-year-aged cheddar with the possibility of even older batches. The MouseHouse, a shop mentioned on Reddit, also carries a variety of well-aged cheddars at reasonable prices and offers free shipping for larger orders.
Finally, it is worth noting that some enthusiasts age their own cheddar cheese at home. In a Reddit thread, one user mentioned purposefully aging a block of New York cheddar for almost three years, while another discussed a 13-year-old block of Gardners Wisconsin Cheese that they believed could have been packaged in 2012, making it potentially 24 years old.
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How old cheese gets sold
The oldest edible cheese in the world was a 40-year-old cheddar from Wisconsin, made by cheesemaker Ed Zahn. However, it is not the oldest cheese ever discovered. In 2012, a scientific paper described the discovery of 7,000-year-old pottery shards from Poland with holes that resembled modern cheese strainers. Traces of fats from cow's milk were also found on the shards.
Older cheese, in general, can be purchased from dairies or specialty cheese stores. For example, Burnett County Dairy in Wisconsin sells a 14-year-old cheddar, and Grandpa's Cheese Barn in Ashland, Ohio, sells a 19-year-old extra sharp cheddar. Kraemer's Wisconsin Cheese sells a 15-year-old cheddar, and some of their cheeses are aged even longer. Local grocery stores may also carry very old cheese, although it may be difficult to find. Some grocery stores in Wisconsin frequently get 20+ year-old cheese, and Gardeners Wisconsin Cheese sells a 17-year-old cheddar. In addition, some people choose to buy Cougar Gold, a cheese made by food science students at Washington State University, and age it in their basements.
When purchasing or consuming old cheese, it is important to exercise caution and use common sense. While mould on the exterior of firm, salty cheeses like Parmesan, cheddar, gouda, or jack may be unappetizing, it is not dangerous. On the other hand, soft cheeses like brie, mozzarella, or feta should be discarded if they have developed mould.
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The process of ageing cheese
Ageing, also known as ripening, is one of the most important steps in the process of making cheese. It is during this process that cheese develops its full flavour, aroma, and texture. The ageing process is also responsible for breaking down lactose into lactic acid, which makes the cheese easier to digest.
Cheddar cheese is one of the most well-known aged cheeses. To begin ageing cheddar, it is important to ensure that the cheese is as dry as possible to the touch to avoid any mould growth. This process can take over a day. The cheese should then be stored in a place that remains at a consistent temperature between 10-15°C (42-55°F), and should see no light on a regular basis. The longer the cheese is aged, the sharper its taste will be. A properly sharp, mature cheddar should be aged for at least a year. Medium-aged cheddars should be aged for four to eight months, and mild, fresh cheddars should be aged for one to four months.
During the ageing process, long-chain proteins in the cheese break down into amino acid compounds, which give the cheese fruity, nutty, or smoky flavours. This process can also change the texture of the cheese, leading to the development of crunch crystals, or tyrosine. Another important part of the ageing process is the addition of other bacterial factors, such as mould cultures. Environmental factors like humidity and temperature also play a role in the process, which is typically referred to as terroir.
While ageing cheese, it is important to turn the cheese and wipe any mould off with a dry cloth. If there is a lot of mould, use a cloth soaked in brine to scrub it off. If the mould is internal, this means that the cheese was not properly prepared for ageing.
The oldest edible cheese in the world was a 40-year-old cheddar from Wisconsin, though blocks of 11-year-old cheddar have been sold commercially.
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The oldest cheese ever discovered
Cheese is one of the most popular foods in the world, and its long history is just as fascinating as its flavour. The process of turning dairy into cheese creates a large number of flavour molecules, which is why cheese is so delicious. In fact, archaeological research shows that people have been making cheese for about 7,500 years.
Another notable ancient cheese was discovered in China's Taklamakan Desert, dating back over 3,600 years (c.1615 BCE). This cheese was also derived from sheep and goat milk, and it is believed that it was buried with mummies as a snack for the afterlife.
In more recent times, a 40-year-old cheddar from Wisconsin made by cheesemaker Ed Zahn is considered the oldest (and edible!) cheese in the world. Zahn discovered the cheese by accident while cleaning out his shop, and it was reportedly delicious.
For those interested in trying aged cheddar, there are many options available on the market today. Burnett County Dairy in Wisconsin sells a 14-year-old cheddar, and Grandpa's Cheese Barn in Ohio offers a 19-year-old extra sharp cheddar. For those seeking an even older cheese, Hooks Cheese has released batches of 20-year-old cheddar, and it is possible to find cheeses aged 20 years or more at specialty stores and grocers.
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Frequently asked questions
The oldest (edible) cheese in the world was a 40-year-old cheddar from Wisconsin, made by cheesemaker Ed Zahn.
The 40-year-old cheddar was found by Ed Zahn while he was cleaning out his shop. Zahn also found 34-year-old and 28-year-old cheddars that he had forgotten about.
The price is not mentioned, but the cheese sold out, and those who tried it said it was delicious.
The oldest cheese ever discovered was found in the Taklamakan Desert in Xinjiang, China, and is over 3,600 years old (c.1615 BCE).
