Randy Chandler
There are almost 2,000 types of cheese in the world, with 750 different types made in the UK alone. Cheese is made from just four ingredients: milk (usually from cows, goats or sheep), salt, bacteria and rennet (an enzyme that separates the curds from the whey). With so many varieties to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. Luckily, experts from the Academy of Cheese have selected 30 must-try cheeses, including their origins, serving suggestions, wine and beer pairings, and popular brands.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of cheese varieties in the world | Nearly 2,000 |
| Number of cheese varieties made in the UK | 750 |
| Number of cheese varieties recommended by experts from the Academy of Cheese | 30+ |
| Number of ingredients in cheese | Four |
| Most popular milk used for cheese | Cow's milk |
| Other types of milk used for cheese | Goat's milk, sheep's milk |
| Type of cheese that originated in England | Cheddar |
| Type of cheese that is crumbly and can be blue, white or flavoured with fruits | Stilton |
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What You'll Learn
Cheddar
There are nearly 2,000 types of cheese in the world, so it can be hard to know where to start. Cheddar is a great place to begin your cheese journey. Originating in England, cheddar is typically made with cow's milk, but varieties made with sheep's or goat's milk are becoming increasingly popular, as are smoked cheddars.
Round truckles of farmhouse cheddar, such as Pitchfork and Montgomery's, are often cloth-bound and made with raw milk. These tend to be more expensive and are usually sold in specialist cheese shops or delis. Block cheddars, such as Cathedral City and Pilgrim's Choice, are made on a much larger scale in factories using pasteurised milk. These are the cheddars you are most likely to find in your local supermarket.
There are no regulations on the ageing of cheddar, but typically, mild cheddars are sold at three months and "extra mature" cheddars are aged for 15 months or more. The flavour of cheddar becomes more intense the longer it is aged. If you are new to cheese, you might want to start with a mild cheddar and work your way up to the stronger flavours.
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Blue, white or flavoured Stilton
There are nearly 2,000 types of cheese in the world, including 750 different types of cheese made in the UK alone. One of the most famous types of cheese is Stilton, which is a crumbly variety of cheese, which can be blue, white or flavoured, with fruits such as apricots, for example. The most famous is Blue Stilton, which is geographically protected, which means that under its PDO, Britain’s most famous blue can only be made in the three counties of Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Derbyshire.
Blue Stilton is a strong, tangy cheese with a creamy texture and a distinctive blue vein running through it. It is often served as a dessert cheese, accompanied by a glass of port. White Stilton is a milder, more subtle cheese, with a slightly crumbly texture. It is often served as a table cheese, accompanied by crackers and chutney. Flavoured Stilton, such as apricot Stilton, is a sweet, fruity cheese, with a slightly tangy aftertaste. It is often served as a dessert cheese, accompanied by a glass of dessert wine.
All three types of Stilton are made with cow's milk and have a similar crumbly texture. However, they differ in terms of flavour and intensity. Blue Stilton is the strongest and most intense, with a tangy, slightly salty flavour. White Stilton is milder and more subtle, with a slightly sweet aftertaste. Flavoured Stilton, such as apricot Stilton, is the sweetest and most fruity, with a tangy aftertaste that adds a bit of depth to the flavour.
When choosing which type of Stilton to try, consider your personal preferences for flavour and intensity. If you like strong, tangy cheeses, then Blue Stilton is a good option. If you prefer milder, more subtle cheeses, then White Stilton or flavoured Stilton may be a better choice. Ultimately, the best way to find out which type of Stilton you prefer is to try them all and see which one suits your taste buds the best!
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Soft, fresh cheeses
Some soft, fresh cheeses to try include:
- Cream cheese
- Feta
- Mozzarella
- Burrata
- Ricotta
- Goat cheese
- Brie
- French Double Cream
- Brillat Savarin
- Kunik
- Queso Gallego
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Cooked hard cheeses
There are nearly 2,000 types of cheese in the world, including 750 different types of cheese made in the UK alone. One type of cheese you should try is cooked hard cheese, which is aged for up to 42 months. The flavour gets more intense as the cheese ages.
Cheddar, for example, is a cooked hard cheese that originated in England. It is typically made with cow's milk, but sheep's or goat's milk cheddar is becoming increasingly popular, as are smoked varieties. Round truckles of farmhouse cheddar, such as Pitchfork and Montgomery’s, are often cloth-bound and made with raw milk, while block cheddar, including Cathedral City and Pilgrim’s Choice, is made on a much larger scale in factories using pasteurised milk. There are no regulations on ageing, with mild cheddars typically sold at three months and “extra mature” at 15 months plus.
Another type of cooked hard cheese to try is Stilton, a crumbly variety of cheese, which can be blue, white or flavoured, with fruits such as apricots, for example. The most famous is Blue Stilton, which is geographically protected, which means that under its PDO, Britain’s most famous blue can only be made in the three counties of Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Derbyshire.
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Goat's or sheep's milk cheese
There are nearly 2,000 types of cheese in the world, so it's worth branching out and trying something new. While cow's milk is the most popular type of milk used to make cheese, goat's and sheep's milk are also used to make a variety of cheeses.
Cheddar, for example, is typically made with cow's milk, but you can also find cheddars made with goat's or sheep's milk. These are becoming increasingly popular, as are smoked varieties. The flavour of cheddar becomes more intense the longer it is aged, with mild cheddars typically sold at three months and "extra mature" at 15 months plus.
If you're looking for a goat's or sheep's milk cheese with a crumbly texture, try a sheep's milk stilton. This can be blue, white or flavoured with fruits such as apricots. Blue stilton is geographically protected, which means that it can only be made in the three counties of Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Derbyshire.
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Frequently asked questions
There are nearly 2,000 types of cheese in the world, so it's hard to choose! Some popular varieties include cheddar, stilton, farmhouse and block cheddars, and cloth-bound cheddars.
Farmhouse cheddars are typically made with raw milk and are cloth-bound, while block cheddars are made in factories using pasteurised milk.
Mild cheddars are typically sold at three months, while extra mature cheddars are aged for 15 months or more, resulting in a more intense flavour.
Blue stilton is Britain's most famous blue cheese and is geographically protected, meaning it can only be made in three counties in Nottinghamshire. White stilton is a crumbly variety that can be flavoured with fruits such as apricots.
