Patrick Oconnell
Cheddar cheese is a hard cheese with a sharp bite that originates from the village of Cheddar in Somerset, southwest England. It is traditionally made within 30 miles of Wells Cathedral. In 2007, the name 'West Country Farmhouse Cheddar' was registered in the UK and the EU, meaning that cheddar produced from local milk within Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall and manufactured using traditional methods could be given this name.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | Cheddar, Somerset, southwest England |
| PDO | West Country Farmhouse Cheddar |
| PDO registration date | 2007 |
| PDO definition | Cheddar produced from local milk within Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset, manufactured using traditional methods |
| PDO producers | 14 different makers based in the West Country |
| PDO production location | Farm in Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, or Somerset |
| PDO milk source | Local |
| PDO production method | Traditional cheddar-making techniques |
| PGI | Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar |
| PGI registration date | 2013 |
| PGI registration location | European Union and United Kingdom |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Cheddar cheese originates from the village of Cheddar in Somerset, southwest England
- Cheddar cheese does not have a PDO so it can be produced anywhere in the world
- The protected designation of origin (PDO) name 'West Country Farmhouse Cheddar' was registered in the UK in 2007
- Cheddar cheese has to be made on a farm in Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, or Somerset, using traditional methods and locally produced milk
- The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company is an award-winning artisan cheesemaking company based in Cheddar
Cheddar cheese originates from the village of Cheddar in Somerset, southwest England
The 19th-century Somerset dairyman Joseph Harding was central to the modernisation and standardisation of cheddar. For his technical innovations, promotion of dairy hygiene, and volunteer dissemination of modern cheese-making techniques, Harding has been dubbed "the father of cheddar".
Cheddar is now produced all over the world and does not have a PDO, so it can be produced anywhere. However, the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) was registered for Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar in 2013 in the EU, which also applies under UK law.
In the UK, there are 14 different makers licensed to use the PDO "West Country Farmhouse Cheddar". It has to be made on a farm in Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, or Somerset, and from locally produced milk using traditional cheddar-making techniques.
Saganaki: Perfect Cheeses and Liquors for a Flaming Dish
You may want to see also
Cheddar cheese does not have a PDO so it can be produced anywhere in the world
Cheddar cheese originates from the village of Cheddar in Somerset, southwest England. Traditionally, Cheddar cheese had to be made within 30 miles of Wells Cathedral. However, Cheddar cheese does not have a PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) so it can be produced anywhere in the world. In 2007, the name 'West Country Farmhouse Cheddar' was registered in the EU and the UK as a PDO, defined as cheddar produced from local milk within Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset, and manufactured using traditional methods. There are 14 different makers licensed to use this PDO.
Despite this, bigger dairies across Britain also produce cheddar, and the style and quality of cheeses labelled as cheddar varies greatly. For example, Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar has a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) registered in the EU and under UK law.
How Much Milk Goes Into Cheese Production?
You may want to see also
The protected designation of origin (PDO) name 'West Country Farmhouse Cheddar' was registered in the UK in 2007
Cheddar cheese originates from the village of Cheddar in Somerset, southwest England. In 2007, the protected designation of origin (PDO) name West Country Farmhouse Cheddar was registered in the UK and the EU. This means that Cheddar with this name must be produced from local milk within Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset, and manufactured using traditional methods. The PDO was registered to protect the UK geographical indication of the cheese, which has been produced in the area since before 2021.
The West Country Farmhouse Cheddar PDO is the only European Cheddar recognised with the EU's PDO classification. The Slow Food Movement has created a Cheddar presidium, arguing that only three cheeses should be called "original cheddar". Their specifications go further than the PDO, requiring that Cheddar be made in Somerset with traditional methods, such as using raw milk, traditional animal rennet and a cloth wrapping.
The name "cheddar" is not protected under EU or UK law, so it can be produced anywhere in the world. However, the PDO name West Country Farmhouse Cheddar is protected, and may only be produced in Somerset, Devon, Dorset and Cornwall, using milk sourced from those counties.
The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Co. is the only producer of the cheese now based in the village of Cheddar, although the cheese does not have to be made within 30 miles of Wells Cathedral as it traditionally was.
Feta Cheese: Exploring Its Global Reach and Origins
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Cheddar cheese has to be made on a farm in Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, or Somerset, using traditional methods and locally produced milk
Cheddar cheese originates from the village of Cheddar in Somerset, in the southwest of England. The cheese is traditionally hard with a sharp bite. While Cheddar cheese does not have a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and can be produced anywhere in the world, the name 'West Country Farmhouse Cheddar' was registered in the EU and the UK in 2007. This defined Cheddar as being produced from local milk within Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset, using traditional methods. The British Cheese Board states that it must be made on a farm in one of these four counties.
The Cheddar Gorge on the edge of the village contains a number of caves, which provide the ideal humidity and steady temperature for maturing the cheese. Cheddar traditionally had to be made within 30 miles of Wells Cathedral. The 19th-century Somerset dairyman Joseph Harding was central to the modernisation and standardisation of Cheddar. For his technical innovations, promotion of dairy hygiene, and volunteer dissemination of modern cheese-making techniques, Harding has been dubbed "the father of Cheddar".
The West Country Farmhouse Cheddar designation is now held by fourteen different makers based in the West Country. The Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) was registered for Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar in 2013 in the EU, which also applies under UK law. Globally, the style and quality of cheeses labelled as Cheddar vary greatly, with some processed cheeses packaged as "Cheddar".
Best Buy Cheese: Where Is It From?
You may want to see also
The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company is an award-winning artisan cheesemaking company based in Cheddar
Cheddar cheese originates from the village of Cheddar in Somerset, southwest England. Traditionally, Cheddar cheese had to be made within 30 miles of Wells Cathedral. The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company is an award-winning artisan cheesemaking company based in Cheddar. Founded by John and Katherine Spencer, the couple had been working in the cheese industry for decades before deciding to set up their own brand. In fact, it was through their jobs in cheese that they met and fell in love. John and Katherine don’t live in Cheddar, but they knew that the only way to produce a truly authentic cheddar cheese, they needed to be based there. In 2003, they opened their production site and shop and have been working hard at it ever since.
The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company is one of fourteen different makers based in the West Country that are licensed to use the EU Protected Designation of Origin "West Country Farmhouse Cheddar". This means that the cheese must be made on a farm in Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, or Somerset, and from locally produced milk using traditional cheddar-making techniques.
Cheddar cheese does not have a PDO so it can be produced anywhere in the world. There are many varieties of Cheddar available. In 2007, the protected designation of origin (PDO) name ‘West Country Farmhouse Cheddar’ was registered in the EU and the UK. This defined cheddar being produced from local milk within Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset, manufactured using traditional methods.
The Science Behind Cheese: Understanding Cow's Milk Magic
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Cheddar cheese originates from the village of Cheddar in Somerset, southwest England.
Cheddar cheese does not have a PDO, so it can be produced anywhere in the world. However, the name 'West Country Farmhouse Cheddar' was registered in the EU and the UK in 2007, which defined Cheddar being produced from local milk within Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset, using traditional methods.
The PGI for Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar was registered in the EU in 2013, which also applies under UK law.
Popular brands of Cheddar cheese include Seriously Strong, Pilgrims Choice, and Cathedral City.
Cheddar cheese is traditionally a hard cheese with a sharp bite. It is made from local milk and matured in caves, which provide the ideal humidity and steady temperature.
