Frederic Melton
Cheddar cheese is a popular type of cheese that originated in the village of Cheddar in Somerset, England. It is now made all over the world, but the original and most well-known version comes from England. Cheddar is typically made from cow's milk, although variations using goat's or sheep's milk also exist. Most of the cheddar produced in New Zealand is factory-made, although some are handmade by artisan cheesemakers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | Cheddar, Somerset, England |
| Date of Origin | 12th century |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk |
| Other Milk Types | Goat's milk, sheep's milk |
| Colour | Off-white, orange |
| Texture | Hard |
| Taste | Sharp |
| Regions | Canada, New Zealand, UK |
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What You'll Learn
- Cheddar cheese is made in England, Scotland, North America, Australia and New Zealand
- The original and most well-known cheddar comes from England
- Cheddar made in the US varies in colour depending on the region
- Cheddar was traditionally made from the milk of local Somerset cows
- Cheddar is the world's most popular cheese
Cheddar cheese is made in England, Scotland, North America, Australia and New Zealand
In 2007, the name West Country Farmhouse Cheddar was registered in the European Union and (after Brexit) the United Kingdom, defined as cheddar produced from local milk within Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall and manufactured using traditional methods. In 2013, Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) was registered for Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar in the EU, which also applies under UK law.
Most of the cheddar produced in New Zealand is factory-made, although some are handmade by artisan cheesemakers. Factory-made cheddar is generally sold relatively young within New Zealand, but the Anchor dairy company ships New Zealand cheddars to the UK, where the blocks mature for another year or so.
Canadian cheddar cheese soup is a featured dish at the Canada Pavilion at Epcot in Walt Disney World.
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The original and most well-known cheddar comes from England
Cheddar cheese is a relatively hard, off-white or orange cheese that originated in the village of Cheddar in Somerset, England. The original and most well-known cheddar comes from England, where it has been made since at least the 12th century. It is one of the world's most widely consumed and recognised cheeses.
Cheddar cheese takes its name from Cheddar Gorge and the market town of Cheddar, where cheeses were once matured in the natural caves and sold to tourists visiting the Gorge. It is said to have been made there since at least the 16th century, though many would claim longer. There are references dating back to the 12th century, and King Henry II was reported in 1170 to be very fond of the cheese, declaring it to be the best in Britain.
Cheddar is typically made from cow's milk, although variations using goat's or sheep's milk also exist. Traditional cheddar cheese was made from the milk of local Somerset cows, which are known for their rich and creamy milk. Cheddar cheese is now produced and enjoyed in most parts of the world, but Somerset cheddar is still prized for its authentic flavour and heritage.
In 2007, the name West Country Farmhouse Cheddar was registered in the European Union and (after Brexit) the United Kingdom, defined as cheddar produced from local milk within Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall and manufactured using traditional methods. Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) was registered for Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar in 2013 in the EU, which also applies under UK law.
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Cheddar made in the US varies in colour depending on the region
Cheddar cheese originated in the village of Cheddar in Somerset, England, and is now made all over the world. The colour of cheddar made in the US varies depending on the region. For example, cheddar made in New Zealand is typically factory-made and sold young, while the Anchor dairy company ships New Zealand cheddars to the UK, where the blocks mature for another year or so.
Cheddar is typically made from cow's milk, although variations using goat's or sheep's milk also exist. The colour of the cheese can vary depending on the type of milk used, with goat's milk tending to produce a lighter-coloured cheese than cow's milk.
In addition, the colour of cheddar can be influenced by the addition of colourings such as annatto, which gives the cheese an orange hue. The use of annatto is more common in some regions than others, which can result in regional variations in the colour of cheddar cheese.
Finally, the age of the cheese can also affect its colour. As cheddar ages, it tends to become darker and more intense in colour. Therefore, the length of time that the cheese is aged for can also contribute to regional variations in the colour of cheddar.
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Cheddar was traditionally made from the milk of local Somerset cows
Cheddar is the world's most popular cheese, accounting for over half of all British cheese sales. It was introduced to Scotland and North America by Joseph Harding and his wife, and their sons Henry and William Harding were responsible for introducing cheddar cheese production to Australia and New Zealand. During the Second World War and for nearly a decade after, most of the milk in Britain was used to make a single kind of cheese nicknamed "government cheddar" as part of the war economy and rationing.
In the United States, cheddar made in New England kept its natural white colour, while cheddar made in the Midwest was tinted orange with annatto.
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Cheddar is the world's most popular cheese
Cheddar is typically made from cow's milk, although variations using goat's or sheep's milk also exist. It is now produced all over the world, but the original and most well-known version comes from England. Cheddar from Somerset, England, is still prized for its authentic flavour and heritage.
In 2007, the name West Country Farmhouse Cheddar was registered in the European Union and (after Brexit) the United Kingdom, defined as cheddar produced from local milk within Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall and manufactured using traditional methods. Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) was registered for Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar in 2013 in the EU, which also applies under UK law.
Most of the cheddar produced in New Zealand is factory-made, although some are handmade by artisan cheesemakers. Factory-made cheddar is generally sold relatively young within New Zealand, but the Anchor dairy company ships New Zealand cheddars to the UK, where the blocks mature for another year or so.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheddar cheese is made all over the world, but it originated in the village of Cheddar in Somerset, England.
Cheddar cheese dates back to at least the 16th century, with some references dating back to the 12th century. It is said that King Henry II was very fond of the cheese, declaring it to be the best in Britain.
Cheddar cheese does not have a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). However, the name West Country Farmhouse Cheddar was registered in the European Union and the United Kingdom in 2007, defined as cheddar produced from local milk within Somerset, Dorset, Devon, and Cornwall and manufactured using traditional methods.
