Andy Montoya
Canadian cheddar cheese is a type of cheese that is now produced in Canada, though it originated in England. It has a smoother, creamier texture and a perfect balance of flavour and sharpness. The cheese is aged for at least three months and up to six years to achieve its optimal quality. You can buy Canadian cheddar cheese from various online stores such as Shisler's Cheese House, Hummers Meats, Cheesyplace.com, and Grandpa's Cheese Barn.
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What You'll Learn
Online stores selling Canadian cheddar cheese
There are several online stores that sell Canadian cheddar cheese. Shisler's Cheese House, for example, offers Canadian Fine Aged Cheddar, which has been aged for four years, giving it a strong and sharp flavour. The Cheese Lady is another option, selling Canadian cheddar that can be picked up in-store or delivered straight to your vehicle. Wilson's Cheese Shoppe also offers Canadian cheddar, including a 10-year variety and a 7-year variety. Additionally, Grandpa's Cheese Barn sells an aged, smooth white Canadian cheddar, and Boar's Head offers a 3-year-old pre-cut Canadian cheddar that is aged for over 1000 days.
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Physical stores selling Canadian cheddar cheese
Shisler's Cheese House, located at 55 Kidron Rd. Orrville, OH 44667, is a physical store that sells Canadian cheddar cheese. They offer a variety of Canadian fine aged cheddars, including a four-year-aged cheddar with a strong, sharp, and crumbly texture.
Hummer's Meats also offers Canadian cheddar cheese, specifically a super-sharp variety that has been aged for a minimum of three years. It is available for purchase in 1 lb blocks on their website, and they also have a physical store.
Cheesyplace.com, which delivers across the Greater Toronto Area, offers a 10-year-old aged Canadian cheddar with a smooth, crumbly texture and nutty, sweet, and strong flavours.
Additionally, The Dover Cheese Shop and Grandpa's Cheese Barn also offer Canadian cheddar cheese, although their physical store locations are unclear.
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Canadian cheddar cheese varieties
Although Cheddar cheese originated in England, Canada now produces some of the best Cheddar in the world. The climate, soil, pasture, cattle stock, and milk quality are what set Canadian Cheddar apart. Canadian Cheddars have a smoother, creamier texture and offer the right balance of flavour and sharpness. The flavour, texture, and aroma of Cheddar cheese can vary depending on their age. Cheddar is traditionally creamy white in colour, but it often appears dyed in an orange hue due to the addition of tasteless food colouring. The cheese can be made from raw, pasteurised, or thermalized milk to retain more of the flavour-enhancing enzymes. Cow’s milk is the most common source of milk for making the cheese, but Canadian Cheddar made from sheep or goat's milk is also available.
Canadian Cheddar cheese is produced almost entirely by a number of large companies in Ontario, with Quebec being the second-largest producer. There are also limited artisanal producers. The most prize-winning Cheddar maker in Canada is the Balderson Cheese Company. The cheese is aged for a minimum of three months and a maximum of six years for optimal quality. Some flavoured Cheddar cheeses made in Canada include cranberry, dill, flax, garlic, jalapeno, olive, and sun-dried tomato. Some common types of Canadian Cheddars are Lancashire, Double Gloucester, Wensleydale, Leicester, Derby, Cheshire, Cantal, Caerphilly, and Colby.
Some Canadian Cheddar cheese varieties include ADL Mild Cheddar, Boivin Medium Cheddar, Bothwell Black Truffle Cheddar, and Fine Aged Cheddar. The latter is aged for a longer period, giving it a stronger or “sharper” flavour. Strong, mature Cheddar, sometimes called vintage, needs to be matured for up to 15 months. Canadian Fine Aged Cheddar is aged for four years.
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Canadian cheddar cheese characteristics
Canadian cheddar cheese has a smoother and creamier texture than other cheddars, along with the right balance of flavour and sharpness. The flavour, texture, and aroma of Canadian cheddar vary depending on its age. Young cheddar cheese is firm, while aged cheddar is harder and more brittle. When melted, the texture of cheddar becomes smooth and creamy. Canadian cheddar is typically classified into six categories based on their moisture content: firm, soft, semi-soft, fresh, blue-veined, and hard. The colour of cheddar cheese can range from creamy white to orange due to the addition of tasteless food colouring.
Cheddar cheese, originally from the village of Cheddar in Somerset, South West England, has been produced in Canada since the early 17th century when Samuel de Champlain brought cows from Normandy. In the mid-19th century, a wheat midge outbreak in Canada led farmers in Ontario to transition to dairy farming, with cheddar cheese as their main exportable product. By the turn of the 20th century, there were 1,242 cheddar factories in Ontario, and cheddar became Canada's second-largest export after timber. Today, most Canadian cheddar is produced in the provinces of Quebec and Ontario, with Quebec being home to over 100 cheesemakers and more than half of the country's cheese manufacturers.
The process of making cheddar cheese involves several steps, including the addition of a starter culture to generate lactic acid, cutting and stirring the coagulum, draining off the whey, and cheddaring, where the curds are allowed to mat together to form large blocks of cheese mass. The curds are then milled and salted before being aged for at least three months and up to six years for optimal quality.
Canadian cheddar cheese is known for its versatility and can be used in a variety of dishes, from snacks and sandwiches to cooked meals like casseroles and soups. It is often added to products for its distinct flavour and to enhance their sensory appeal. Canadian cheddar is also suitable for shredding, slicing, and pairing with wines and ales.
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Canadian cheddar cheese pairings
Canadian cheddar cheese is known for its smooth, creamy texture and perfect balance of flavour and sharpness. It is produced almost entirely by a number of large companies in Ontario, with limited artisanal producers. The most prize-winning cheddar maker in Canada is the Balderson Cheese Company. The cheese is aged for a minimum of three months and a maximum of six years for optimal quality.
Canadian cheddar is available in a variety of flavours, including cranberry, dill, flax, garlic, jalapeno, olive and sun-dried tomato. Some common types of Canadian cheddars are Lancashire, Double Gloucester, Wensleydale, Leicester, Derby, Cheshire, Cantal, Caerphilly and Colby.
When it comes to pairing Canadian cheddar cheese, there are several options to consider, including:
- Wines: Cheddar pairs well with both red and white wines. For red wines, a medium-bodied option like Le Petit Caboche Vin de Pays de Vaucluse or a classic Merlot is a good choice. Cabernet Sauvignon, with its savory and fruity notes, is also a great pairing. As for white wines, a crisp and light-bodied Sauvignon Blanc or a Chardonnay can enhance the flavour of the cheddar. Sweet and dry rosés can also complement the flavour of mild cheddar.
- Beers: Canadian cheddar pairs well with a variety of beers, such as lagers, pale ales, IPAs, and amber ales. A malt-forward, easy-drinking lager or a pilsner can be a good choice for a refreshing combination.
- Meats and Charcuterie: Cheddar goes well with a variety of meats, especially on a charcuterie board. Some good pairings include chorizo, ham, salami, prosciutto, and capicola. The sharpness of the cheddar can cut through the salty sweetness of the meats.
- Fruits: The sharpness of cheddar also pairs well with sweet, tart, and juicy fruits. Some options include blackberries, plums, figs, crisp apples, and pineapples.
- Condiments: Chutneys, such as beetroot and apple, can be a great pairing with Canadian cheddar, as they offer a balance of sweetness, acidity, and fruitiness. However, overly sweet condiments like jams can overpower the cheese's flavour.
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Frequently asked questions
Canadian cheddar cheese can be purchased online from retailers such as Cheesyplace.com, Hummers Meats, and Shisler's Cheese House.
The physical location of Shisler's Cheese House is in Ohio.
Canadian cheddar cheese is typically aged for a minimum of three months, but this can vary depending on the desired sharpness and quality, with some being aged for up to four, six, or even ten years.
The flavour of Canadian cheddar cheese varies depending on its age, but it typically has a smooth, creamy texture and a balance of flavour and sharpness.
