Andy Montoya
Cheddar cheese, named after the village of Cheddar in Somerset, England, is a versatile cheese that comes in a variety of flavours and textures, from sweet to savoury and creamy to crumbly. It is the most popular cheese in the UK, accounting for 51% of the country's £1.9 billion annual cheese market. Cheddar cheese can be purchased from various retailers, such as Murray's Cheese and Tillamook Shop, which offer classic English Cheddar with a slight crunch and sweet and buttery notes. For those looking to buy in-person, the Cheddar Gorge Cheese Co, located in Cheddar, is a great option for authentic Cheddar cheese and locally made preserves.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | English Cheddar Cheese |
| Origin | Village of Cheddar in Somerset, South West England |
| Texture | Relatively hard |
| Colour | Off-white or orange if colourings such as annatto are added |
| Taste | Sweet, crumbly with a slight crunch, notes of sweet grass, toasted nuts, and caramel |
| Flavours | Savoury, mild, creamy, buttery, slightly grassy |
| Accompaniments | Shaved ham, pecans, figs, water crackers, stout, pinot noir |
| Retailers | Murray's Cheese, Cheddar Gorge Cheese Co, Tillamook Shop |
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What You'll Learn
Murray's Aged English Cheddar
This cheddar is a great option for those who enjoy sweeter, caramelly notes in their cheese. Unlike clothbound cheddars, which tend to have more earthy and horseradish flavours, Murray's English Cheddar stands out with its unique sweetness. The cheesemaking process, which includes cheddaring to drain the whey, results in its distinct texture and flavour profile.
You can purchase Murray's Aged English Cheddar from the Murray's Cheese website or from retailers such as Kroger and Blue Coast Market. When you receive your cheese, it is recommended to unpack and refrigerate it, using cheese paper to store and preserve its freshness. Enjoy this delicious cheddar on its own or pair it with complementary foods and beverages, such as a blonde ale or a glass of stout or pinot noir.
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Tillamook Farmers' Collection English-Style Sweet Cheddar
If you're looking for a delicious English cheddar cheese, then Tillamook Farmers' Collection English-Style Sweet Cheddar is a perfect choice. This award-winning cheese offers a unique taste experience, combining creamy smoothness with sweet, buttery notes and a slightly grassy finish. The rich, fresh-churned cheddar aroma and slight crumble will tantalise your taste buds and elevate any dish.
This cheese is crafted with high-quality milk from cows not treated with artificial growth hormones, ensuring a pure and natural taste. Tillamook's decades of cheese-making expertise shine through in this product, delivering a consistent and exceptional taste experience. The 7 oz block is the perfect size for sharing with friends and family or indulging in your own personal supply.
You can purchase the Tillamook Farmers' Collection English-Style Sweet Cheddar at Safeway, either in-store or online. The cheese is shipped via UPS on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, ensuring you receive it fresh and ready to enjoy. Whether you're a cheese connoisseur or simply looking for a tasty treat, this English-style cheddar is sure to satisfy your cravings and become a favourite in your household.
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West Country Farmhouse Cheddar
The name "West Country" refers to the South West region of England, specifically the counties of Somerset, Dorset, Devon, and Cornwall. The village of Cheddar in Somerset is where cheddar cheese first originated, taking its name from the town. Cheddar Gorge, on the edge of the village, contains caves that provide the ideal humidity and steady temperature for maturing the cheese.
Barber's Farmhouse Cheesemakers, makers of the Westminster brand of farmhouse cheddars, are the oldest traditional cheddar makers in England, with six generations of cheese-making experience dating back to 1833. Their farm is located just 15 miles from the village of Cheddar, with over 3,000 acres of land for their 2,000 Holstein-Friesian cows to roam freely. Barber's West Country Farmhouse Cheddar won the Gold Medal in the 2012 World Cheese Awards for Best Mature Cheddar.
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Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar
Orkney Cheddar is known for its unique taste and smooth, firm, and closed texture. The cheese has moderately intense acidic notes while remaining savoury and nutty, with a clean aroma typical of cheddar. The flavour of Orkney Cheddar changes depending on the maturation stage, ranging from slightly savoury for medium cheddar to sharp and savoury for mature cheddar, and finally, a brittle texture and sharp, savoury flavour with lactate crystals for extra mature cheddar.
The distinctive flavour of Orkney Cheddar is attributed to the local environment and farming practices. Orkney Cheddar is produced using fresh milk from cattle that graze on Orkney's low-undulating farmland, which has been sustained by fertile topsoil for over 5,000 years. The temperate climate, influenced by the Gulf Stream and long summer days, contributes to the lush pasture. The cattle feed on this fresh grass for six months and then shelter indoors for the remaining six months, consuming a variety of homegrown produce such as barley, turnips, and grains from local brewers. This diverse diet creates milk with an optimal balance of fat, protein, and lactose.
The Orkney Cheese Company employs a unique production method called the "dry-stir" or "dry-stir method." This technique involves constantly stirring the curd to prevent it from bonding, resulting in its distinct texture. The milk used in this process is always fresh and sourced locally, collected daily from the farms and transported a short distance to their creamery.
Orkney Cheddar can be purchased from various retailers, including Judith Glue, who offers a range of smoked and flavoured Orkney Cheddars, such as cracked pepper, red onion, sweet chilli, and garlic. The Orkney Cheese Company also sells their award-winning Orkney Cheddar, praised by chefs and cheese enthusiasts for its exceptional taste, which is influenced by the unique island climate and traditions.
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Cheddar Gorge Cheese Co
Cheddar cheese is a hard, off-white (or orange if colourings are added) natural cheese that sometimes has a sharp taste. It originates from the village of Cheddar in Somerset, southwest England. The Cheddar Gorge on the edge of the village contains a number of caves that provide the ideal humidity and temperature for maturing the cheese.
The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company, located in Cheddar, Somerset, is a small dairy that produces delicious Cheddar cheese. They have a passionate team that continues the tradition of hand-making unpasteurised cheddar cheese, which they long-mature in cloth, the traditional way. The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company is the only remaining cheese maker in the village of Cheddar.
The company has a Visitor Centre and a shop in the beautiful Cheddar Gorge itself. The Visitor Centre is open between 11.30 am and 3 pm every day, and you can watch the cheesemakers live for just £2.50 per adult (children go free and no booking is required). The shop is open every day from 10:30 am and offers a free cheese Taster Bar. Here, you can get your hands on their delicious Cheddar, as well as locally made preserves, accompaniments, and cheese-related gifts.
The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company is a great place to learn about the heritage of this world-famous cheese and, of course, taste it! You can also take a private day trip from Bath to Wells, Cheddar Cheese, and Cheddar Gorge, which includes a visit to the company.
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Frequently asked questions
You can buy English cheddar cheese from Murray's Cheese or Cheddar Gorge Cheese Co.
English cheddar cheese is named after its town of origin, Somerset, England. It is a versatile cheese that can be sweet, savory, creamy, or crumbly. It is relatively hard and off-white in colour.
Cheddar cheese is made through a process called "cheddaring", which involves cutting and stacking curd loaves to remove excess whey. This technique helps the cheese maintain its density and acidity.
English cheddar cheese can be served as part of a charcuterie board with shaved ham, pecans, figs, and water crackers. It can also be paired with a glass of stout or pinot noir.
