Bushra Griffith
Cheddar cheese is a cow's milk cheese that originated from the village of Cheddar in Somerset, England. The cheese gets its name from the village, which is located in southwest England. The caves in Cheddar Gorge, on the edge of the village, provided the ideal humidity and steady temperature for maturing the cheese. The 19th-century Somerset dairyman Joseph Harding is known as the father of cheddar for his role in modernising and standardising the cheese-making process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Place | Cheddar, Somerset, southwest England |
| Date | 12th century |
| Origin story | A milkmaid forgot about a pail of milk and returned to find a pail of cheddar |
| Modernisation and standardisation | Joseph Harding |
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What You'll Learn
- Cheddar cheese originates from the village of Cheddar in Somerset, southwest England
- The caves in Cheddar Gorge provided the ideal humidity and temperature for maturing the cheese
- Cheddar traditionally had to be made within 30 miles of Wells Cathedral
- Joseph Harding was central to the modernisation and standardisation of cheddar
- Harding introduced new equipment to the process of cheese-making, including his revolving breaker for curd cutting
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". Harding introduced new equipment to the process of cheese-making, including his "revolving breaker" for curd cutting; the revolving breaker saved much manual effort in the cheese-making process. Harding also introduced cheddar to Scotland and North America, while his sons Henry and William Harding were responsible for introducing cheddar cheese production to Australia and facilitating the establishment of the cheese industry in New Zealand, respectively.
Cheddar cheese is made with the same ingredients as other cheeses, but what sets it apart is its curing process, called cheddaring. After the liquid is strained from the curds, cheesemakers cut the curd into large slabs, stack the slabs up and flip them regularly to release even more liquid.
Historians believe that cheddar cheese was first created in the 12th century. One origin story, which is not confirmed, is that a milkmaid forgot about a pail of milk and returned to find a pail of cheddar.
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The caves in Cheddar Gorge provided the ideal humidity and temperature for maturing the cheese
Cheddar cheese was first made in the village of Cheddar in Somerset, southwest England. The caves in Cheddar Gorge, on the edge of the village, provided the ideal humidity and temperature for maturing the cheese. Indeed, the 19th-century Somerset dairyman Joseph Harding is known as the 'father of cheddar' for his modernisation and standardisation of the cheese-making process. Harding introduced new equipment to the process, including his 'revolving breaker' for curd cutting, which saved a lot of manual effort.
The cheese gets its name from the village, and it is made from cow's milk. It has a nutty flavour and a firm texture. Cheddar cheese is made with the same ingredients as other cheeses, but what sets it apart is its curing process, called cheddaring. After the liquid is strained from the curds, cheesemakers cut the curd into large slabs, stack them, and flip them regularly to release more liquid.
Cheddar cheese 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, 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.
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Cheddar traditionally had to be made within 30 miles of Wells Cathedral
Cheddar cheese originates from the village of Cheddar in Somerset, southwest England. Cheddar Gorge, on the edge of the village, contains a number of caves that provided 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 is known as the "father of cheddar" due to his technical innovations, promotion of dairy hygiene, and dissemination of modern cheese-making techniques. Harding introduced new equipment to the process of cheese-making, including his "revolving breaker" for curd cutting, which saved a lot of manual effort.
Harding stated that cheddar cheese is "not made in the field, nor in the byre, nor even in the cow, it is made in the dairy". Together with his wife, he introduced cheddar in Scotland and North America, while his sons Henry and William Harding were responsible for introducing cheddar cheese production to Australia and facilitating the establishment of the cheese industry in New Zealand, respectively.
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Joseph Harding was central to the modernisation and standardisation of cheddar
Cheddar cheese originates from the village of Cheddar in Somerset, southwest England. Cheddar Gorge, on the edge of the village, contains a number of caves that provided the ideal humidity and steady temperature for maturing the cheese. Cheddar traditionally had to be made within 30 miles of Wells Cathedral.
In the 19th century, Somerset dairyman Joseph Harding was central to the modernisation and standardisation of cheddar. Harding has been dubbed "the father of cheddar" for his technical innovations, promotion of dairy hygiene, and volunteer dissemination of modern cheese-making techniques. Harding introduced new equipment to the process of cheese-making, including his "revolving breaker" for curd cutting, which saved much manual effort in the cheese-making process. This new equipment formed the basis of the "Joseph Harding method", the first modern system of cheddar production based upon scientific principles. Harding also introduced cheddar to Scotland and North America, while his sons Henry and William Harding were responsible for introducing cheddar cheese production to Australia and facilitating the establishment of the cheese industry in New Zealand, respectively.
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Harding introduced new equipment to the process of cheese-making, including his revolving breaker for curd cutting
Cheddar cheese originates from the village of Cheddar in Somerset, southwest England. Cheddar Gorge, on the edge of the village, contains a number of caves, which provided the ideal humidity and steady temperature for maturing the cheese.
In the 19th century, Somerset dairyman Joseph Harding was central to the modernisation and standardisation of cheddar. Harding has been dubbed "the father of cheddar" for his technical innovations, promotion of dairy hygiene, and volunteer dissemination of modern cheese-making techniques. One of Harding's most important contributions was his invention of the "revolving breaker", a piece of equipment used for curd cutting. The revolving breaker saved a significant amount of manual effort in the cheese-making process.
Harding's revolving breaker was a significant innovation in the cheese-making process. Before the invention of this equipment, curd cutting was a labour-intensive and time-consuming task. The revolving breaker mechanised the curd cutting process, making it more efficient and less physically demanding for cheese makers. This innovation not only improved the speed and efficiency of cheese production but also helped to standardise the process, ensuring a more consistent product.
The revolving breaker worked by automatically cutting and breaking up the curds into smaller pieces. This step is crucial in the cheese-making process as it helps to release moisture and develop the desired texture and flavour of the cheese. By mechanising this step, Harding's invention improved the consistency and quality of cheddar cheese.
In addition to his contributions to cheese-making equipment, Harding also played a crucial role in promoting dairy hygiene and modern cheese-making techniques. He recognised the importance of cleanliness and sanitation in cheese production and advocated for the adoption of hygienic practices in dairies. Harding's efforts in this area helped to improve the safety and quality of cheddar cheese, further solidifying his reputation as a pioneer in the industry.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheddar cheese was first made in the village of Cheddar in Somerset, southwest England.
Joseph Harding and his wife introduced cheddar in Scotland and North America. Their sons, Henry and William Harding, were responsible for introducing cheddar cheese production to Australia and New Zealand, respectively.
The curing process for cheddar cheese is called cheddaring.
