Comments and Questions about English Cheddar

16 years ago

I'm one of those people who has never met a cheese I didn't like. Recently I bought English Cheddar. How I have lived nearly 47 years without tasting English Cheddar is beyond me, but there you are.

IT IS WONDERFUL!

I know cheeses taste different depending on what they cows eat, etc but is there any other difference in the way English cheddar is made that differs from American cheddar? To me it is another cheese entirely - even the texture is different.

Anyway, if there are any of you who have never had it, please run out and get some. You will be very glad you did. And if you know anything about cheese-making, please explain to me what's so different.

Thanks! Kyle

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Comments (22)

lindac
16 years ago
Try some Irish cheddar!!
for one thing it's aged longer than a lot of American cheddar.
Canadian cheddar can be pretty wonderful too.
A great deal of what makes a cheese taste like it does, is the transformation of the fat in the cheese and the water content of the wheel when it is put to age.
There are some very good artisinal American Cheddars too.
Linda C
cookebook
Original Author
16 years ago
I knew you would know LindaC! I never thought of longer aging. And I will definitely take your advise and try the Irish next time - IF I can stop eating the English long enough lol
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Terri_PacNW
16 years ago
Oh if you want flavor..make sure it's raw milk cheddar too..

I love cheddars...the one that we use the most around here is a Chipotle Cheddar.. Raw Milk with veins of ground chipotle. It's the best with scrambled eggs. Not cheap cheese though.

I also think if someone wants to try a nice priced for the flavor cheese don't miss Tillamooks Special Reserve White Cheddar. It is a bit less "tangy" than the English.
centralcacyclist
16 years ago
Tillamook Special Reserve White Cheddar is a staple at our house at 10 dollars for a 2 pound block. I also buy an English aged white cheddar at Costco that we like. I also love 5 year aged Gouda. I buy Dubliner from Trader Joe's sometimes too. They have it in a reduced fat version which reduces my guilt a little but not much! It is surprising good.
User
16 years ago
Some of the best cheddars are made here in Canada especially in Quebec.

For one of the most wonderful bites of cheddar you'll ever have try a 7 year old Canadian raw milk cheddar from Quebec....oh my! Probably very hard to come by in the US.

When we were doing our Rte 66 trip I did find an excellent 5 year old Canadian Cheddar in one of the supermarkets. Can't recall which one, but it was a regular supermarket not a place like Whole Foods. Worth keeping an eye out for.
centralcacyclist
16 years ago
"For one of the most wonderful bites of cheddar you'll ever have try a 7 year old Canadian raw milk cheddar from Quebec....oh my! Probably very hard to come by in the US."

You tease!
Bumblebeez SC Zone 7
16 years ago
One of my favorites is Seaside Cheddar from Whole Foods.
lowspark
16 years ago
OK Kyle, I love cheddar so since we just happen to live in the same city, will ya tell me what exactly you bought and where? You make it sound heavenly!
cookebook
Original Author
16 years ago
Yes May. I meant to put this in the original post but forgot. The brand is "Coastal" from Ford Farms in England. The logo is blue and the block comes wrapped in a white almost wax paper-looking package. It also says "Rugged mature English Cheddar" on the package.

I found it at Central Market. Oddly, there was a display of it in the vegetables (near the potatoes) instead of it being in the cheese part of the store.
centralcacyclist
16 years ago
Coastal is the brand I get at Costco. It is good.
lowspark
16 years ago
Well, I'm about due for a trip to Central Market so I'm going to look for it. I love that store!
Terri_PacNW
16 years ago
Barnmom, do you buy the Gouda at Costco too?

I've never picked it up...but have seen the wedges there.

Another favorite cheese of mine, but not in the cheddar family, is a from a local farm..it's call Mutscheli..kinda like a baby swiss/gouda cross.
centralcacyclist
16 years ago
I haven't seen the 5 year aged Gouda at Costco. I go to a specialty grocery store for that.
Bumblebeez SC Zone 7
16 years ago
From what I understand, Seaside and Coastal are the same cheese.
cookebook
Original Author
16 years ago
May, I shop far too often at Central Market, but I sure have been eating well! You could walk there on your lunch hour, but I wouldn't recommend it in this 500% humidity lol
Terri_PacNW
16 years ago
Gotcha..I know they have a gouda..I just hadn't looked real close at it.
Islay_Corbel
16 years ago
Here's a nice article about cheddar made in....well,.....cheddar!
You must have loads of interesting cheeses in a country as big as yours!

Here is a link that might be useful: cheese
lowspark
16 years ago
No kidding Kyle!! It's true I could walk there if the weather permitted it. I have driven there and done shopping on my lunch hour several times. Or sometimes I just stop in after work. Problem is, I tend to linger and even though I don't buy that much it seems to take me forever!

Have you shopped at the nearby Buffalo Market? It's on Buffalo just south of 59. It's sort of a combination of a normal market and central market with all the "normal" grocery store items plus a lot of cool extras. Including free samples all the time. I love that place!
foodonastump
16 years ago
This thread sent me shopping yesterday. I ended up with "Ilchester English Cheddar." Quite different from what we get here. I gave my son a small taste and he lunged at me to grab the rest of the slice out of my hand. Seems he likes it as much as I do!

I also tried and liked an Irish cheddar, but it had a bit more of a "stinky cheese" taste that I'm not sure my wife would have liked.

There were several other cheddars there, both imported and domestic, but alas no 7 year old Canadian raw milk cheddar from Quebec. Nor any other raw milk cheddar for that matter.

So I'll enjoy my English. Thanks for posting; I'm glad I read.
lowspark
16 years ago
Ok, Kyle. Done deal. I went over to Central Market at lunch today and grabbed (among other things) a chunk o' cheese. I'll taste it tonight when I get home from work.

I also got suckered in to buy one of their buy-this-get-that-free deals. One pound of ground chuck at 4.49 gleaned me a jar of chipotle & onion burger seasoning, presumably worth 5.99. Not that I would normally buy a jar of this stuff but not a bad deal. Tomorrow night's dinner: Chipotle & onion flavored burgers with english cheddar cheese.

Thanks for the enabling Kyle!! LOL
cookebook
Original Author
16 years ago
So glad to be of assistance lol. I can't speak to the chipotle & onion seasoning but I guarantee you're going to LOVE that cheese!
User
16 years ago
Too funny about your son FOAS. Isn't it amazing what kids like vs what they don't? My DH is a cheese snob when it comes to cheddar and refused to make my daughter grilled cheese using slices, always had to be a good Canadian medium cheddar. To this day she can't abide cheese slices!

I'm pretty sure a 7 year old will be elusive but keep your eye open for a 5 year old Canadian. You won't be disappointed.

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