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Cheddar cheese is popular because it appeals to Western palates. Like many foods, cheddar ranges from awful to fabulous depending on two factors. One is how the cheese is made. Cheddar can be produced industrially and taste bland. The cheese tastes better when aged but even then there's a limit. A long time ago I bought cheddar from a specialized cheese-maker in the Midwest that had been aged 20 years. Twenty! I assumed it'd be the pinnacle of food but was disappointed: it was simply ordinary. If you take normal cheese and let it sit, you'll get something better than what you started with but not necessarily terrific.
The second factor, of critical importance, is the quality of cheddar's prime ingredient, milk. The taste and quality of milk varies depending a host of influences. Until recently I've been buying Cabot cheddar cheese because its milk, produced in upstate New York, is very good, much better than competitors in the supermarket. But Cabot isn't the best cheddar in the world. I recently discovered what is the best and that brand now resides in my frig on a regular basis.
The special cheese is made by Snowdonia Cheese Company and is called "Rock Star." You can buy it locally at Sayville Cheese, a delightful little shoppe that rotates its wares. Rock Star isn't expensive (a 5 oz. package costs only $12). If you want to try before buying they will offer you a taste -- or you can ask me and I'll give you some.
Rock Star cheddar is made in Wales; Snowdonia is a region in the northern part of that country. Wales is an agricultural nation with long history of dairy production. Milk used in the cheddar reflects the country's cows, soil, air and overall environment. There are fancy words for this (e.g., terroir) but all you need know is it's very good.
Rock Star has a stronger, sharper taste than most cheddars but I find it delicious. Flavor explodes in your mouth. If you want to dilute it simply use the cheese in cooking. It's great mixed with cooked veggies like spinach or corn.
Ask me and I'll give you some.
This is a superb cheddar from a great company, one of my favourites. You should try their Black Bomber next. And if you like a sharp cheese, try and get hold of some Lincolnshire Poacher some time :)
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas! I saw BB on the website and will look for it. Thanks.
DeleteI love a good strong cheddar, so will definitely check this one out, Ally! xxx
ReplyDeleteI hope you do!
DeleteThere are some really fine cheddars made within 50 miles of our house, so mostly I get them, but this one, available at Costco here is, quite simply, amazing cheddar (also from Wales). It is Collier's Welsh cheddar. http://www.collierscheese.com/ Lovely with a pickle onion. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI'll check it out. Thanks!
DeleteI didn't know you could get ages cheddar! it's a shame it was a let down for you but glad you found the Welsh one you loved :)
ReplyDeleteThat sounds crazy good! I'm finally starting to add cheese back into my diet after gallbladder removal and I'm super thrilled because cheese is really the best.
ReplyDeleteI usually like to browse Aldi's unique finds for interesting cheeses. They usually have a big variety!
Oooh, hello Welsh cheese! Yes, we like the Snowdonia company too and mum bought us the very same cheese in our Christmas presents this year! I barely got a look in- CBC is a complete cheese hog and eats it really quickly!
ReplyDeleteInteresting!
DeleteHere in the UK we are slowly rediscovering the glories of our artisan cheese makers, the wonderful variety of local cheeses, and the simple concept that our cheeses are as good as anything anywhere else in Europe. I'm sure Rock Star is a very good cheese, but is it really a cheddar? A good cheddar is made in a large "wheel", has a crumply texture, with a slightly sharp taste and occasional "cheese crystals". During the last war much effort was put into simply producing a quantity of available protein, and much of our cheese production became industrialised with the result that most of teh cheese that was sold as cheddar was simply a hard slightly yellow slab cheese, with no connection to Somerset or the traditional Cheddar production technique.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. I believe this is a cheddar because it's sold as such. Check out their website to decide for yourself -- https://www.snowdoniacheese.co.uk/product/rock-star/
DeleteI LOVE cheddar cheese and the really strong cheddar so I'll look for this one.
ReplyDeleteWe're blessed to have an amazing variety of cheeses (& cheese makers) out here in the PNW. I have a bit of an addiction and have to try to eat all that I buy before they expire lol
Karen @For What It's Worth
I'm also addicted to cheese. :)
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