Many people around the world eat Cheddar cheese on a daily basis and yet, have no idea where it comes from. Part of its popularity comes from the taste, which can range from mild in younger cheeses, to sharp and full-bodied Cheddars which have been aged for a longer period of time. The story of one of the world’s most famous cheeses is an interesting one and there is a lot of history and innovation that goes into crafting each round.
Although Cheddar is now being made in many countries around the world, its origins lie in Somerset, England. Many people believe that it was the village of Cheddar and the caves around this village that gave the cheese its name. Early records show that the British Royal Family was ordering cheese from this area as early as 1170.
There were a number of reasons why this area was such a natural birthplace for Cheddar. The first is that the area was famous for its rich pastures and the high quality of the milk that was produced there. The second is that the area also boasted the Cheddar caves which had an air temperature that kept milk at the perfect temperature to change it into cheese.
Legend has it that the discovery of Cheddar cheese was accidental. A dairy girl decided to keep a bucket of milk in the caves but did not collect it immediately. By the time she had remembered that it was there and had returned to pick it up the natural bacteria had turned the milk into something new and delicious. Whatever the origin, it is known that King Henry II purchased 10,000 pounds of the cheese.
It is no wonder that Cheddar would have been born in this area. The village of Cheddar is located in the Somerset region of England. It has been inhabited ever since the Roman and Saxon times and was recognized as an important part of commerce in these cultures. The temperate climate has created very rich pastures for sheep to graze on and the milk that is produced is very rich in high in quality. It is not a surprise that this area has been known for both farming and cheese production throughout history.
The caves that were part of the Cheddar origin are located in a gorge which is located near the village. That gorge is the largest in England. The temperature in the caves is approximately seven degrees which was cool enough to allow the cheese to form without spoiling. The caves are still used by some traditionalists to store the curd blocks but this is much rarer than it used to be now that there are modern ways of controlling temperature and humidity. The area is also home to the Cheddar Yeo, Britain’s largest underground river. When visiting the village it is also possible to see high limestone cliffs that are the highest inland cliffs in Britain.
The area is still a popular tourist attraction and it does not all have to do with cheese production. The area is an important ecological and historical attraction. The discovery of Cheddar Man, a 9,000 year old skeleton has made the area an important archaeological attraction as well. The skeleton is the oldest complete skeleton that has been unearthed in Britain to date. Both the village and the Cheddar caves are frequented by many visitors throughout the year.
The production of Cheddar is a lengthy one that involves more effort on the part of the cheese makers than other cheeses do. The process of cheddaring, an essential part of creating Cheddar cheese, involves kneading the curds with salt, creating a slab of the curds by pressing them, and then stacking them. After the stack was pressed to remove the whey (the watery part that remains after the milk has turned into curds), it had to be turned repeatedly for it to age properly.
As it ages, it becomes sharper and more flavorful. The color is naturally a creamy yellowish-white but it is often tinted with coloring agents. These can include carrot juice or Annatto, a natural substance extracted from certain trees. Young cheddar may only age 3-6 months, while older Cheddars may age for several years. Cheddars are wrapped in cloth and may be flavored with certain ingredients in order to give the cheese a unique taste and color. Another traditional covering for the curd slabs was black wax.
Whether you prefer milder Cheddar or something with a little more bite to it, Golden Age Cheese can supply you with cheese that has the right balance of taste and texture.
-Written by Lisa Longworth
That's very interesting! Thank you!
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