What does it mean if Cheddar is Sharp?

Cheddar is an orange-red or hard pale yellow cheese that usually has a flavor. The flavor can be mild or sharp depending on its maturity. Cheddar can be sharp-tasting as well. It’s usually produced in various countries of the world but it actually originated from an English village in Somerset known as Cheddar from where its name was coined.
In the UK, Cheddar is seen as a popular cheese. It accounts for billions of annual cheese sold in the UK market. In the US also, Cheddar is seen as the second most popular cheese sold. The consumption is highly rated in various states in American. The production is also on the increase.

Oftentimes, Cheddar is said to be “sharp”. You may be wondering the meaning of this! Well, the sharpness of Cheddar is hinged on the way it’s manufactured in several places. Basically, Cheddar undergoes some processes. When the curd is mixed with salt, it’s cut into smaller cubes. This drains the whey. It will then be pressed into a cheddar block. To make the Cheddar stronger or harder, it has to be left to mature for about 15 months. It’s kept under a steady temperature with lots of special facilities. The longer the cheese ages, the stronger and sharper the flavor is. The texture of the Cheddar is also firm. When it comes to texture, Cheddar is never soapy. It’s rather more brittle than many other cheese types.

Thus the sharpness of Cheddar refers to the kind of flavor it has. Basically, Cheddar can be mild or sharp. When it’s sharper, its taste tends to be more complex and tangy.

Again, Cheddar is said to be sharp when it has stayed for up to 9 months. It can as well be extra-sharp if it stays up to 2 years. Hence, the older the Cheddar gets, the sharper it tends to become. In most cases, when Cheddar gets older, the bacteria inside it will begin to product more enzymes. This will further break down its proteins and fats. This process will then produce several compounds that give the cheddar its distinctive sharp flavor.

Moreover, when Cheddar cheese is made, it may be allowed to sit and mold for a long time. It will then form what is known as brine which is acidic in nature. This makes the Cheddar to be sharper. Thus, the longer the Cheddar stays the more sharper it becomes.