How To Find The Best Cheddar Cheese

As with every other food, the best cheddar cheese is entirely subjective to each individual taste. What is absolutely scrumptious to one person, may taste awful to another. So in order to find what you consider to be the best tasting cheddar, you are going to have to just do the taste test—over and over again—until you find one (or more) that suits your taste buds.

Cheddar By Definition And Its Varieties
By definition, Cheddar is a relatively hard, smooth textured cheese that originated in the village of Cheddar, Somerset, England. It is usually made from whole cows’ milk, varies in coloration from white to deep yellow or orange, and in flavor from mild to extra sharp.

There are a number of varieties of cheeses just within the cheddar designation. These include the traditional mild, medium, sharp, and extra sharp. But there are regional variations that add interest to the otherwise common cheese. Some of these that can be found on the Internet, or in your local grocery store, are: Vermont white, apple cinnamon cheddar, blueberry cobbler cheddar, English cheddar, chipotle cheddar, cranberry cheddar, smoked cheddar, garlic and dill cheddar, horseradish cheddar, golden applewood cheddar, mango fire cheddar, salsa fresca cheddar, and even goats’ milk cheddar.

Cheese Factories
If you are fortunate enough to live in an area that has a cheese factory, go there first to see what they have to offer. You may be able to taste samples of the variety of cheddars that particular factory offers. Cheese fresh at the factory is the cream of the crop, pun intended! Even though many cheeses are aged, there’s still nothing better than when you get it right at the source.

Delicatessens
Visiting your neighborhood deli may be the second best choice for choosing what you consider to be the best cheddar cheese. There you can buy a single slice of cheese to see if you like it or not, rather than a whole block. A deli will have several varieties for you to try.

The Internet
The web will surely have several varieties of cheddar cheese from which to choose. The only drawback will be in having to buy a whole block of cheese, rather than being able to sample just a bite or two. Most cheeses come in small blocks as well as large, so it shouldn’t be a problem. You’ll also have a larger selection at hand and will be able to shop from home.