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A Better Cheddar?

About 15 years or so ago when I first started to really explore foods, one of the first things I explored was different cheeses. I was raised eating cheddar or American, and that was about it—except for when my parents were feeling really adventurous and got Colby Jack.

Of course, there are so many wonderful cheeses out there, that I had no use for cheddar, and saw it as an inferior cheese. In many ways, what passes for day-to-day cheddar in America is pretty inferior.

However, over the years I have found that there really are some wonderful cheddars available. Recently, I started eating Kerrygold Cheddars from Ireland. They are somewhat tangy, and have a mild pungency that I associate with blue cheeses -- though I cannot say they taste like blue cheeses. I’ve had their Blarney Castle, Mature Cheddar, and the Dubliner versions. They are not too expensive, either.

Perhaps one of the best cheddars is Black Diamond Canadian White Cheddar, but it is pretty expensive, and I haven’t had it in years. It is a very sharp cheese.

Interestingly, there are also some goat-milk cheddars available, too. They are extremely tangy though, so you won’t like them if you don’t like goat cheese.

Does anyone have any other cheddar recommendations?

Tags: Canada, Ireland, cheddar, cheese, dairy, eating, food, ingredients, products

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Dallas (on hiatus) on November 21, 2009 at 1:03pm

Mmm, sounds delicious. I can't eat wheat any longer, and I sure do miss things like grilled cheese sandwhiches (and pizza, and donuts, and burgers).

Permalink Reply by Dallas (on hiatus) on November 29, 2009 at 6:14pm

Okay, I bought some Grafton Village 2 y.o. cheddar, but I did not like it. There was a very bitter aftertaste, reminiscent of what you can experience with some stouts and ales, and I just didn't care for it. I'm not saying it was a bad cheese, as it is clearly quality cheese, but it did not appeal to my taste buds. I liked the Cabot Creamery better.

Permalink Reply by Dallas (on hiatus) on November 29, 2009 at 7:17pm

Most of the Holsteins I see each day send a portion of their milk to Cabot.

That's neat. It's almost like being connected to your food source. At least much more than most of us experience.

Shelburne Farms cheddar

Alright, I'll add it to my list. :)

Permalink Reply by Dallas (on hiatus) on November 29, 2009 at 7:27pm

I just had some grass-fed beef for the first time last week. It was not bad, but I can't say that I noticed much of a difference. It was just a sirloin, and those aren't usually very marbled anyhow.

But hey, DG, there is no "alright."

All right already! Get off my case. Just kidding! Just kidding! There is nothing to forgive. I love it when you correct my spelling and grammar. :)

Permalink Reply by Dallas (on hiatus) on November 29, 2009 at 7:44pm

Grass-fed, in my experience, isn't consistently tasty or pleasant in texture. Other things factor in, I guess.

I watched a documentary (though the name escapes me) that said that the corn-rich diet that they feed cattle prior to slaughter is actually quite unhealthy for them, and if they continued doing it that the cattle would die from disease in a relatively short period of time. It is an unnatural diet for them, but it adds the weight on and makes the meat fatty.

Permalink Reply by Dallas (on hiatus) on November 29, 2009 at 8:09pm

Have you read any Michael Pollan?

Not yet, but he has been on my list for some time. I've heard good things about him, and Sydni has posted some things on him.

Thanks for the DOC file. I'll read it just as soon as I can.

Permalink Reply by Dallas (on hiatus) on November 18, 2009 at 4:09pm

I looked for Cabot last night at a store, but they didn't have it. I'll keep trying though. I was broke so I bought Kraft cheddar. Pray for me.

Permalink Reply by Dallas (on hiatus) on November 18, 2009 at 4:57pm

Me in Kraft Hell:

Permalink Reply by Dallas (on hiatus) on January 3, 2011 at 3:02pm

I just tried some Barber's 1833 English Vintage Cheddar. Meh! Not my favorite. Judging from its crumbly-ness, I'm going to guess it is a little leaner than some other cheddars. Not terrible, but not spectacular. Kind of has a mild, astringent quality to it.

Permalink Reply by Sandi on January 5, 2012 at 9:33am

The Black Diamond is indeed my favorite, but as you said expensive and hard to find. Sam's Club sells huge block for around $10 - 12, but in a pinch I always get Cabot Extra Sharp.

I cannot buy a yellow cheese, having been raised in Australia, we were always taught that the whiter the cheese, the less fat content and although I know now that this is a coloring put in the cheese, I cannot stand to eat it plus it doesn't have much flavor and Aussie cheeses are usually all good. The Kerrygold brand is good and they also have a good butter, which is also the second dairy product that there is a huge difference between countries (and the milk is different too).

My favorite cracker treat is rice crackers: the brand I have at the moment is Sesmark Savory Rice Thins, I add a slice of salami, a slice of cheese and then a slice of a bread and butter cucumber, love those items together.

I cannot live without cheese. This is a fact.