- Cheddar is a species of cheese that originated in England. It uses the cheddar process in its production.
- The mature cheese is characterised by its white or yellow-orange colour and distinctive sharp flavour.
- It is often used for sandwiches, cheesburgers, pizzas or sauces.
- Cheddar is one of the most popular cheeses in the world.
Cheddar cheese is a product with a rich history and a rich taste. It is enjoyed both in households and in restaurant kitchens. What are the characteristics, properties and uses of this cheese? What is the situation of cheddar cheese on the market? Let us find out!
Where does cheddar cheese come from?
Cheddar cheese originated in England. Although it is now also produced in other countries, it is king in the UK market – about half of the cheese sold in the UK is cheddar. Its name comes from the village where its production began as early as the 12th century – Cheddar, in the county of Somerset. It was mainly destined for the royal court, but over time the recipe moved beyond that county, popularising it across the country and among the lower zones.
By the 19th century, cheddar production was already taking place in other countries: USA, Australia and New Zealand. Today, it is also produced in countries in Europe (Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden or Ireland) and South Africa, among others.
Production of cheddar cheese
Cheddar cheese is produced from cow’s milk. It is a renneted, hard, maturing cheese, formed into cylindrical shapes. How exactly is cheddar cheese made? The milk is heated and acidified with the appropriate cultures of bacteria. Rennet is then added to coagulate it. The resulting curds are cut into small pieces, which are then heated and stirred to release the whey.
The next part of the process is called cheddarisation and distinguishes the making of cheddar from that of other cheeses. The curds are kneaded with salt, moulded and stacked, which are regularly turned over and pressed to create a uniform cheese texture. The cheese can mature from a few weeks to up to two years, and the longer it matures, the more intense the flavour it acquires.
Traditional production methods are still used today by producers around the world and in Poland, in particular Britain’s Cathedral City and Ireland’s Kerrygold. Well-known producers in the USA are Tillamook and Cabot Creamery. Cheddar is also produced by well-known Polish dairies – Mlekovita or Mlekpol. Among Polish cheddar distributors, Foodcom S.A. stands out as one of the leaders in the trade of dairy products, including cheese, in Poland.
Currently, there is a rising cost of cheddar production with a simultaneous increased demand for this cheese and other premium cheeses. The price for cheddar fell at the beginning of 2023, only to climb again today.
Properties of cheddar cheese
Cheddar cheese is quite hard and has a distinctive white or yellow-orange colour and an intense, sharp flavour. It has notes of acidity, a nutty aftertaste, earthiness and an intense aroma. Short-matured cheddar is softer and has a milder flavour. Long-matured cheddar is intense in flavour and aroma, crumbly and often contains large calcium lactate crystals precipitated during the process.
Cheddar is rich in nutrients. It contains about 25% fat, as well as plenty of protein, amino acids, calcium, iodine, vitamin B12, vitamin A, retinol and beta-carotene. The intense colour of cheddar is usually due to the addition of annatto colouring derived from the seeds of the arnota tree, beetroot juice or paprika extract. Cheese without colouring has a colour similar to ivory.
Cheddar and its types versus other cheeses
The cheese market in 2024 is enjoying a high level of popularity, driven by the demand for dairy products in developing countries. The rise in popularity of protein-rich diets and increased interest in healthy foods are contributing to the growing demand for premium natural and wholesome products such as cheddar cheese.
Cheddar is a very popular cheese in the UK and the US. In the US, it is in second place for the amount of cheese consumed. In first place is mozzarella. Block mozzarella and cheddar are popular types of cheese used for baking, such as on pizza or toast. How do they differ? Cheddar is made from cow’s milk and is a ripened cheese. What milk is mozzarella made from? It is traditionally made from buffalo milk, but the most readily available mozzarella comes from cow’s milk. It is an unripened cheese with a milder flavour.
Among cheddars, we distinguish between different types of cheese. First of all, there is white cheddar and yellow or red cheddar, which differ in the fact that colour has been added – or not. In addition, cheddar can be enriched with herbs, pepper or garlic. There is also a distinction between short-ripened cheddar, which is milder in flavour and has a smoother texture that is ideal for melting. Some cheddars are subjected to smoking. Different types of cheddar are found in the USA: mild, medium, sharp, extra sharp, New York style, Vermont style and others.
Uses for cheddar cheese
What can cheddar cheese be used for? Like other cheeses and cheese-like products, it can be eaten directly. Due to its creamy texture and distinctive flavour, it is also a common addition to toast, cheeseburgers or tortillas. It melts quickly and evenly, which is why it is often baked, for example on pizza or with pasta as the famous mac and cheese. It is also sometimes used to make sauces, dips, soup premixes and flavourful toppings for crackers or Chips.
Cheddar cheese, which is one of the oldest and most prized cheeses in the world, has a rich history and a wide range of uses in the kitchen. Its characteristic taste and high nutritional value make it popular all over the world, also in Poland. The future of cheddar cheese on the market seems promising especially now with the growing demand for high quality dairy products, including premium cheeses.
