Cheddar cheese facts for kids
Cheddar is a popular type of hard cheese made from cow's milk. It first came from the small village of Cheddar in Somerset, England. Some people think the Romans might have brought the idea for this cheese to Britain from France. The first time Cheddar cheese was written about was in the 12th century. In 1170, King Henry II bought 10,240 lb (4,640 kg) of it! Later, King Charles I also enjoyed cheese from Somerset. Traditionally, real Cheddar cheese had to be made close to Wells Cathedral.
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How is Cheddar Cheese Made?
Making Cheddar cheese is a special process. After the curds (the solid parts of the milk) are heated, they are cut into blocks. These blocks are then stacked up and turned over many times. This unique step is called "cheddaring." It helps the cheese get its firm texture and unique flavor.
After cheddaring, the cheese is often aged. This means it is stored in cool, dark places, sometimes even in caves, for many months. Some strong Cheddar, called "vintage," can be aged for over a year! The caves at Wookey Hole and Cheddar Gorge are still used today for aging some Cheddar cheese. Sometimes, Cheddar cheese is also smoked to give it a different taste.
The Story of Cheddar Cheese
Cheddar cheese is super popular! In the United Kingdom, it's the most popular cheese, making up more than half of all cheese sales. In the United States, it's the second most popular, right after mozzarella. People in the U.S. eat about 10 lb (4.5 kg) of Cheddar per person each year!
During the Second World War, most milk in Britain was used to make just one kind of cheese, nicknamed "government Cheddar." This was part of the country's rationing efforts. Because of this, many other types of British cheeses almost disappeared. Before the First World War, there were over 3,500 cheese makers in Britain. After the Second World War, fewer than 100 were left.
Experts say that Cheddar cheese is the most popular type of cheese in the world. It's also the most studied cheese in science!
What Does Cheddar Cheese Look and Taste Like?
Good quality Cheddar cheese should feel firm but also melt in your mouth. It has a rich, full flavor that some describe as tasting a bit like a hazelnut. The older the Cheddar, the sharper and stronger its taste usually is. Sometimes, you might even see tiny cheese crystals in aged Cheddar. These are natural and show the cheese has matured well.
Cheddar cheese can be a pale yellow or even a deeper yellow-orange color. The yellow-orange color often comes from adding a natural plant extract called annatto. This extract comes from the seeds of the achiote tree. Annatto was first added to make the cheese look like it came from milk of cows that ate lots of fresh grass, like Jersey and Guernsey cows. It can also add a slightly sweet, nutty flavor.
Cheddar cheese used to be wrapped in special cloth or sometimes black wax. This helped it "breathe" while keeping it safe from dirt.
Images for kids
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An unusual Cheddar cheese which has been matured to produce veins of mould
See also
In Spanish: Queso cheddar para niños
