Coleraine Cheddar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cheddar |
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| Country of origin | Northern Ireland |
| Region, town | Coleraine, County Londonderry |
| Source of milk | Cows |
| Pasteurised | Yes |
| Texture | hard |
| Aging time | 3-4 months depending on variety |
| Certification | ? |
Coleraine Cheddar is a well-known brand of cheese that started in Northern Ireland. It's a type of Cheddar cheese, which is famous for its firm texture and often sharp taste. This cheese is made from cow's milk and is enjoyed by many people around the world.
Contents
The Story of Coleraine Cheddar
The journey of Coleraine Cheddar began in 1948. A factory was built in Coleraine, a town in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. At first, this factory made things like milk powders and butter.
How the Cheese Production Started
In 1951, the factory grew bigger. It started making about 5 tonnes (which is 5,000 kilograms!) of cheddar cheese every day. To make all that cheese, they used a huge amount of milk – about 13,000 gallons of full cream milk daily! This shows how much effort goes into making cheese.
Changes Over Time
By the early 1960s, a company called Fisons took over the factory. Later, the Coleraine Cheddar brand became part of the Kerry Group, a large food company. Even though the name "Coleraine" is still used, most of the actual Coleraine Cheddar cheese is now made in a different factory. This factory is located in Portadown, County Armagh, also in Northern Ireland.
What the Factories Make Today
The original factory in Coleraine now focuses on making processed cheese slices. These slices are often used in supermarkets and fast-food restaurants. The Portadown factory, however, is where all the different types of Coleraine Cheddar are produced.
Types of Coleraine Cheddar
The Portadown factory makes several kinds of Coleraine Cheddar, including:
- Coleraine Cheddar (the original)
- Coleraine Mature White Cheddar (aged for a stronger taste)
- Coleraine Medium Cheddar (a balanced flavor)
- Coleraine Mild White Cheddar (a softer taste)
- Royal Canadian Mature Cheddar (another aged variety)
