Gubbeen Farmhouse Cheese facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gubbeen |
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| Country of origin | Ireland |
| Region | County Cork |
| Town | Schull |
| Source of milk | Cows |
| Pasteurised | Yes |
| Texture | Semi-soft |
| Fat content | 48% |
| Weight | 500–1,200 g (18–42 oz) |
Gubbeen Cheese is a special kind of cheese from Ireland. It's a semi-soft cheese made from cow's milk, and it has a unique pink and white rind. When you taste it, you'll notice creamy flavors, sometimes with hints of mushroom or nuts. The exact taste can change depending on how old the cheese is. Gubbeen Farm also makes a delicious smoked version of this cheese.
What is Gubbeen Cheese?
Gubbeen Cheese has been made since 1979 by Tom and Giana Ferguson. They produce it on their farm, Gubbeen Farm, which is about 100 hectares (250 acres) big. The farm is located in Schull, in County Cork, Ireland. The name "Gubbeen" comes from an old Irish word, "Gobín," which means "a small mouthful." There's even a bay nearby with the same name!
How Gubbeen Cheese is Made
All the milk used to make Gubbeen cheese comes from the farm's own dairy cows. These cows are a mix of different breeds, including British Friesian, Simmenthal, Jersey, and Kerry.
The cheese-making process starts by putting the milk into large containers. Then, special ingredients called starter culture and rennet are added. These make the milk turn solid, forming what are called curds. The cheesemakers then cut and stir these curds until they are just right.
After that, the cheese is moved to special rooms where it gets its unique rind. The rind is washed every day. This daily washing is very important because it helps create the special surface of the cheese and develops its unique flavors. As the cheese gets older, its flavors become even stronger and deeper.
In 2001, scientists even named a new type of bacteria after Gubbeen cheese! This bacteria, called Microbacterium gubbeenense, was found when they studied how the cheese's rind ripens.
Each round of Gubbeen cheese is about 15 cm (5.9 in) across and 5 cm (2.0 in) tall. It weighs about 1,200 g (42 oz) and has a fat content of 48%. You can also find smaller versions of the cheese, called mini-truckles, which weigh about 400 g.
Awards and Recognition
Gubbeen cheese has won many awards both in Ireland and around the world. Here are some of its recent achievements:
- In 2011, it won a Silver Medal at the Irish Cheese Awards for semi-soft cheese.
- In 2010, it earned a Gold Medal at the British Cheese Awards for semi-soft cheese.
- In 2016, it won another Gold Medal at the British Cheese Awards for rind-washed cheese.
- Also in 2016, the Mature Smoked Gubbeen won a Gold Medal at the British Cheese Awards.
See also
In Spanish: Gubbeen para niños
