List of Irish cheeses facts for kids
This article is all about the amazing world of cheese from Ireland! Ireland is famous for its green fields and happy cows, which helps make some really special cheeses. You'll learn about different kinds of Irish cheeses and the people who make them.
Contents
What is Cheese?
Cheese is a tasty food made from milk. It can be made from the milk of cows, goats, or sheep. People have been making cheese for thousands of years! It's a great way to store milk for a long time. There are so many different types of cheese, from soft and creamy to hard and crumbly.
How is Cheese Made?
Making cheese is a bit like magic, but it's actually a careful process. First, milk is collected, usually from cows, goats, or sheep. Then, a few important steps happen to turn that milk into cheese.
Milk and Rennet
The first step is to add something called a 'starter culture' to the milk. These are good bacteria that help the milk get a little bit sour. Next, a special ingredient called rennet is added. Rennet helps the milk separate into two parts: solid curds and liquid whey. Some rennet comes from animals, but many Irish cheeses use 'vegetarian rennet' which comes from plants or microbes.
Aging and Flavor
Once the curds form, they are cut, stirred, and often pressed to remove more whey. The curds are then shaped into wheels or blocks. This is where the cheese starts to look like what you see in the shops! Finally, the cheese is left to age. This means it sits in a cool place for weeks, months, or even years. During this time, the cheese develops its unique flavor, smell, and texture. Some cheeses are smoked or have herbs added for extra taste.
Discovering Irish Cheeses
Ireland has a long history of making cheese, especially farmhouse cheeses. These are often made by small, family-run businesses on farms. They use milk from their own animals, which gives each cheese a special local taste.
Popular Irish Cheese Types
Irish cheeses come in many shapes and sizes. Here are a few famous ones you might hear about:
- Cashel Blue: This is a creamy, blue-veined cheese made from cow's milk in County Tipperary. It's one of Ireland's most famous cheeses.
- Dubliner Cheese: A popular hard cheese that tastes a bit like a mix of cheddar and Parmesan. It's great for snacking or cooking.
- Gubbeen Farmhouse Cheese: Made in County Cork, this is a semi-soft cheese with a lovely buttery flavor. They also make a smoked version!
- Coolea Cheese: This cheese from County Cork is similar to a Dutch Gouda. It's sweet and nutty, and gets stronger as it ages.
- St Tola: A delicious goat's cheese from County Clare. It can be soft and fresh or harder and aged, depending on the type.
Where Do Irish Cheeses Come From?
Irish cheese makers are found all over the country. Many are in County Cork, which is a big area for farming. Other counties like Tipperary, Clare, and Kerry also have many fantastic cheese producers. Each area's climate and grass can even affect the taste of the milk, making each cheese truly unique!
Famous Irish Cheese Makers
Many dedicated people make Irish cheese. Here are just a few examples of the many talented producers:
- Ardrahan Cheese: Located in County Cork, they make a famous semi-soft cheese.
- Fivemiletown Creamery: From County Tyrone, they produce a range of cow and goat cheeses, including popular Bries.
- Glebe Brethan: Found in County Louth, they make a hard cheese similar to the French Comté.
- J&L Grubb: The makers of Cashel Blue in County Tipperary.
- Killeen Farmhouse Cheese: From County Galway, known for their Gouda-style cow's and goat's cheeses.
Images for kids
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Cashel Blue Farmhouse Cheese
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Glebe Brethan
See also
