Cheese Pairings

Cheddar

Cheddar cheese is the most purchased and consumed type of cheese around the world. It was named after the village of Cheddar in Somerset, England, where it is originally sourced. Cheddar is always produced from pasteurised cows’ milk, with a hard, slightly crumbly texture. The more it matures, the firmer its texture and the sharper its taste. Its colour generally ranges from white to pale yellow. Since neither the Cheddar name nor production process are protected, it can be produced anywhere. However, authentic cheddar is distinguished by undergoing the cheddaring process whereby the curds are cut, stacked, and turned by hand as they are drained and firmed under their own weight. There is also the unique flavour of milk produced by cows which are fed grass from the Cheddar Gorge.

Pairing

Cheddar cheese makes a great snack on its own or in a sandwich and it pairs well with practically any savoury ingredient. Otherwise, if you are looking for a sweet contrast, you can also pair it with fresh fruit such as apples and pears, or in the form of jam spread on a cracker. When snacking on uncooked cheddar, you may opt for mild cheddar.

On a charcuterie board, cheddar may accompany meats like salami and prosciutto. It can also be added to mini hamburgers. Other board pairings may include dates, nuts, pecans and walnuts.

When cooking, cheddar may be found in a variety of dishes. One the most famous recipes featuring cheddar is macaroni and cheese. Alternatively, it can be chopped up and added to a simple salad, grated over baked potatoes or incorporated into soups or savoury pastry. In these cases, do not opt for mild cheddar as it may lose all its flavour in the cooking process. Try choosing more flavourful variations of cheddar.

Cheddar cheese may be downed with either beer, wine or whiskey but the choice depends on the age of the cheese. The two flavours should balance out, not overpower, each other.

A wide variety of quality ingredients are available from Arkadia supermarkets in Malta and Gozo, including Arkadia FoodExpress Swatar and Arkadia Food Market Valletta.

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