What’s the deal with cheddar? While you might think this category is relegated to your basic plastic-wrapped, grocery-store variety, the truth is the world of cheddar is a wide and incredibly varied one, with a whole spectrum of flavor profiles and textures. The word “sharp” is often used to describe this famous style of cheese, and while it’s not a technical term we use at Murray’s, you can bet that ones described as as such are those with higher acidity, ones that can be literally mouth-watering and sometimes prickly. We’re breaking down some of our most noteworthy cheddars by another standard: crumbly vs. creamy, and sweet vs. savory. Take a look at which of your favorites fall into each category:
Sweet Cheddar
When we talk about sweet cheddars, we generally mean those with notes of caramel, butterscotch, and bright tropical fruits, or a mild essence without a lot of bite. Examples: Milton Creamery Flory’s Truckle, Murray’s High Plains Cheddar
Savory Cheddar
Cheddars on the other end of the spectrum tend to lean towards flavors of pepper, grass, broth, or even roast beef, with a richer, mouthwatering essence and occasional prickly bite. Examples: Quicke’s Goat Cheddar, Neal’s Yard Dairy Montgomery Cheddar
Creamy Cheddar
Younger cheddars retain much more moisture than aged varieties, so these are usually the ones that have a supple, creamy consistency with more elasticity and less crumble. Examples: New York Yellow Cheddar, Murray’s Smoked Cheddar
Crumbly Cheddar
Because they lose moisture as they age, older cheddars have a firmer, crumbly and sometimes crunchy paste that’s usually bolder in flavor than some young varieties. Examples: Lincolnshire Poacher, 5 Spoke Creamery Tumbleweed
Want more cheddar? Check out our extensive collection right here.
