What Makes A Cheddar Cheese Gourmet?

Although experienced cheese connoisseur probably already know the answer, many people who are simply interested in learning more about cheese may wonder what makes a cheddar cheese gourmet. The term gourmet simply refers to the quality of the cheese in question. You can expect to pay more for a gourmet cheese (sometimes a lot more) but you will have quality to match your payment. Gourmet cheeses are generally made through a different, more traditional, process and may even contain slightly different ingredients. Here are the main differences between regular cheddar cheese and the gourmet version of it.

Handmade

Although not all gourmet cheddars are handcrafted, the vast majority of them are. This is part of the reason that they cost so much more: they involve a great deal of additional labor compared to their mass-produced counterparts. Although traditionally, cheeses were handcrafted, it would be impossible to meet the current demand for popular options such as cheddar around the world if they were still made this way. It is a fact of life that the cheddar you buy in your local grocery store will be mass-produced using machinery. When you pay a few extra dollars, however, you will get better quality that is handcrafted, generally including every stage of the process including preparation, cutting and packaging.

Traditional Methods

We already mentioned that gourmet cheddar cheese is made by hand using the traditional methods, but what exactly are these methods? In order to make cheddar, you must complete a process called cheddaring that involves pressing and shaping the cheese in a particular manner. 

While average cheddar cheeses (such as cheap supermarket ones) will use machines that regulate the entire process, gourmet manufacturers usually use the traditional methods. This involves pressing the liquid whey then wrapping it up in the correct shape. They will ensure that the cheddar has the right moisture level because they will press, stack and turn the cheese in the traditional manner that has been used since cheddar was first created during the 1100s.

Wrapping

One of the most crucial aspects of the cheddar-making process is wrapping it up. Most manufacturers will wrap the cheese in plastic that is vacuum sealed. Some gourmet cheese manufacturers, however, will stick to the traditional method of using cloth. These cheesecloths (linens) are traditionally porous and coated in butter or lard. These cloths will cause the cheddar to lose moisture during the aging process which causes it to form a rind. Although gourmet cheeses made with cheesecloth are some of the most delicious, they are also some of the most expensive due to the amount of work involved.

Cultures

The first step in creating a quality cheddar cheese is setting up the culture. Each manufacturer will have slightly different ingredients and bacteria within their culture and it is generally true that gourmet cheddar cheeses will have higher quality ingredients. Some gourmet cheddar manufacturers will also adding an additional set of bacterial cultures to their cheese. This is what will give some gourmet cheeses hints of additional flavors that make them truly stand out from their mass-produced alternatives.