Leena Recommends

September

Mature White & Mature Red Cheddar: Familiar Cheese, Fuller Flavour

Cheddar is one of those cheeses almost everyone has heard of. But once you move from a mild everyday Cheddar to a Mature Cheddar, the experience changes.

This September, Leena Recommends Mature White Cheddar and Mature Red Cheddar — two cheeses for those who enjoy Cheddar with a little more character.

What makes Mature Cheddar different?

The magic is largely in ageing.

As Cheddar matures, its flavour becomes deeper and more pronounced and its texture generally becomes firmer. Compared with a young or mild Cheddar, expect a mature one to be sharper, richer, more savoury and more lingering on the palate.

Sometimes you may even notice tiny crunchy crystals in a well-aged cheese. These can develop naturally during ageing and are not necessarily a sign that anything is wrong with the cheese.

Mature White or Mature Red?

At Mishti Gourmet, you can choose between Mature White Cheddar and Mature Red Cheddar.

Don't assume that the red one must automatically be stronger simply because of its colour. Colour and maturity are different things.

Which should you choose?

Sometimes it can simply come down to what you enjoy and what looks better in the dish you're making.

We'll talk more about the interesting White-vs-Red Cheddar story separately on Leena's Cheese Table.

How can you enjoy Mature Cheddar?

This is one of the reasons I like recommending it: it doesn't demand an elaborate recipe.

Enjoy it with crackers and fruit. Put it into a sandwich or toastie. Grate it over a baked potato. Use it where you want a cheese sauce with a more pronounced Cheddar flavour. Add it to savoury bakes—or simply cut yourself a piece and enjoy it as it is.

And if you're wondering what I'd make with it this month...

Caramelised Onion & Mature Cheddar Toast.

The slowly cooked onions bring sweetness; Mature Cheddar brings sharpness and depth. You can make it with either Mature White or Mature Red Cheddar.

You'll find the complete recipe in our Recipe section.

Leena's Tip

When enjoying Mature Cheddar on its own or as part of a cheese board, take it out of the refrigerator a little before serving. Very cold cheese can hide some of its aroma and flavour.

And don't think of mild and mature Cheddar as ordinary versus superior. They simply have different personalities and different uses.

Choose the cheese that suits your palate and your plate.

Happy Cheesy Time!

Explore our Mature Cheddars