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The Fine Art of Aging
One of the most unique things about Cheddar is how it changes and matures
with the passage of time.
Like a fine wine, a classic Cheddar needs just the right combination of
quality ingredients, the skilled eye and palate of a master craftsman
and years of carefully aging and nurturing.
Cheddars vary in flavour depending on how long they've been aged. At Balderson,
the process can take from two or three months to six years. It's not a
process that can be rushed or easily simulated. All Balderson Cheddars
are naturally aged and don't contain any modified enzymes or artificial
colourings.
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If the cheddar isn't just perfect as a Mild, no amount of aging will improve its flavour.
When freshly made, Mild Cheddar (approx. 2 - 3 months) has a pleasant, milky aroma and a softer almost rubbery texture. As the Cheddar matures, it loses moisture and its texture becomes drier and more crumbly. It begins to take on a secondary flavour or taste. This "bite" or sharpness is the result of increased levels of salt and acids that naturally intensifies during the aging.
The sharpness becomes very noticeable at around 12 months (Old Cheddar) and at 18 months (Extra Old), it overtakes the original mild cheddar flavour. Premium Aged Cheddars begin at two full years of aging and become increasingly sharper, saltier and dramatically more crumbly in texture.
Regardless of the age, the complementary balance between the cheddar flavour and its developing sharpness is the goal of the cheese maker. In a classic aged Cheddar, the body should still be rich, with a moderate amount of crumbliness in the texture, and the aroma should be clean and pleasant with a piquant sensation to the nose and palate.
Those are the characteristics that our Master Cheese Maker, Rejean Galipeau, looks for as he continually grades and re-grades his cheeses. He's anxious to ensure that each cheese is sold at its peak flavour and maturity.
But he's a patient man - because he knows that the secret of making a fine aged Cheddar is waiting.
The optimum aging period for Cheddars is from five to six years. Most lovers of aged Cheddar prefer Balderson 3 Year Old Heritage Cheddar for everyday use and 5 Year Old Heritage for special occasions, entertaining or just plain showing off. |
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