barber's cheese......

[danoid]

ok gang......one of the supermarket chains here in the states....wegmans.com is carrying the barber west country farmhouse cheddar and i was wondering if it is worthwhile to try?? so i figured that i would ask all you lovely AB'ers for your thoughts on it........

thanks to all!!!!

(would try cheese on toast.....)

[Buenchico]

I've not tried it but, given that it currently holds the award as best in the world, it should be rather tasty!
http://www.thisissome...435-detail/story.html

Here in the UK it's sold by one of the major supermarket chains (Sainsbury's, which is generally well-regarded as to the quality of its products) as part of its 'Taste the Difference' range (which is the label it uses for its premium food products) at a price which is only about 25% higher than a regular cheddar.

Cheese on toast? Well, yes, it should be nice but it would be even better served with a decent chutney, on good quality bread. And please, please, please, remember that decent cheese should NEVER be served straight from the fridge. I'd give it a day or two at room temperature (without any wrapping) before trying it.

Chris

PS: If you ever get the chance to try Keen's Cheddar, grab it with both hands! (I'm not sure whether it can be sold in the USA though. Some countries prohibit the sale of unpasteurised milk products).

[Zhukov]

hello danoid - I live in the West Country,a short drive from Cheddar,and its Gorge.I confess that although I am partial to a little Cheddar Cheese(not too mature,,and use it for many things,from sandwiches,toasties - to grated,in a bowl,to go with the whole Chili con carne,burritos,tacos..)I have not tasted Barbers ,but at a glance,they began 1833..J Sainsbury stock it,they have recent high awards/commendations...go for it!..if the price is not too steep..

Pity you don"t have Lancashire Cheese,that is my pick..especially toasted!

[TheOtherHalf]

Lancashire cheese is also my favourite. It makes a better cheese sauce than cheddar. I havnt seen this cheese you mention but will give it a try if I do. Im always willing to try new ones as is OH. He likes the smelly ones though. I just like a good sharp cheese.

[lady-janine]

i'm with Chris on this one - deffo not straight from the 'fridge. no cheese should be eaten lke that. need time to get to room temp. right the way through. try it untoasted first that way you get the real flavour.

[heathfield]

I find that some strong cheddars tend to lose their 'bite' when used for cheese on toast or cheese sauces. I guess the only way to find out which will retain their taste is to try 'em all!

[vivandorron]

For a good cheese on toast (Welsh Rarebit) you need to have the cheese really dried out. Wrap in some kitchen paper and leave for a number of days to draw-out the oily content. Incidentally I live in South Wales.

Ron.

[danoid]

thanks to everyone for their responses.....

chris--yes i can get keen's cheddar.....i use thefind.com and typed that in the search box and got some hits....thank you for the tip..and oh yes...room temp for cheese, without a doubt!!...here is one place....http://www.igourmet.com/shoppe/prodv
iew.aspx?cat=Cheese+by+Country&subcat=England
&prod=6035&name=Keen%27s+Traditional+Unpasteu
rized+Cheddar+&cf=usp_ListProducts_Sel&cprod=



i saw hesties recipe for macaroni cheese and the cheeses he had in that.....found a place in new york city that sells berskwell ($42 a pound)....no luck with the spenwood yet....time will tell.....( i was intrigued by the cornflour trick tho....)

tho i was happy recently to find some places here in the states that offer stichelton via mail order as i i was intrigued by gordon ramsays recipe for maraconi and cheese from the F word days....http://www.stichelton.co.uk/stockists
.html


zhukov---this place offer lancashire cheddar (not badly priced in the overall scheme of things).....http://www.artisanalcheese.com/pr
odinfo.asp?number=10025


it seems like i recall 2 or 3 years ago that aldi's here in the states offered red leicester and Wensleydale...of course it was around christmas time...thanks again for all your comments.....if you have any others please feel free.....