Top 31 Southwestern English Pasteurized Milk Cheeses

This is not your regular Cheddar made across the world, but a unique one because of its maturity, distinctive full flavor, the source of milk and special methods of handmade production within the four Counties of Dorset, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall. It needs to mature for at least 9 months before it is sold, either in cylindrical shape or in blocks of variable sizes. Its flavor can be described as full, sharp and nutty, and it is firm and creamy yellow on the inside, with a crumbly texture. West Country Farmhouse Cheddar is best paired with grapes, pears, apples, figs, celery or ripe tomatoes.Expand

This sharp cow's milk cheese is one of the most popular cheeses in the world today, and it was first produced in the village of Cheddar in Somerset county, England in the 12th century. Cheddar is a hard cheese made from pasteurized cow's milk, and it ranges from white to pale yellow in color. When young, its texture is smooth, and when it is left to mature, the texture becomes more crumbly and it gets a sharper flavor. Joseph Harding—a cheesemaker often referred to as the "father of Cheddar"—said that the authentic Somerset Cheddar should have a close texture, a full, fine flavor reminiscent of hazelnuts, and a melt-in-the-mouth quality. Although cheddar originated in England, the name cheddar can be used for cheese made anywhere because it is not protected, so one should be careful to avoid numerous low-quality, mass-produced "cheddar" found in many supermarkets nowadays, which is one of the main reasons for Cheddar's bad reputation for many people. This cheese is enjoyed throughout the world, but it is most popular in the United Kingdom and the United States - where it is usually colored with annatto seeds which give it an intense orange color. It is especially good when melted, and is perfect in dishes such as macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches, or tuna melts.Expand

Double Gloucester is an English cheese produced in Gloucestershire, hence the name. The cheese is made with full fat cow's milk using the cream from one night's milking and also the following day's milking – hence the word double in its name, but Double Gloucester is twice the height of Single Gloucester, so that might also be a reason for the word double in the name of this cheese. Its texture is smooth and buttery when young, but as it ages (for at least four months) the texture and the rind become very hard, which is the reason why Double Gloucester is used in the popular Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling event. The flavors of this cheese are nutty, creamy, citrusy, rich, and buttery. Double Gloucester is colored with annatto extract to give it a nice apricot color. It is recommended to serve it with nuts and fresh fruit such as apples and pears. Pair it with a glass of English pub ale.Expand

Applewood is an English cheese originating from Ilchester in Somerset, where it was first produced in 1965. Made from cow's milk, this cheddar cheese has a semi-hard, dense texture and a natural rind. It is also known as Applewood Smoked Cheddar – however, it is not smoked, but artificially flavored with smoke and dusted with paprika, giving it a golden-amber visual appearance on the exterior. Its flavor is spicy and smoky. It is recommended to grate Applewood over pasta and baked potatoes, but it can also be served with raisins and apples for those with a sweet tooth.Expand

Stinking Bishop is a soft and pungent cheese produced by Charles Martell & Son since 1972 in Dymock, Gloucestershire. The cheese is made from the milk of the rare Gloucester cow breed, but it is sometimes combined with the milk of Friesian cattle. The rind is washed with perry (fermented pear juice of Stinking Bishop pears, hence the name of the cheese), which gives the cheese its pungent aroma and brown or pink color of the rind. Its texture is smooth and creamy, the aromas very stinky, while the flavors are strong and rich. The soft and creamy texture of Stinking Bishop makes it perfect for spreading on crackers and biscuits. It can also be served with cheese-friendly chutneys. It's recommended to pair it with ice wine and port. This cheese was additionally popularized by the 2005 Wallace & Gromit movie, called The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.Expand

Cornish Yarg is an English cheese hailing from Cornwall. This semi-hard cheese is made from pasteurized cow's milk. It's wrapped in nettle leaves and matures for 5 weeks. The nettles give the cheese a latticed imprint, attract natural molds, and impart a mushroomy note to the cheese as it ages. Underneath the nettle-wrapped rind, the texture is creamy and crumbly. The aromas are grassy and mushroomy, while the flavors are lemony and mushroomy. The cheese was first produced on Bodmin Moor by Alan Gray, who produced Cornish Yarg according to a 17th-century recipe found in his attic. Nowadays, it's produced by Lynher Dairies.Expand

Somerset Brie is a soft British cheese hailing from Somerset. It comes in a cylindrical shape and has a smooth white natural rind. The cheese is made from pasteurized cow's milk. Underneath the rind, the texture is smooth and creamy. The aromas are fresh, mushroomy, and grassy, while the flavors are generally mild. Somerset Brie is often used in sandwiches and salads, and it's recommended to serve it with cherries or apples. In 2002, it won many awards at the British Cheese Awards, including the gold medal in the category of Best Soft Cheese.Expand

Cornish Blue is an English blue cheese produced in Cornwall. The cheese is made from pasteurized cow's milk and it's designated to be eaten young. The texture is dense, moist, sticky, and buttery. The aromas are mild and sweet, while the flavors are creamy, sweet, and mild. Due to its mild flavors, the cheese is very versatile and can be used in cooking. It's recommended to sevre it on crusty bread with chutney on the side or crumble it over buttery new potatoes. Pair it with a glass of port. Cornish Blue has been voted Supreme Champion at the 2010 World Cheese Awards.Expand

Cotswold is a variation of Double Gloucester, originating from Gloucestershire County. The cheese is made with cow's milk, and it's enriched with onions and chives. The color of this cheese varies from golden yellow to orange, and its texture is firm, dense, and crumbly. Cotswold's flavor is sweet, buttery, and tangy, while onions and chives provide it with an extra layer of flavor. Cotswold is also known as pub cheese in England, so it is recommended to pair it with a cold beer on the side.Expand

Cornish Brie is, as the name suggests, a Brie-style cheese made in Cornwall. The cheese has a bloomy rind, and beneath it, there is a yellow, smooth, and creamy paste. Made from full fat cow's milk from Cornwall, this cheese has flavors that are mild, creamy, and buttery. Matured to perfection, Cornish Brie also features the gooey middle that's adored by Brie lovers. It's recommended to serve it on a cheeseboard, but it can also be grilled or used in a variety of sandwiches and salads.Expand

Lynher Dairies Cheese is a cheese producer known for manufacturing Cornish Yarg, a semi-hard cow's milk cheese wrapped in nettle leaves. The company also produces Kern, a hard cheese aged for 16 months and covered in a black wax coating. These cheeses are crafted using traditional methods and locally sourced ingredients.Expand

Lyburn Farmhouse Cheesemakers is located in Landford, England, where they produce a variety of artisan cheeses. They follow traditional methods to create cheeses from their own herd's milk, ensuring traceability and sustainability. Their cheese selection often includes varieties such as Stoney Cross, Lyburn Gold, and Old Winchester.Expand

Ticklemore Cheese is based in Totnes, Devon, and specializes in producing artisan cheeses. The company is known for its blue cheese, Devon Blue, and a goat's cheese, Harbourne Blue. Expand

Daylesford Organic Farm is located in Gloucestershire, England, and specializes in producing organic, artisan cheeses, as well as a wide range of other organic products such as milk, bread, and meat. The farm employs sustainable farming methods and is dedicated to animal welfare. In addition, Daylesford Organic Farm produces a variety of cheeses made from the milk of its cows and goats, ensuring the quality and authenticity of each product. It is a symbol of British organic and artisan tradition, renowned for the high quality of its products, its ecological approach, and its care for animals and the environment.Expand

Sharpham Dairy is located in Totnes, Devon, and specializes in handcrafted cheeses. The dairy produces a distinctive range of cheeses primarily from their own Jersey cow milk and also from local goat's milk. Their product lineup includes both soft and semi-hard cheeses, featuring their notable Sharpham Brie and Ticklemore cheese varieties.Expand