News and Features

Wonderful Cheddar!

I went to a wine, cider and apple juice tasting last week, courtesy of The Mendip Bottle and Orchard Pig (more to come on both of these fantastic companies soon) and discovered the best artisan cheddar I have ever tasted – full flavoured, with a delicious tangy aftertaste.

I am obviously not the first to appreciate Westcombe Cheddar; it’s stocked by Waitrose and Neil’s Yard and more locally at Emma B’s in Somerton, La Maison du fromage in Wells, and both fine Cheese and Paxton and Whitfield in Bath.  But if you want to discover the passion behind the product we suggest you go along to Bath Farmers’ Market and meet Tom Calver, trained by renowned cheesemaker Bob Bramley. I asked him his secret and he told me “The cheddar is matured for 12 to 18 months, but the funny thing is there isn't really a secret recipe. Making cheese is like making wine; everyday is a new vintage.”

One word of warning - once you've bought it, eat it quickly, it only keeps for a few days.

Can’t wait to buy some?  Watch it maturing on Cheddar Vision – you can even click across to you tube and reduce 9 months care to 1 minute!