Dry Cheddar ?

Raven_k42 · 13-10-2010 9:59pm #1

Hi there. I'm trying to help my Dad re-live his youth !!. He's looking for "dry" cheddar...the type you used to be able to buy. I suppose mostly when you would have a piece cut from a large block. Most of the current stuff...and OK it might be...has a slightly processed creamy texture. What he's after is the dry chalky texture. Any suggestions ?.

Many thanks,
K

The Hill Billy · 13-10-2010 10:43pm

The closest (outside of a cheesemongers) that I've come to a dry cheddar as you describe it is Lidl's Mature White Cheddar (in a black wrapper).
It has been a while since I've bought it, but I'm sure that they still stock it.

Lovely stuff.

Little Alex · 13-10-2010 11:16pm

I love Cheddar like that myself. I must try the Lidl cheese, Hill Billy. If they still sell it - and maybe you'd be better off going to one of the big stores - Tesco Finest have an extra mature Canadian Cheddar. It's dry, crumbly and has crystal grains (salt flakes or from the maturing process???) in it.

Sergeant · 14-10-2010 1:42am

Hill Billy wrote: »

The closest (outside of a cheesemongers) that I've come to a dry cheddar as you describe it is Lidl's Mature White Cheddar (in a black wrapper).
It has been a while since I've bought it, but I'm sure that they still stock it.

Lovely stuff.

Are you sure it isn't the Aldi finest cheddar?

http://aldi.ie/ie/html/product_range/special_buys4_14464.htm

It's great stuff, as are most of their Irish produced specially selected range.

olaola · 14-10-2010 8:56am

Sergeant wrote: »

Are you sure it isn't the Aldi finest cheddar?

http://aldi.ie/ie/html/product_range/special_buys4_14464.htm

It's great stuff, as are most of their Irish produced specially selected range.

Yeah, I was going to say this too. It's FAB - so tangy (my taste buds are twinging with the thought of it!)

Dizzyblonde · 14-10-2010 10:18am

JC's supermarket in Swords sell that type of cheddar, it's cut from a huge block into maller blocks and wrapped in clingfilm. I buy it every week and it's the closest to old-fashioned cheese that I've tasted.

the beer revolu · 14-10-2010 12:09pm

Heagerty's Farmhouse cheddar might be what you're looking for.
I'd be surprised if Sheridan's didn't stock it or something similar

rubadub · 14-10-2010 9:33pm

My mates father used to just leave cheese unwrapped in the fridge, it dries it out. I suppose if you put slices on a plate it would dry it out more. I used to like it but never thought of doing it and forgot all about it until now.

A lot of the mature cheddars are sort of dry/flaky.

I was also thinking of putting mince spread out on a plate in the fridge to purposely dry it out a little, and not release all that water when fried.

The Hill Billy · 15-10-2010 7:50am

Sergeant wrote: »

Are you sure it isn't the Aldi finest cheddar?

I am positive. I have never shopped in Aldi.

Alun · 15-10-2010 8:26am

Remember as well that cheese "sweats" when stored in a fridge in plastic wrapping that may contribute a bit to what the OP's seeing. Cheese should ideally be stored in wrapping that allows it to breath a little, i.e. loosely wrapped in something like the waxed paper they use in proper cheesemongers, and kept in an airy, cool, but not overly cold, place, say 8-10C. In the "olden days" that would have been a larder (what ever happened to larders, eh?) but alternatively use the least cold part of the fridge which apparently is usually in the salad compartment at the bottom. (I always thought cold air sank?)