Montgomery's Cheddar: A Story of Skill and Care

Montgomery's Cheddar is a cheese with a long and proud history. Made by the Montgomery family in South Somerset for three generations, it is a cheese that is steeped in tradition and made with skill and care.

From the diet of the 200 Friesian cows that provide the milk to the traditional 'pint starter' used to set the curd, every detail is carefully considered to ensure that the cheese is of the highest quality.

One of the last three remaining traditional unpasteurised artisan Somerset Cheddars, Montgomery's is made in small batches, seven days a week.

The 'pint starters' used to set the curd are more difficult to handle than the powders that many cheese-makers use, but they create variations in flavour from day to day. This gives the cheeses great character and complexity, and is one of the factors that has contributed to Montgomery's reputation as one of the best cheddars in the world.

At Montgomery's, they also use an old, slow peg mill that gives the cheese its characteristic texture. Unlike the very smooth and almost creamy texture of more mass-produced cheddars, Montgomery's has a texture that is almost brittle, with small fissures throughout the cheese. This texture is part of what gives Montgomery's its unique character and makes it stand out from other cheddars.

After the cheese is made, it is aged in cloth and stripped after a long maturing process. This allows the cheese to develop its full flavour and gives it a rich, nutty, and sweet taste. Matured for around 14 months, Montgomery's Cheddar is complex, with a real depth of flavor. It is golden and glorious, with a slightly crumbly texture that is characteristic of a properly developed, cloth-bound cheese.

Montgomery's Cheddar has been recognised for its excellence by winning awards, including Best Hard Cheese and Supreme Champion Runner Up at the Artisan Cheese Awards 2021. This is a testament to the skill and care that goes into every batch of cheese made at Montgomery's.

In conclusion, Montgomery's Cheddar is a cheese that is made with skill and care, using traditional methods and the best ingredients. It is a cheese with a rich history and a unique character that has made it one of the best cheddars in the world. If you ever have the opportunity to try Montgomery's Cheddar, you won't be disappointed.

 

The Cheese Lady x