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Grafton Cheddar |
Country: United State
Cheese Texture/Type: Firm
Cheese Milk Type: Cow
Cheese Age: 2 Years
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GRAFTON VERMONT CHEDDAR: RAW-MILK CHEESE FROM SACRED COWS
Where does a cheese of this caliber originate? England? France? Well, this beautiful cheddar was born in the USA, at the Grafton Village Cheese Company in the rolling hills of southern Vermont. This artisan cheese house is renowned for its cheddar products and revered both domestically and internationally. They are part of a new wave of American farmhouse cheesemakers who have been energizing our taste buds with distinctive farmhouse cheeses for well over a decade. This fantastic cheddar has been aging for two years, but what you are about to taste is the culmination of more than just the two years of patient and proper aging. You're about to experience artisan cheesemaking at its best. We chose this cheddar because it's extraordinarily flavorful and lacks the 'bitter bite' characteristic of many aged cheddars. Although this bitterness is often associated with aged cheddar, maître fromagers and affineurs confirm that this is an undesirable characteristic—a sign of second-rate cheese making and/or less desirable milk. A well made cheddar will acquire depth in its flavor without bitterness. We know you'll be impressed by its complexity and intensity, by its exceedingly long and delicious finish and a sweetness that is remarkable for cheddar that’s been aged two years or more as this one has. With age, the texture becomes slightly drier, so it's best to allow this cheese to fully warm to room temperature before cutting and serving.
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If the only mature cheddars you've tried have had a strong, bitter bite, then the creamy, smooth, gentle-yet-complex intensity of this one should be a revelation. After tasting a few dozen different cheeses, our skillful, fromageophile friends at Zingerman's selected one—made back in 2008—for us. When you taste it, you'll note a nutty flavor that hints of fresh fruit. It’s exceptionally creamy on the palate and boasts a long-lasting, delicate finish. This aged cheddar is amazingly versatile. Try it on salads, in cheese sauces, on sandwiches, and as a snack. Any way you slice it, its great flavor and excellent finish will make you yearn for more.
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12/08/2014
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