Cheddar Provides an Excellent Source of Proteinįirstly, as previously shown, Cheddar cheese is a protein-rich food that is approximately 25% protein by weight ( 2). While these health benefits are not solely applicable to Cheddar, here are five good reasons to include it in your diet 1. On the positive side, cheese is perfectly healthy for the majority of people and it has some important health benefits. Like most foods, there are positives and negatives of cheese, and how healthy (or not) it is will depend on the person. Is cheddar cheese healthy… or is it unhealthy? Key Point: Cheddar has a decent nutritional profile and it is especially high in protein and the mineral calcium. The table below shows these different classifications ( 1) Cheddar Classification Systemĭepending on the aging process, there are different names to classify Cheddar cheese. However, these crystals are not unique to Cheddar, and other long-aged varieties cheese such as Parmesan experience the same. Interestingly, these crystals are formed when the proteins in cheese break down as part of the aging process. These well-aged cheeses will also have a crumbly texture and may possibly contain calcium lactate crystals. On the other hand, longer aged cheese will display sharp, tangy and pungent flavors. This is why cheese fermented for only several weeks ( like Camembert and Brie) has a very soft texture. Typically, Cheddar undergoes a fermentation process that lasts anywhere between 3 and 24 months.Ī shorter aging time will produce a mild, creamy cheese with a soft texture.

Notably, the taste and texture of Cheddar can vary a lot depending on the length of aging. The first reference to Cheddar comes in 1170 in a pipe roll (a traditional English financial record) showing King Henry II purchasing 4,640 kg of the cheese ( 1). This popular cheese has a very long history in fact, the earliest records go back to the 12th century. However, Cheddar cheese is now made throughout the world. The origins of the cheese lie in the town of Cheddar, a small town in the region of Somerset, England. Occasionally you may also find orange varieties of the cheese due to the use of the food coloring annatto. What is Cheddar Cheese?Ĭheddar is a pale-yellow, medium-hard cheese made from cow’s milk. This article takes a look at the origin, nutrition profile and health benefits (and concerns) of Cheddar.Īdditionally, there are some delicious recipe ideas too. Whether served by itself or as an accompaniment, not many foods beat a good Cheddar cheese. Cheddar is the most popular type of cheese in the world.

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