Wensleydale cheese

Wensleydale cheese is a type of cheese that originates from the town of Wensleydale, in North Yorkshire, England. It is a traditional, creamy, crumbly cheese that is often eaten with fruit such as apples or pears.

History

Wensleydale cheese has a rich history dating back to the 11th century, when it was first made by Cistercian monks who had settled in the Wensleydale region. The monks brought with them the recipe for the cheese, which was originally made from sheep's milk. After the dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century, the recipe was passed on to local farmers who continued the tradition of cheese-making, eventually switching to cow's milk.

Production

The production of Wensleydale cheese involves a number of steps. First, the milk is pasteurized and then cooled before a starter culture is added to convert the lactose into lactic acid. Rennet is then added to coagulate the milk and form curds. The curds are cut, heated, and then pressed into moulds to form the cheese. The cheese is then matured for a period of time, which can vary depending on the desired final product.

Varieties

There are several varieties of Wensleydale cheese, including Blue Wensleydale, which is allowed to mature for longer to develop blue veins, and Oak Smoked Wensleydale, which is smoked over oak chips for a distinctive flavour. There is also a version of Wensleydale cheese that includes cranberries, known as Wensleydale with Cranberries.

In popular culture

Wensleydale cheese gained international recognition through its association with the popular British animated series, Wallace and Gromit. In the series, the character Wallace, a cheese enthusiast, often mentions his love for Wensleydale cheese.

See also

• List of British cheeses
• Cheese-making
• Yorkshire Dales