EXTRA SHARP CHEDDAR IN WISCONSIN OR MIDWEST?
I hope there are a lot of cheddar fans out here in the Midwest. I'm searching for the best sharp cheddar to utilize within an up and coming restaurant menu. I love the sharp cheddars from England and know it may be hard to find that character here in the states. However, I'm curious about the quality of cheddars from Wisconsin (since I'm not familiar) or even in all of Midwest. Would love to know what anyone thinks. Thanks!
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Wisconsin cheddar is world class and some of the best in the world. Do some research on world cheese contests and you will see WI cheddar up and down the boards. Check out the aged cheddar 1 to 2 years from Hooks, Cedar Grove Cheese, Trega Foods, Maple Leaf Cheese, Carr Valley, Gibbsville, Weyauwega, etc. There are so many good ones, you need to try them. Also, when you say sharp, there a various years of sharp chedder. You can't base it off of company / cheesemaker at that point. One maker could have an outstanding 5 year cheddar, but a really bad 1 or 2 year. Of course the older you get, the more expensive and the better. If you are looking at a higher end cheese plate and an old cheedar that is 10+ years, I would recommend Hooks. Good luck, and taste away!
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Monch
Jan 18, 2011 09:52 AM
Seek out Carr Valley product - http://www.carrvalleycheese.com/
They produce some fantastic aged cheddar - I particularly like their 10-Year cheddar.
Another Madison storefront, in addition to Brennan's, is Fromagination - http://www.fromagination.com/
A dizzying array of product and a great team behind the counter.
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Fromagination
12 S Carroll St, Madison, WI -
Old Quebec 3 year or 7 year Cheddar is the best for the price. Though the 15 year from Hooks was pretty tasty but not worth $50/ lb. http://www.oldquebeccheddar.com/
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re: Ch0pp3r
sunshine842
Jan 13, 2011 12:22 PM
Wisconsin cheddars are delicious. If you're around the Madison area, try Brennan's Markets -- they carry a dizzying array of *good* Wisconsin cheeses and sausages -- not very much of the funky-shaped tourist stuff, and a whole lot of small-producer goodness.
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