Best British Fresh Cheese Types
Crowdie is a traditional fresh cheese made with cow's milk. It is produced by curdling skimmed milk with rennet. The texture of this cheese is creamy and crumbly, its flavor is sour, and its varieties can be enriched with herbs, oatmeal, or black peppercorns.
It is believed that Crowdie was introduced to the country by Vikings in the 8th century. Pair it with a glass of dry white wine and consume it with fruit or oatcakes.
Creamy Lancashire is an English cheese hailing from Lancashire as one of the three types of Lancashire – Creamy, Tasty, and Crumbly. It's made from pasteurized or raw cow's milk and it's left to age ffrom 4 to 12 weeks. Underneath its natural rind, the texture is smooth, creamy, and fluffy.
The aromas are rich, while the flavors are smooth, creamy, and buttery. Due to its texture and the fact that it doesn't become stringy when melted, Creamy Lancashire is often spread on toast, and in some areas it's so popular that people call it a toastie.
Pair with
THE BEST Creamy Lancashire Cheeses
Sussex Slipcote is an English cheese hailing from Horsted Keynes, West Sussex. This fresh cheese is made from sheep's milk, and it's often flavored with peppercorns, garlic, or aromatic herbs. The ripening period usually lasts for 10 days.
The texture is soft, moist, and almost mousse-like. The aromas are clean and fresh, while the flavors are lemony and tangy with sweet notes. The name of this cheese is derived from an old English word meaning a little (slip) piece of cottage (cote) cheese.
Childwickbury is an English cheese hailing from Odell in Bedfordshire. The cheese is made by Oliver Hudson from pasteurized goat's milk. Underneath its natural rind, the texture is smooth, creamy, and soft. The aromas are mild, milky, fresh, and floral, while the flavors are mild, milky, citrusy, and lemony.
Interestingly, this goat cheese was once presented to the patrons of the G20 Summit Dinner by Jamie Oliver, who chose the best of British food to showcase the United Kingdom to the international guests.
Vulscombe is an English cheese hailing from Tiverton. This rindless cheese is made from pasteurized goat's milk. The texture is soft and creamy, the aromas are goaty, rich, and herbaceous, while the flavors are mild, herbaceous, and slightly spicy.
Besides the plain version, Vulscombe also comes in a few versions flavored with herbs and garlic, black peppercorns, or herbs and sun-dried tomatoes. The herbs are freshly picked from the garden of Graham and Jo Townsend, the cheesemakers.
Perroche is an English cheese hailing from Herefordshire. This fresh cheese is made from raw goat's milk and it's usually left to ripen for a week. Underneath its natural rind, this cylindrical cheese has a texture that is light, fluffy, and mousse-like.
The aromas are fresh and goaty, while the flavors are mild, tangy, clean, and lemony, with an almondy finish. Perroche comes plain or rolled in fresh herbs such as dill, rosemary, and tarragon. It's recommended to grill the cheese or serve it with crackers or bread.
Olde York is an English cheese hailing from Thirsk, where it's produced by Shepherd's Purse. This fresh cheese is made from pasteurized sheep's milk. It's left to ripen from 10 to 22 days. Underneath its natural rind, the texture is supple, smooth, and easily spreadable at room temperature.
The aromas are sweet, while the flavors are sweet and acidic. It's recommended to serve Olde York with baked potatoes and pair it with champagne and strawberries.
Pair with
Cerney Pyramid is an English cheese produced in the Cotswolds. The cheese is modeled on Valencay and it's shaped into a truncated pyramid that's coated with a combination of sea salt and oak ash. Made from raw goat's milk, Cerney Pyramid is ready for consumption when it's one or two weeks old and has a soft texture and a mild, creamy, and fresh flavor.
As it ages, it develops more intense flavors and a lemony tang. This cheese has won Super Gold at the 2014 World Cheese Awards.
Pantysgawn is a Welsh cheese made from pasteurized goat's milk. It has a creamy texture and a salty, herbal, and slightly sour flavor. The cheese is white in color and does not have a rind. Apart from the plain variety, pantysgawn is sometimes sold rolled in mixed herbs or black peppercorns.
It is often used in salads, consumed as a snack, or grilled.
Best British Fresh Cheese Producers
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2022, 2021
Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2024, 2023, 2022, 2021
Global Cheese Awards - Best
2024, 2023, 2021
BEST White Lake Cheese Cheeses
Longley Farm is a dairy farm and cheese producer located in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, England. Established in 1948 by brothers Edgar and Joseph Dickinson, the farm specializes in producing a variety of dairy products including cottage cheese, yogurt, and cream.
Longley Farm is known for its focus on quality and maintaining high welfare standards for its herd without the use of artificial additives or GMOs in their products.
AWARDS
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023
BEST Longley Farm Cheeses
AWARDS
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
BEST Rosary Goats Cheese Cheeses
Best British Fresh Cheeses
J&E Dickinson Longley Farm produces Cottage Cheese Chive, a fresh dairy product that integrates the classic taste of cottage cheese with the subtle, savory flavor of chives. This cottage cheese variety is crafted from high-quality milk, resulting in a creamy yet slightly tangy base that pairs well with the aromatic, onion-like notes of chopped chives.
Known for its smooth texture and rich taste, Cottage Cheese Chive by Longley Farm is often enjoyed as a versatile snack, a topping for salads, or a key ingredient in various recipes.
AWARDS
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023
Hollis Mead Organic Truffled Benville is an artisanal organic cheese produced by Hollis Mead Organic Dairy. This dairy is known for its commitment to sustainable farming practices and its dedication to producing high-quality organic products. The Truffled Benville cheese incorporates the rich, earthy flavor of truffles, offering a gourmet experience for cheese aficionados.
Each cheese is crafted with milk sourced from the dairy's own organically raised cows, ensuring a product free from synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. The cheese's creamy texture and complex flavor make it a standout addition to any cheese board or gourmet recipe.
AWARDS
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2023
AWARDS
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
AWARDS
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
AWARDS
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
AWARDS
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
AWARDS
Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
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