Best Southwestern English Washed Rind Cheese Types
Stinking Bishop is a soft and pungent cheese produced by Charles Martell & Son since 1972 in Dymock, Gloucestershire. The cheese is made from the milk of the rare Gloucester cow breed, but it is sometimes combined with the milk of Friesian cattle.
The rind is washed with perry (fermented pear juice of Stinking Bishop pears, hence the name of the cheese), which gives the cheese its pungent aroma and brown or pink color of the rind. Its texture is smooth and creamy, the aromas very stinky, while the flavors are strong and rich.
Pair with
Keltic Gold is a traditional semi-hard cheese produced in North Cornwall. The cheese is made from pasteurized Cornish cow's milk and has an edible washed rind that's dipped in local cider during the production. Due to the cider, the aromas are fruity and pungent with distinctive apple overtones.
The texture is smooth and creamy, while the flavors are fruity, rounded, and sweet, reminiscent of French Alpine cheeses. Keltic Gold melts exceptionally well, and it's recommended to melt it into a fondue sauce, with an added sprinkle of nutmeg.
Loddiswell Avondale is an English cheese hailing from Devon, where it's produced by Bill and Jocelyn Martin. The cheese is made from raw goat's milk and it's left to age for 2 months before consumption. Underneath its washed rind, the texture is semi-soft, firm, and almost dry.
The aroma is goaty, while the flavors are sweet and reminiscent of almonds. It's recommended to pair Loddiswell Avondale with Chardonnay. The cheese won the British Cheese Award in 1994. Nowadays, there are varieties of the cheese flavored with garlic or parsley.
Loosely based on Livarot, Little Colonel is a British cheese hailing from Dorset, where it's made by James's Cheese. This semi-soft cheese is made from pasteurized cow's milk and it's usually left to age from 6 to 8 weeks before consumption.
Underneath its brine-washed rind, the texture is supple and smooth. The aromas are pungent, while the flavors are spicy and complex.
Wellesley is an English cheese hailing from Stawley, where it's produced by Caroline and Will Atkinson. The cheese is made from raw goat's milk and the wheels are left to mature for up to 6 months. Underneath its washed rind, the texture is firm and crumbly.
The aroma is grassy, while the flavors are nutty, sweet, and slightly acidic.
Miss Muffet is an English cheese produced in Cornwall. The semi-soft cheese is made from pasteurized cow's milk and it matures for 4-6 weeks. The natural moldy rind is pink and gray in color. The aromas are nutty, while the texture is smooth and supple.
The flavor is creamy and sweet. On the palate, it's springy and clean, just like the best Dutch Goudas and Edams. It's recommended to try Miss Muffet baked with almonds and honey as an appetizer.
Francis is an English cheese produced in the village of Landford. The cheese is made from cow's milk and has a sticky washed rind. It's matured for 8-10 weeks. Francis has a texture that's smooth, open, buttery, and supple. The aromas are rich and pungent, while the flavors are rich with a fruity finish.
The cheese was named after the late, great James Aldridge, and Francis was his unused birth name.
Ogleshield is an artisan cheese made in Cadbury, Somerset. The cheese is made from raw Jersey cow's milk. Its rind is washed in brine every 3 days, resulting in a sticky, slightly pungent rind which also softens the paste. The texture is creamy and supple, while the flavors are sweet and fruity.
Ogleshield was created by Bill Oglethorpe, a storeman at the Neal's Yard Dairy, who modified the Jersey Shield cheese by washing the rind, which affects the texture, flavor, aroma, and the quality of the rind itself. It's recommended to use Ogleshield in dishes such as raclette due to its great melting properties.
May Hill Green is a semi-soft cheese made from cow's milk of rare-breed Gloucester and Friesian cattle. It's produced in Gloucestershire by Charles Martell. The rind is washed in brine, then covered in chopped nettles. The cheese has a buttery, rich, and runny texture.
The aromas are strong and herbal, while the flavors are milky, creamy, and tart. It is recommended to serve May Hill Green on a cheeseboard or spread it on crusty bread.
Best Southwestern English Washed Rind Cheese Producers
Bath Soft Cheese is a family-run farm located near Bath, England, specializing in organic, artisan cheeses. They utilize traditional methods and their own cow's milk for production. Among their well-known products is the Bath Soft Cheese, which is creamy and has a characteristic white bloomy rind.
The company has received several awards for their cheeses, including accolades at the World Cheese Awards.
AWARDS
Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2024, 2023, 2021
Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2021, 2019, 2018
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2022, 2021
BEST Bath Soft Cheese Cheeses
AWARDS
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2019
Global Cheese Awards - Best
2024, 2023, 2018
Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2021, 2018
BEST Curds & Croust Cheeses
Best Southwestern English Washed Rind Cheeses
Russet Squire is a cider-washed, semi-soft cheese crafted by the artisan cheesemakers at Curds & Croust. The cheese is known for its distinctive aroma and rich, complex flavor profile. It features a creamy texture that makes it a delightful addition to any cheese board.
The washing process, using cider, gives the cheese a unique, slightly tangy taste and enhances its depth of flavor, making it a standout option for cheese enthusiasts.
AWARDS
Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2018
Global Cheese Awards - Champion
2018
Global Cheese Awards - Best
2018
AWARDS
Global Cheese Awards - Best
2024
Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
Merry Wyfe is a distinctive cheese produced by Bath Soft Cheese, an award-winning cheese maker based in Kelston, near Bath, UK. This particular cheese is washed rind and made from organic cow's milk that comes directly from the company's own farm.
The unique aspect of Merry Wyfe is that it is washed in cider, which is also made from apples grown on the company’s orchard. This process gives the cheese a characteristic orange-pink rind and a creamy, pungent flavor profile. The name of the cheese, playful and historical, ranks it amongst other traditionally made British cheeses, appealing to both cheese connoisseurs and enthusiasts.
AWARDS
Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2021, 2018
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2021
Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2021
AWARDS
Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2024
Global Cheese Awards - Best
2024
Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
AWARDS
Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2023
Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2024
Global Cheese Awards - Best
2023
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