Skillfully and Carefully Matured in Grafton’s Aging Caves, This Clothbound Cheddar is a Real Treat.
Grafton’s signature Clothbound Cheddar is wrapped in cheesecloth and cave-aged in the Grafton caves for a minimum of 6-8 months. Grafton uses the traditional method that was used for centuries in Britain and the pre-industrialized US to wrap and age their clothbound cheddar. Aging in cloth allows this cheese to take on a deeper variety of flavors at a younger age and gives the clothbound cheddar a firm and creamy texture with a tendency to crumble.
Clothbound Cheddar has a mottled gray rind with aromas of cave, mushrooms, and fresh butter. Flavors are similar to a traditional English cheddar: grassy, nutty notes dominate with some lemony accents and a smooth, lactic body that leaves a long, savory finish.
Best served as a table cheese or as an addition to a cheese plate. Add depth to a melted blend for cooking by mixing Grafton Clothbound with younger cheeses.
Two Size Options Available:
Ingredients: Unpasteurized cow milk, salt, cultures, enzymes
Vegetarian approved rennet
Grafton Village Clothbound Cheddar Spiced Fricos
Ingredients; 4 ounces grated Grafton Village Clothbound Cheddar, 1 tsp ground nutmeg, 1 tsp ground clove, 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions;
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with cooking oil and top with parchment paper.
- Using a fine grater, grate the Grafton Village Clothbound Cheddar into a bowl.
- In a separate, small bowl, combine the spices
- Using your fingers or a spoon, scoop the grated cheese into loose mounds about 1 inch in diameter on the baking sheet. Be sure to leave approximately 1 inch between each. Top the mounds with a sprinkle of spice mixture.
- Place filled baking sheet on top oven rack and bake for 4 to 8 minutes. Watch carefully until the melted cheese has stopped bubbling and the edges are slightly tanned. To avoid bitterness, be careful not to let edges get too brown.
- Remove baking sheet from the oven and allow to sit for 2 minutes. With a soft spatual, transfer each frico to a paper towel lined cooling rack to help absorb any oil from the fricos. Serve with your favorite jams or top with a crisp apple slice and enjoy!
Recipe by Monica Petrucci of Culture Magazine and Grafton Village Cheese Company. To see or print this original recipe, click here
Grafton's Clothbound Cheddar is best served as a table cheese or mixed with younger cheeses to add depth to a melted blend for cooking We enjoy a ploughman's lunch of Grafton Clothbound Cheddar, Blake Hill's Fresh Tomato Jam, sliced cured meats, and pickles.
Wine Pairing Suggestions; Pinot Noir, Chablis, and Off-dry Riesling
Beer Pairing Suggestions; Wheat beer, Red Ales, and Dry or off-dry Ciders