Six Unusual UK Cheeses

Cheese has made all over the world, for more than 4000 years. It is made mostly of milk from reindeer, cows, sheep, goats, camels and yaks, depending on the country.

The process of cheese making is basically the same no matter where you go. It is very simple and can even be tried at home if you are feeling adventurous.

Each country has it's own particular types of cheese and the names vary. Here is a small selection of the more interesting UK produced ones.

1. Buffalo

   This is a fairly recent addition to the UK market. It was first produced in 1996 and has a mild flavor with a touch of almonds. It is hard and made with unpasteurized buffalo milk.

2. Cornish Pepper

   This is a rich, creamy cheese which is liberally sprinkled with cracked peppercorns. It takes about five weeks to make and is soft and moist in texture.

3. Exmoor Blue

   This blue cheese is made from ewe and goat's milk. It is strong tasting and suitable for vegetarians and compares well to other blue veined Stilton type cheeses.

4. Gospel Green

   This is a hard, Cheddar type cheese made from cow's milk. It is unpasteurized and has a slight aroma of apples.

5. Stinking Bishop

   This hard cheese is made from cow's milk. It is washed in an alcoholic drink called "Stinking Bishop" which is made from pears. It has a very strong, ripe flavor and smell.

6. Tymsboro

   This soft cheese is made from goat's milk. The natural rind is dusted with black ash and covered in a light, white mould. It has a light after taste of lemon.