Cheddar (Lidl ‘Deluxe’ Vintage Somerset Crunchy)
Cheddar really is the workhorse of the cheese world. A family favourite for its versatility, solid value for money and pleasant middle-of-the-road taste. Another ace up its sleeve is the vast array of varieties in which this humble cheese can be found; with strengths ranging from mild to vintage, some smooth and others crumbly, some packed with herbs and others with fruits!
Personally, I have always been on the ethos that stronger is better when it comes to cheddar. Perhaps after years of consumption, the chemical buzz I get from cheese only gets going at the top of the maturity scale. I will always choose an extra mature or a vintage where I can. The vintage offering from Lidl is on the table today and boy does it deliver. It produced by Wyke Farm in Somerset who are the makers of a number of excellent cheeses on sale at Lidl. The packet proudly displays awards from the Grocer Food & Drink Awards and the World Cheese Awards which I agree are well deserved!
The cheese boasts a strength rating of 6 which draws no complaints from me. The cheese has a good crystallisation (which is often a good sign of the aging process) and a superb texture which is overall solid with a slight crumbly tendency. It carries the required punch for a strong cheddar without being overpowering.
This cheddar, like many, is a joy to eat on its own as well as making an excellent addition to plenty of dishes. The taste of the cheese holds its own in a sandwich or pizza and the versatility of cheddars at large make it an excellent addition the the fridge of any cheese-lover.
Possibly the real clincher for the cheese is the price. At just £1.99 for a 300g block, the price per 100g of just 66p makes it a bargain by anyone’s standards. Cheaper (and perfectly acceptable) cheddars are available at Lidl but at this low price you really can afford to treat yourself!
RATING – 9.0
MY RECOMMENDATION – Melt the cheese on a slice of bread under the grill until the cheese starts to bubble. Add a fried egg or spread a thin layer of Marmite on the bread for a punchy lunchtime treat!
NOTE – Sept 2021 – Recent batches of this have been a little disappointing. Hopefully it is a small blip rather than a permanent decline!
As of September 2022, there have been more disappointing batches than good so I have dropped the rating to 7.5
Consummate copious consumer of cheese. Lover of a good strong cheddar!
A firm favourite in our household. Although a strong cheddar it sets the taste buds tingling without leaving a bitter aftertaste. We love it on its own, naturally but grated over cauliflower and a yummy cougette and onion recipte is an absolutely winner.
This does look interesting. Can’t deny that’s a bargain price. Most standard “Vintage, Extra Special” decent supermarket cheddar is about £1 per 100g so this is a substantial reduction.
this is the best cheddar cheese i have tasted in my life time thank you so much lidi
Great to hear you enjoy it as much as I do!
Très belles félicitations!
the first Somerset Crunch cheese i purchased had the lovely crunch to it. I have munched my way through another 4 packs since but they didn’t have the ‘crunch’ to it like the 1st one. Although the cheese is still absolutely lovely, i miss the crunch!
Funny you should mention this but I have been thinking the very same! The batch I reviewed was amazing but I have not found one to match the quality since which is a real shame
One of my favourite mainstream cheddars. Apart from this I will very occasionally pursue a local deli for Keane’s unpasteurised cheddar. Completely different beast, you can put both on the same cheeseboard without attracting negative comments.