Apple Smoked Cheddar Cheese | culture: the word on cheese
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Apple Smoked Cheddar

Producer
Carr Valley Cheese Company
Country
United States
Region
Wisconsin
Size
10 ins diameter, 4 ins high
Weight
12lb
Website
www.carrvalleycheese.com
Milk
Cow
Classification
Firm
Rennet
Vegetable
Rind
Flavored
Smoked
Paprika
Style
Cheddar-like
Flavor
Flavor added to rind
Smoked
Apple Smoked Cheddar Cheese

Located in the rolling hills of central Wisconsin, Carr Valley Cheese remains one of Wisconsin's most traditional cheese plants, famous for its Wisconsin cheddar varieties, as well as a host of more modern cheeses. Now owned and operated by Sid Cook, Carr Valley was founded in 1902, but the Cook family has been making cheese since 1883.  

Sid is a fourth generation cheesemaker. The first cheese plant that his father operated was in Irish Valley, where Sid worked with his father for several years before taking over the business in the mid 70's.  During this time Sid also learned how to make his own cultures from his father and grandfather. He and his brother made Wisconsin-style cheddar at that location for ten years, and Sid eventually purchased Carr Valley in 1986 and another cheesemaking facility in 1991, with a layout that would allow for more flexibility and the development of more styles of cheese.  

Carr Valley now sources cow's milk from 40 farms, all located within 20 miles of the plant, and each milking no more than 70 cows. Sheep's milk comes largely from one dairy and goat's milk from a group of eight farms in the Green Bay area. Carr Valley makes over 65 different cheeses.

Production of Apple Smoked cheddar begins with a traditional cheddar recipe. Finished, 12 lb. wheels are then smoked over applewood before being hand rubbed with paprika, which gives the cheeses their very distinct orange rind.

The interior paste of the cheese is ivory-white and has a supple, moist texture that is classically that of a Wisconsin cheddar. Flavors show the sweetness of the milk and are balanced by light smoke with the spicyness imparted by the paprika.

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