With the fanfare surrounding the first birthday of Prince George, the son of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (also known as Prince William and Kate Middleton), it seems only natural that cheese would somehow be involved in a celebration connected to cheese-loving England. Westminster Cheddar has released an aged version of their Royal Addition Cheddar of in honor of his first birthday, crafted on a farm in Somerset, England.
The Royal Addition One-Year-Old Cheddar is made from the milk of grass-fed cows, giving the cheese a creamy flavor and yellow color. Just like the Prince, the cheese has been aged for one year. Stores such as Whole Foods and Shaw’s will be selling limited quantities of the celebration cheese, at $9.99 a pound.
If you find the royal part of this cheese a bit silly, you’re not alone. However, even skeptics have agreed that the flavor of the cheese speaks for itself. Whole Foods Specialty Team Leader Scott Niec says, “It’s not overly sharp, but it’s still kind of robust with a creamy, nutty flavor.”
According to cheesemonger Nora Singley at the Kitchn, the original smooth, dense cheese released for the birth of the Prince had a lot going for it, so we imagine the aged version is even better.
What’s most excellent is its finish. The flavors — pleasantly sour milk, a bright lactic-ness, and decidedly cheddary goodness — linger on the tongue for quite some time. This is no mild cheddar, nor should it be, considering the momentous birth it’s commemorating.
If you’re intrigued enough to go out and buy the Westminster William and Kate Royal Addition One Year-Old Cheddar, pair it with a cracker resembling an English biscuit. It will certainly elevate take your cheeseplate from humble to regal. For other cheeses to satisfy your cheddar cravings, we recommend an earthy clothbound cheddar or a complex aged cheddar.
Photo credit: image of Prince George and his parents courtesy of BBC News
Molly Farrar
Molly is a web editorial intern who hails from Virginia, also known as the place with some of best ham in the world, in her humble opinion. She has yet to meet a cheese she does not like. Other interests include drinking craft beer and running, sometimes at the same time.
