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Irish Cheese
A Tip of the Hat to Ireland’s finest Farmhouse Cheese…
I realise I’ve missed the St.Patrick’s Day boat somewhat with this one but it is a post I’ve been meaning to write for some time. I really do love British cheese, we make some brilliant ones and I sometimes feel we don’t promote them as well as we could.
Cheese is very popular in the restaurant, cooked, or as a course on its own we sell a lot of it and I enjoy featuring cheese from small independant makers. I’ve chosen Ireland to begin with because it doesn’t get the recognition that the French and the English enjoy for their cheese which is a shame because they make some remarkable varieties.
There are some one hundred varieties of cheese made in over fifty farms across Ireland which, given the sie of the country is quite remarkable. Of these varieties there are probably half a dozen which are widely known and readily avaliable such as; St.Killian, Cooleeney, Knockanore, Cashel Blue, Crozier Blue, Durrus and Ardrahan.
Many of them have individual characteristics and often an inspiring story about the constant struggle these independant cheese makers have in surviving everything that is thrown at them. Many of the raw-milk, washed rind varieties were put under the spotlight as concerns over listeria increased and food scares became more publicised. This prompted cheese makers to take a less sceptical view of using pasteurised milk at the risk of losing some of the taste on the one hand whilst securing the longevity of their business and food safety on the other.
The Irish do make some excellent cheese, ones which are well worth looking at as an alternative, there are some delicious goats cheese such as St Tola which is great as a starter or go for some of that Cooleeney as a replacement for the more traditional French or English brie’s.
Miles
“I feel we don’t promote them”.
You are right, I have never seen english cheeses on my travels abroad. Yet, one hears foreign people comment well on them when visiting here.
Isn’t it the same with a number of things though? The Brits are good at inventing but not marketing - except pop music.
Elsie
March 20, 2008 @ 11:56 am
Elsie,
I’ve had this thought…. now gird yourself woman! Do you think, in an effort to promote British cheese, we should don the old dairy maid outfits and mingle with Miles guests? We must practise our sideways entrance into a room while carrying our milk pails across the shoulders
Cid
March 20, 2008 @ 5:17 pm
Elsie,
We are far too conservative for our own good, the French, Spanish and Italians would be shouting from the rooftops if it had been made by them. A shame really.
Miles
March 20, 2008 @ 5:25 pm
Miles,
I’ve never come across Irish cheese so none of the names were familiar to me. There should be a counter at every supermarket in this country promoting British cheese… told you already about the Lincolnshire honey, why not cheese?
I must away to make the annual Simnel cake with my favourite Anthon Berg marzipan. Not only that, it’s time for the dusting off of the Easter tree, a spectacular curly hazel hung with eggs and chicks. I first saw these in Germany and Holland and knew I had to have one.
Cid
March 20, 2008 @ 5:28 pm
Cid and Elsie,
You are both well-traveled women, and now you have an opportunity to turn your travel miles into business travel miles. Here in the U.S. that equates with a nice tax deduction. Don the milk maid costumes while on your next trip out of the country, and carry around a tray filled with pices of English cheese, and some crackers. Walk about in a town’s main square, and hawk the cheese for all you are worth. Upon your return to England, contact the cheese makers and demand a cut of the profits when their sales to foreign markets fly through the roof. Continue the milkmaid schtick until arrested. Once in the nick, you can sell the cheese to the inmates via a “black market” system. Again, demand a cut of the profits, or the services of a good lawyer to spring from the dungeon.
Cool idea, huh?
March 20, 2008 @ 5:53 pm
Annie,
I am drawn to your notion of marketing the British cheeses in the States and we girls will look stunning in our gear of course… however it’s a bit warmer where you live so the whole thing could turn into an impromptu fondu
…. try saying that after a few gins! Who will bail us out after the arrest that’s the question… will two eccentrics be missed amongst the masses?
Cool idea though…. keep ‘em coming Annie, all suggestions carefully considered!
Cid
March 20, 2008 @ 7:59 pm
Cid,
Brilliant idea - we start with Miles’ fine establishment. I fancy to wear my Easter Bonnet though. I suggest some slogans like:
“Try these cheeses - the best of yields
From Britains richest and greenest fields”;
“Why eat Swiss cheese?
There are no holes in ours”!
If we are to include Irish cheese, we should practice our River Dance.
My Easter trees are up - needed something to brighten the day!
Elsie
March 20, 2008 @ 9:19 pm
Annie,
I agree with Cid. Your suggested course of action merits further thought. With our milk churns we could be the fasted milk carts in the West
Elsie
March 20, 2008 @ 9:22 pm
Cid,
Re Simnel cake, funny you should mention that…..
March 20, 2008 @ 10:30 pm
Elsie,
River Dance…. I fear that too much ‘jiggling’ about might be inadvisable in our vintage outfits and could cause many a rapid heart beat in the ranks of elderly gentlemen
I think it was Annie who used the term ‘crackers’… that’ll be us then!
Here’s to a joyous Easter weekend, snow shoes at the ready…
Cid
March 20, 2008 @ 11:41 pm