# Scottish vs Irish vs English Cheddar **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 7, 2006, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scottish-vs-irish-vs-english-cheddar/379391 "2006-11-07T04:16:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scottish-vs-irish-vs-english-cheddar/379391/1 "2006-11-07T04:16:57Z")
The local supermarkets and convenience stores here stock several different kinds of cheddar cheese. However, they will almost invariably have cheeses labelled “Irish Cheddar Cheese”, “Scottish Cheddar Cheese”, and plain old “Cheddar Cheese” which is made in England. (Naturally, each type also has subvarieties, such as “sharp” or “mild”.) I haven’t yet been able to figure out what the difference is between Irish, Scottish, and English cheddar cheese. They taste pretty much the same to me, though admittedly I haven’t done any extensive testing. (I don’t eat cheese often enough to justify buying three packs at once.) Can someone please enlighten me? ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scottish-vs-irish-vs-english-cheddar/379391/2 "2006-11-07T05:38:02Z")
Cheddar? Not much call for it 'round here, squire. Perhaps you’d like some Venezuelan Beaver Cheese…? ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scottish-vs-irish-vs-english-cheddar/379391/3 "2006-11-07T07:35:50Z")
The variation between different brands will be as significant as that between the different countries. It’s just easy marketing, to make them sound more interesting. Cows don’t care which side of Offa’s Dyke their grass is. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scottish-vs-irish-vs-english-cheddar/379391/4 "2006-11-07T12:27:16Z")
[QUOTE=GorillaMan] The variation between different brands will be as significant as that between the different countries. It’s just easy marketing, to make them sound more interesting. Cows don’t care which side of Offa’s Dyke their grass is. [/QUOTE] Easy marketing? Why, if that were the case, a new cheddar cheese would emphasise something silly like ‘bilingual packaging’! 😃 ‘One of the leading UK milk co-operatives, Dairy Farmers of Great Britain, has announced it is to launch a new line of Cadog branded Welsh cheddar cheese, supported by a line of bilingual packaging.’ Oh. :rolleyes: Wonder why they do it? ‘Analysts estimate that by 2007 the UK cheese market will be worth £1.8bn’. Oh. > **[Food Ingredients & Food Science - Additives, Flavours, Starch](https://www.foodnavigator.com/)** > > Daily news on food ingredients, flavours, starch and food additives. Free access to news on food science in Europe. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scottish-vs-irish-vs-english-cheddar/379391/5 "2006-11-07T12:33:54Z")
[QUOTE=GorillaMan] The variation between different brands will be as significant as that between the different countries. It’s just easy marketing, to make them sound more interesting. Cows don’t care which side of Offa’s Dyke their grass is. [/QUOTE] Irish milk does seem to be richer in flavour. I’m sure you’ve noticed that Irish Cadbury’s chocolate has a very different taste from English. The cows are fed more grass than their UK equivalents, IIRC. That said, Irish cheddar is milder and distinctly less sharp than its English conterpart. Don’t know anything about Scottish cheese at all. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scottish-vs-irish-vs-english-cheddar/379391/6 "2006-11-07T12:53:44Z")
Kerrygold = yummers. Anything just as good but less expensive? ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scottish-vs-irish-vs-english-cheddar/379391/7 "2006-11-07T13:21:50Z")
[QUOTE=Beware of Doug] Kerrygold = yummers. Anything just as good but less expensive? [/QUOTE] Try Pilgrims Choice **EXTRA** matured ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scottish-vs-irish-vs-english-cheddar/379391/8 "2006-11-07T18:43:11Z")
[QUOTE=jjimm] Irish milk does seem to be richer in flavour. I’m sure you’ve noticed that Irish Cadbury’s chocolate has a very different taste from English. [/QUOTE] The difference in the chocolate doesn’t necessarily come from different milk, but from a different recipe (you ever tasted American Cadbury’s? Yeuuuugh) ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scottish-vs-irish-vs-english-cheddar/379391/9 "2006-11-07T19:23:27Z")
[QUOTE=GorillaMan] you ever tasted American Cadbury’s? Yeuuuugh [/QUOTE] Still, it is lightyears ahead of Hersheys. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scottish-vs-irish-vs-english-cheddar/379391/10 "2006-11-07T19:42:54Z")
[QUOTE=GorillaMan] The difference in the chocolate doesn’t necessarily come from different milk, but from a different recipe (you ever tasted American Cadbury’s? Yeuuuugh) [/QUOTE] I have no written cite here, but my missus did a tour of the Cadbury’s factory in Coolock, Dublin, and that’s what she says they told her. This is also why all Flake bars in Europe are made in Dublin, because the milk gives the chocolate the correct texture. I agree about American Cadbury’s, shudder at Hershey’s, but also note Australian Cadbury’s is different again (but not bad), as it’s made to melt at higher temperatures. My wife is my cite. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scottish-vs-irish-vs-english-cheddar/379391/11 "2006-11-07T20:05:48Z")
[QUOTE=Elendil’s Heir] Cheddar? Not much call for it 'round here, squire. Perhaps you’d like some Venezuelan Beaver Cheese…? [/QUOTE] Not much call for it? It’s the single most popular cheese in the country! ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scottish-vs-irish-vs-english-cheddar/379391/12 "2006-11-07T20:20:53Z")
[QUOTE=Beware of Doug] Kerrygold = yummers. Anything just as good but less expensive? [/QUOTE] I’ve had their butter and their oddly named Irish Swiss but I didn’t know they made cheddar…might just have to find that. ---
**Author:** ![Rayne\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df705f/32.png) [@Rayne\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rayne_Man)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scottish-vs-irish-vs-english-cheddar/379391/13 "2006-11-07T21:01:56Z")
[QUOTE=Malacandra] Not much call for it? It’s the single most popular cheese in the country! [/QUOTE] So you haven’t seen the Monty Python Cheese Shop sketch then ? ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scottish-vs-irish-vs-english-cheddar/379391/14 "2006-11-07T21:06:25Z")
[QUOTE=Rayne Man] So you haven’t seen the Monty Python Cheese Shop sketch then ? [/QUOTE] I don’t know whether he’s seen it, but he’s definitely quoting it. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scottish-vs-irish-vs-english-cheddar/379391/15 "2006-11-07T22:31:25Z")
[QUOTE=Rayne Man] So you haven’t seen the Monty Python Cheese Shop sketch then ? [/QUOTE] Yes he has! No he hasn’t! _Yes he has!!_ ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scottish-vs-irish-vs-english-cheddar/379391/16 "2006-11-09T17:05:35Z")
Wensleydale? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scottish-vs-irish-vs-english-cheddar/379391/17 "2006-11-09T18:04:52Z")
[QUOTE=adam yax] Still, it is lightyears ahead of Hersheys. [/QUOTE] But lightyears behind See’s. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scottish-vs-irish-vs-english-cheddar/379391/18 "2006-11-09T20:20:40Z")
[QUOTE=jjimm] I don’t know whether he’s seen it, but he’s definitely quoting it. [/QUOTE] More or less. This is a shocking confession to make, I know, but I don’t have it down verbatim. :eek: I’ll slink away and hang my head in shame now. > [@Elendil's Heir](#): > > Wensleydale? _brightens up_ Yes? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![si\_blakely](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@si\_blakely](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/si_blakely)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scottish-vs-irish-vs-english-cheddar/379391/19 "2006-11-09T20:50:27Z")
It actually surprises me that Cheddar (the region in England) has not tried to gain a protected appellation status for the name _Cheddar cheese_. I mean, if Champagne can only come from the Champagne region, and all other champagne style wines have to be labeled “Sparkling White Wine - method traditionale” (or some such nonsense) and Roquefort cheese can only come from Roquefort, and Parma ham only from Parma, - even (for goodness sake) Melton Mowbray pork pies why not Cheddar cheese. Stop all this Irish Cheddar or Scottish Cheddar malarkey. _Marginally tasty Irish firm yellow cheese matured in a cold faux limestone cave_ indeed. Truth in advertising 😃 Si ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scottish-vs-irish-vs-english-cheddar/379391/20 "2006-11-09T20:52:27Z")
[QUOTE=si\_blakely] It actually surprises me that Cheddar (the region in England) has not tried to gain a protected appellation status for the name _Cheddar cheese_. [/quote] It has tried, and was refused, on the grounds that it has become diluted into a generic term. Stilton, on the other hand, was successful. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scottish-vs-irish-vs-english-cheddar/379391.md?page=2)