Oh Canada, you produce such delicious cheese and Black River Cheese epitomizes this as one of our oldest farmer-owned dairy co-operatives with over 100 years of cheesemaking experience.
My cheese pick this week is Black River’s Maple Cheddar. The idea for Maple Cheddar was born in 2003 to coincide with the Prince Edward County festival “Maple in the County”. The Cheddar is aged 5-8 months, shredded, mixed with local Fosterholm Farms pure amber Maple Syrup and Maple Sugar, pressed into cheese hoops, cut into blocks and packaged.
It’s still an example of what good medium cheddar should be, yet has a surprise flavour twist. It has a nice, dense, smooth paste (not too dry, soft and still crumbly), milky aromas, clean slightly fruity taste, and is accented with true Canadian maple flavor without being overly sweet.
I’m always happy to celebrate my Canadian heritage with Maple Cheddar from Black River Cheese. To make it a truly Canadian culinary experience, pair with a local microbrew or cider.
FACTBOX:
Cheese: Maple Cheddar
Producer: Black River Cheese Company
Where To Buy: Il Negozio Nicastro’s (Bank St. between Third & Fourth Ave), The Piggy Market (Westboro), Thyme & Again Creative Catering, Herb & Spice Shop & Farm Boy
Interesting Fact: Black River Cheese have been producing cheese in The County since 1901, despite a fire that destroyed their facility in 2001.