Cheese 101

The cheese library.
Explained properly.

Twenty years behind the counter, three books, twelve years judging at the World Cheese Awards. Here's what I actually think about the cheeses worth eating.

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01
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Gorgonzola DOP

Lombardy & Piedmont, Italy — Cow's Milk — Blue

The Story

Fresh pearsChestnut honeyWalnutsMoscato d'AstiRisottoCrusty sourdough

The only blue that works as well on a cheeseboard as it does melted into pasta at midnight.

02
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Brie de Meaux

Seine-et-Marne, France — Raw Cow's Milk — Soft

The Story

ChampagneGrapesBaguetteCornichonsFig jam

If someone tells you they don't like Brie, they haven't had Brie de Meaux at the right temperature, at the right moment of ripeness.

03
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Appleby's Cheshire

Cheshire, England — Raw Cow's Milk — Hard

The Story

Crusty bread Proper pickles Cox's apples Pale ale Celery Chutney

This is Britain's oldest cheese made exactly the way it should be.

04
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Sparkenhoe Red Leicester

Leicestershire, England — Raw Cow's Milk — Hard

The Story

Malty aleCox's appleOatcakesPickled walnutsMac & cheese

If this cheese doesn't change your mind about Red Leicester nothing will.

05
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Ossau-Iraty

Basque Country & Béarn, France — Raw Sheep's Milk — Hard

The Story

Truffle honeyTxakoli white wineMembrilloMarcona almondsSerrano hamDry cider

The sheep's milk cheese that converts everyone who tries it.

06
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Emmental Switzerland

Canton of Bern, Switzerland — Raw Cow's Milk — Hard

The Story

RieslingHoney & walnutsRye breadCharcuterieCornichonsFondueGrüner Veltliner

Find a properly aged Swiss Emmental AOP and eat it with good rye bread and a glass of Riesling.

07
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Corwydd Caerphilly

Wales — Cow's Milk — Hard

The Story

Welsh cakesLeek chutneyCrusty breadWelsh aleApplesCelery

Wales's greatest cheese served the way it deserves — with a warm Welsh cake and something cold to drink.

08
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Colston Bassett Stilton

Nottinghamshire, England — Pasteurised Cow's Milk — Blue

The Story

Chocolate digestive Port Pears Walnuts Honey Oatcakes Sauternes

The only Stilton we sell at Cheeses of Muswell Hill.

09
🇳🇴

Jarlsberg

Norway — Pasteurised Cow's Milk — Semi-Hard

The Story

Naturally lactose free23g protein per 100g825mg calcium per 100gHighest vitamin K2 of any cheeseSupports bone healthCardiovascular benefits
Rye bread & butterSauvignon BlancSmoked salmonAmber aleHoney mustard

The cheese that is genuinely good for your bones, your heart, and your lunch.

10
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Baron Bigod

Suffolk, England — Raw Cow's Milk — Soft

The Story

SourdoughChampagneFresh figsHoneyChardonnayWalnutsTruffle honey

Our best seller for a reason.

11
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Trüffelperle

Canton of St Gallen, Switzerland — Cow's Milk — Semi-Hard

The Story

BaroloHoneyWalnut breadProsciuttoAged ChampagneFig jam

One of the hardest cheeses to find in the UK and one of the most rewarding when you do.

12
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Picos Blue

Asturias, Northern Spain — Raw Mixed Milk — Blue

The Story

Pedro Ximénez sherryMembrilloDark chocolateWalnutsHoneyCrusty bread

The blue cheese for people who think they've already tried the strongest blue.

13
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Rollright

Gloucestershire, England — Organic Cow's Milk — Soft

The Story

Fudge Peter's Yard crackers Charcuterie Sparkling wine Pickles Honey Sourdough

The best British soft cheese you can buy right now.

14
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Winslade

Hampshire, England — Pasteurised Cow's Milk — Soft

The Story

Baked whole in its boxCrusty sourdoughChardonnayGarlic & rosemaryCornichonsHoney

Bake it whole in its box with a splash of white wine and some garlic.

15
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Black Sticks Blue

Lancashire, England — Pasteurised Cow's Milk — Blue

The Story

PearsRunny honeyOatcakesPale aleFigsWalnut breadDried apricots

The gateway blue for people who think they don't like blue cheese.

16
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Tête de Moine

Jura, Switzerland — Raw Cow's Milk — Hard

The Story

Alsatian RieslingDried apricotsWalnut breadHoneyCured meatsPinot Noir

Get a girolle.

17
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Minger

Tain, Scottish Highlands — Pasteurised Cow's Milk — Washed Rind

The Story

Dry farmhouse ciderScottish aleOatcakesSourdoughPickled walnutsCaramelised onion chutney

The most Scottish cheese in existence.

18
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Tomme de Normandie

Calvados, Normandy, France — Cow's Milk — Semi-Hard

The Story

Calvados Norman cider Crusty baguette Apple chutney Charcuterie Cornichons Muscadet

A brilliant cheeseboard cheese from a producer I work with directly.

19
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Brie with Truffles

France — Cow's Milk — Soft

The Story

A spoonChampagneAged BurgundySilence

Maison de la Truffe.

20
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Yarlington

Gloucestershire, England — Pasteurised Cow's Milk — Washed Rind

The Story

Tom Oliver's ciderCrusty sourdoughWalnut breadApple chutneyCornichons

If you love Reblochon or washed rind cheeses, Yarlington is your next move.

21
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Montgomery's Cheddar

Somerset, England — Raw Cow's Milk — Hard

Cox's appleProper chutneyPale aleOatcakesCornichons

The benchmark British cheddar.

22
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Camembert de Normandie

Normandy, France — Raw Cow's Milk — Soft

Norman ciderCrusty baguetteApple slicesCalvadosCornichons

Not the supermarket version.

23
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Comté

Franche-Comté, France — Raw Cow's Milk — Hard

Walnuts Vin Jaune Honey Charcuterie Grapes Aged Burgundy

Ask for the age before you buy.

24
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Gruyère

Canton of Fribourg, Switzerland — Raw Cow's Milk — Hard

PicklesRieslingFondueCharcuterieRye bread

The 2025 World Cheese Awards champion for good reason.

25
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Manchego

La Mancha, Spain — Sheep's Milk — Hard

MembrilloMarcona almondsRiojaSerrano hamHoney

Always ask for raw milk Manchego.

26
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Parmigiano-Reggiano

Emilia-Romagna, Italy — Raw Cow's Milk — Hard

Aged balsamicBaroloHoneyWalnutsProsecco

Don't grate it.

27
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Époisses

Burgundy, France — Pasteurised Cow's Milk — Washed Rind

Marc de BourgogneSauternesCrusty breadGewürztraminerHoney

The most luxurious texture in the washed rind world.

28
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Roquefort

Aveyron, France — Raw Sheep's Milk — Blue

HoneySauternesWalnutsPearsPortDark chocolate

Always room temperature, always with honey, always Sauternes if you can.

29
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Taleggio

Lombardy, Italy — Pasteurised Cow's Milk — Washed Rind

PearHoneyPinot GrigioRisottoPolentaRocket salad

The most approachable washed rind in the world.

30
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Raclette

Valais, Switzerland — Raw Cow's Milk — Semi-Hard

CornichonsCharcuterieNew potatoesFendant white winePickled onions

Hot melted cheese, cold cornichons, waxy potatoes.

More coming weekly.

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