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| A stone bridge in Somerset, England |
Apologies for the long lapse in updating this blog. Between the price of fancy cheese reaching startling heights, close to those of 2022, and life coming at me fast, I let my writing and, but for some mass-produced slices, my cheese consumption slide. It always takes an outside spark, a different and unique item, something intriguing catching my eye, to generate renewed interest and make me realize how much I miss reviewing cheese. A good and lively conversation with a kind cheese monger doesn’t hurt, either. What captured my attention this time was a cute little puck of English cheddar wrapped in purple wax and topped with an amusing label. Who could resist?
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| Bruton Beauty sits among other cheeses at Whole Foods |
Godminster Vintage Bruton Beauty hails from Somerset, a picturesque county in South West England, complete with stunning castles, rolling hills, and beautiful cottages. Godminster was founded by Richard Hollingbery in 1999 and has been creating award-winning organic cheeses ever since. While the company employs traditional cheese-making techniques with some recipes dating back 90 years, its focus is on adopting sustainable practices by sourcing milk from nearby British farms.
When I say that Godminster is concerned about sustainability, that’s putting it mildly. In fact, the company won the Boom award for best organic farm in 2021. Godminster has planted more than 25,000 broadleaf trees on its farm since its inception. According to the website, this has led to:
“a visible increase in the wildlife population. There are now 15 ponds encouraging bio-diversity and reeds that cleanse the ground water.”
Don't miss out on the cute video on their homepage.
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| Irresistible label |
The company's claim about this particular cheddar is the following:
"A mysterious, rarely spotted creature, the Bruton Beauty lives out of sight on the Godminster farm, and brings the gift of good luck to all those she passes. Our original cheddar and a firm favourite, the Vintage Bruton Beauty’s signature smoothness puts it firmly at the heart of the cheeseboard."
Right away, it's hard to resist the urge to dig into the Bruton Beauty round with a spoon, which probably wouldn't work very well on this semi-hard cheddar. Once the pretty, ivory-yellow cheese is exposed by removing the outer wax, though, temptation hits hard. It takes some restraint not to dig right in. The aroma conjures up images of a warm spring day -- bright sunshine, sweet hay, and flowers, however, the most potent scent is of butter, lovely, creamy butter. One big sniff makes the salivary glands spring into action.
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| Bruton Beauty is wrapped in purple wax |
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| Bruton Beauty has a beautiful interior |
If you're like me and can't hold back or wait to grab some crackers or bread and just have to sink your teeth into the inviting, firm but pliable and slightly sticky paste, go right ahead. The flavor stands just fine on its own. Don't you love it when you can see a trail of teeth marks after you bite into something? Mmmm
Despite its richness, this is an aged cheddar that's hard to stop eating once you start. It's mild with sharper, tangy after-notes and a subtle nuttiness that's difficult to describe. The first bite comes off as rather salty, but it's well-balanced overall. There’s a hint of fruitiness or sweetness that makes this product even more appealing. It’s buttery both in flavor and mouthfeel.
At room temperature, the texture is gritty at first due to cheese crystals but quickly becomes creamy, oh so very creamy and soft on the tongue. It melts in the mouth. Oddly, when it's heated, the Bruton Beauty releases a sharper flavor. Its texture is more oily than dry, but it seems to have the urge to crumble without the ability to do so. Still, it would work well cut into small bits and sprinkled on a green salad.
The Bruton Beauty is a very versatile cheese. It works well in baked dishes, and it’s fantastic melted on top of sautéed vegetables. While it is a vegetarian cheddar cheese, it also pairs well with Italian cold cuts and is a great addition to a burger. Its round shape makes slicing for this purpose ideal. Of course, this cheese would look fantastic on a cheese board with spring fruits, roasted almonds, black olives, and a sliced baguette on the side.
As far as beverages, this cheese pairs well with Pinot Blanc, Friulano, Zinfandel, a Syrah blend, or a tawny port. If you're more a beer fan, try the Bruton Beauty with a pilsner or a session IPA.
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| Bruton Beauty pairs well with a Zinfandel |
