Here at Heber Valley Cheese are proud of our flagship cheddar line: Snake Creek Cheddar.
Our customers, however, often ask what the difference is between Fresh, Medium, Sharp, and Extra Sharp. Are there different usages? How does aging change the flavor and texture?
What Does "Aging" Cheese Mean?
Once we make our cheese, it is stored in our "Cheese Cave", which is a specially controlled room with specific air and temperature qualities. As cheese sits, it's molecular structure changes. Protiens, Fats, and Lactose slowly break down, which contributes to the sharp taste and crystaline texture of aged cheese.
As a fun side-note, this breakdown of lactose means that people with lactose intolerancy can usually tolerate sharper cheeses!
Snake Creek Cheeses
Because aging cheddar changes its qualities so much, we like to offer our customers a range of ages with our Snake Creek Cheddar.
Snake Creek Fresh: This cheese is aged less than 6 months, delivering all the creaminess of our prized Holstein milk. This is the softest, silkiest of the Snake Creek line, and has a mild, clean, and all-natural taste. Snake Creek Fresh is a great melting cheese for grilled cheese sandwiches, soups, or fondue.
Snake Creek Medium: Aged for approximately 8-10 months, this cheese delivers the creaminess of a fresh cheese with developing hints of sharpness. Medium cheddar still delivers a creamy, melty cheese, but the flavor is a bit more forward. This is a great cheddar for loaded baked potatoes, cheddar dips, or a breakfast hash.
Snake Creek Sharp: Aged for 2 years, Our Holstein cheddar develops beautiful crystaline texture and tangy zip for the perfect combo if creaminess and bite. This is a great cheese for people who are venturing into sharp cheeses! It is perfect for cheese boards, for soups and chili, or for a flavorful addition to mac & cheese.
Snake Creek 6-year (Extra Sharp): An intensely sharp, crumbly cheddar bursting with deep umami, nutty complexity, and rich, lingering tang developed through extended aging. Think parmesan cheese when using this aged cheddar: grate over soup or salads, use in risotto, or cook with roasted vegetables.
Snake Creek 10-year: Our sharpest, longest aged cheddar. This is an extremely crumbly, crystaline cheese with long lasting citrus notes. Because of its intense bite, a little goes a long way in scrambled eggs, roasted potato dishes, and shaved over hot dishes.
Snake Creek Cheat Sheet
If that's a lot, all you need to remember is this:
Want something melty? → Fresh or Medium
Want balance? → Sharp
Want bold flavor? → 6-year Extra Sharp
Want something special? → 10-Year
Heber Valley Cheese
The best aged cheese takes patience, time, and the finest ingredients.
We are proud to say that our cheese begins and ends with us. From our cows' feed, to our robotic milking system, to the cheese plant 100 yards from the farm, and into our cheese cave... We ensure our cheese is the very best it can be by the time it hits your table.
Because the best things take time!
-Heber Valley Cheese
