Chore Time Sharp Cheddar

The cheeses produced at Milky Way Meadows farm and dairy in Townville, Pennsylvania are known for being both incredibly flavorful and nutrient-rich - and "Chore Time Sharp Cheddar" is no exception.

The cow's milk used to produce these cheeses come from the family's 100% grassfed herd. Thanks to the farm's greenhouses and the hard work of their keepers, these cows eat grasses year-round - even when feet of lake-effect snow cover their pastures.

All of the cheeses produced at Milky Way Meadows are hand-made and aged for about a year, which allows them to ripen according to cheesemaker Adin Kuepfer's preferences. In the case of the current batch of "Chore Time" cheddar, aging lasted about 2 years!

While most of Milky Way Meadows' cheeses are named after celestial bodies like "Saturn Baby Swiss," "Earth Tomme," etc, their cheddar is not.

"Chore Time Sharp Cheddar" was named in acknowledgement of the countless hours of manual labor necessary to produce this hand-made cheese. (Remember friends, 'cheddaring' is a verb!)

The sharp flavor and consistency that result from the aging of "Chore Time Cheddar" make it a perfect cheese for savoring - be it with a dry red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah, an oaky Chardonnay, a strong ale, cider or otherwise.

Though this cheese is a great melter and goes well in egg dishes like omlettes and scrambles, and yes, I've used it in au gratin potatoes before, I generally feel too guilty to use "Chore Time" as a cooking cheese. To me, the firm, crumbly texture and piquant flavor of this aged cheddar is best enjoyed "straight up."

If selected for a cheese platter, be sure to include at least one softer, milder alternative for enjoying alongside this crunchy "Chore Time Sharp Cheddar."