The History of Cheddar Cheese

Cheddar cheese dates back to the 12th century in England. According to legend, a milkmaid left out a pair of milk and returned to discover a pail full of cheddar, but this is likely just a story. However, we do know that cheddar cheese was likely created in the village of Cheddar in Somerset, England during the 12th century. After English nobles learned of the new cheese, it quickly became popular among the aristocracy. In fact, King Henry II bought over 10,000 pounds of cheddar in 1107 and pronounced it to be the best cheese in Britain. His son, Prince John, was also a fan and frequently served cheddar cheese during royal events. Eventually, cheddar cheese made its way to other parts of the world, including the United States. Wondering why some cheddar is orange and some is white? The color comes from a dye called annatto. In the United States, cheddar cheese made in New England is typically white, while cheddar made in the Midwest typically has annatto added. This was originally done to distinguish the two types. Today, cheddar is one of the most popular varieties of cheese in the world and is particularly popular in America.