Guest Author - Karyn Johnson

I'll admit it, cheese is one of my favorite foods. Since I currently live in Germany near the Dutch border, a region that produces some of the world's best cheeses, I've become rather snobby about cheese. British cheese, however, is also incredible, and would rank right up there (in my opinion) with the Goudas, Edams, and Münsters of the world. There is crumbly Stilton (delicious with fruit in it), Red Leicester, Lancashire, Wensleydale, Gloucester, and, of course, Cheddar…the list goes on and on. Here's a cheese primer (these are only a few of the many varieties of cheese that England produces):

Cheddar - This is the original, originating from the Somerset town of Cheddar. The flavors of this cheese can vary from mild to sharp, and can be pale to yellow in color. It is made from cow's milk and it one of England's oldest cheeses.

Cheshire - A semi-hard crumbly cow's milk cheese that can be white, red, or blue-veined. This is also one of England's oldest cheeses, produced since the 12th century. It has a rich, slightly salty flavor.

Devon Blue - An unpasteurized, semi-hard, cow's milk cheese suitable for vegetarians.

Double Gloucester - An unpasteurized, semi-hard orange cow's milk cheese with a rich, buttery taste.

Lancashire - A buttery, mild, pale cow's milk cheese. Younger Lancashire is crumbly. As it matures, it hardens and takes on a sharper flavor.

Leicester (Red Leicester) - A hard, cow's milk cheese with a reddish rind, grainy texture, and mild flavor. It is made in a similar fashion to Cheddar.

Sage Derby - A semi-hard cheese with green veins, due to added sage. Once only available at Christmas, Sage Derby is now sold year-round. This cheese is also available without the sage. Called Derby, it has a buttery flavor and is similar to Cheddar.

Stilton - England's best loved blue cheese, Stilton is a crumbly, cow's milk cheese, good as a dessert cheese or crumbled over salads. Milder than Roquefort or Gorgonzola, Stilton can often be found combined with fruits. No English cheese plate can be without it. There is also a White Stilton, which is a mild, crumbly, hard cow's milk cheese.

Swaledale - A mixture of both sheep and cow's milk, Swaledale is creamy with a full flavored, earthy taste.

Wensleydale - A hard, cow's milk cheese with a mild honey flavor. Considered to be the perfect accompaniment to apple pie, but good with other fruits or ham.