Wookey Hole Cave Aged Farmhouse Cheddar - Ford Farm, Dorset

Ford Farm has revived the ancient practice of maturing cheese in caves, creating a wonderful strong, earthy cheddar in the process. Young cheeses are wrapped in cloth and taken deep into the nearby Wookey Hole caves, where the constant temperature and humidity provides the perfect maturing conditions. As it ages it takes on some of the flavour and atmosphere of the caves, which gives it that delicious moist earthiness. This terrific cheddar was declared Supreme Campion at the 2011 International Cheese Awards.

What with? Just a little of this strong cheese adds a real zing to a macaroni cheese or jacket potato. It’s also brilliant on crusty bread with a splodge of Farmhouse Pickle and a glass or two of Rinascita from Tuscany.