Description
Keen’s Cheddar Cheese
About Keen’s Cheddar Cheese
Keen’s Cheddar is, quite simply, an honest Cheddar. It’s made by the Keen family near Wincanton in Somerset, where they’ve been farming and making cheese since 1899. This is traditional farmhouse Cheddar, made with raw milk, clothbound and given plenty of time to develop its character.
The milk comes from the farm’s own herd and is used unpasteurised, allowing the character of the milk to come through in the finished cheese. And that milk doesn’t stay exactly the same throughout the year. What the cows are eating, the weather and the changing seasons can all make subtle differences to the cheese.
That variation is one of the things I love about farmhouse Cheddar. Keen’s isn’t designed to taste absolutely identical every single time you eat it. There will be little differences from batch to batch and season to season — and for me, that’s part of the joy of it.
Protected by PDO Tradition
Keen’s is one of a relatively small number of cheeses entitled to use the name West Country Farmhouse Cheddar PDO. To qualify, the cheese must be made in one of the four West Country counties of Somerset, Dorset, Devon or Cornwall, using milk from local herds and traditional Cheddar-making methods.
It connects Keen’s to the place where Cheddar began, but more importantly it helps preserve the traditional way these cheeses have been made for generations.
Clothbound and Slowly Matured
Once made, Keen’s Cheddar is wrapped in cloth rather than sealed in plastic. This allows the cheese to breathe as it matures and encourages the development of its traditional natural rind.
The cheese is then given around 14–15 months to mature. During that time the texture becomes firmer and more crumbly and the flavours become deeper and more complex. It takes considerably more looking after than producing a block Cheddar, but you can taste why that extra effort is worthwhile.
Keen’s Cheddar – Jen’s Tasting Notes
The first thing I notice with Keen’s Cheddar is how wonderfully balanced it is. This isn’t a Cheddar that needs to hit you over the head with strength. Instead, it starts with a lovely savoury creaminess and just a hint of sweetness, followed by a bright, slightly citrusy tang.
Give it a moment and there’s much more going on. I often find toasted hazelnuts, browned butter and a touch of caramel, alongside some wonderfully savoury, almost brothy flavours.
The texture is firm and slightly crumbly without being dry, and the flavour lingers beautifully after you’ve finished eating. It’s a really good reminder that great Cheddar doesn’t have to be all about strength — balance and complexity are far more interesting.
How to Serve and Pair Keen’s Cheddar
- Make sure you take it out of the fridge a good hour before you want to eat it so it can come up to room temperature.
- Classic pairing: You can’t get much more traditional than farmhouse Cheddar and a good English ale. A malty bitter works particularly well with the savoury, nutty flavours in the cheese.
- Something a little different: Try a dry cider. The acidity and fruit cut through the richness of the Cheddar beautifully — and being in Somerset, it feels like a very natural pairing.
- On the plate: Keep it simple. Good crusty bread, a few pickled onions and perhaps a spoonful of chutney. There’s a reason a proper ploughman’s lunch has stood the test of time.
- In the kitchen: Keen’s makes a fabulous cheese for cooking, although it almost seems a shame! Try it in Welsh rarebit, macaroni cheese or a really good toastie. Wherever you use it, you’ll actually be able to taste the cheese.
Jen’s note: Occasionally our traditional clothbound Cheddars develop a little blue streak inside. Don’t panic! It’s completely edible and simply part of the artisan nature of the cheese. Personally, I rather like finding one.
Buying Keen’s Cheddar
- Brand or Producer: Keen’s Cheddar
- Product name: Keen’s Cheddar
- Milk: Cow
- Country: England
- Region: Somerset
- Strength: Mature
- Vegetarian: No
- Suitable for pregnancy: Yes
- Allergens: MILK
Sizes and Prices
- 100g wedge, £2.50
- 500g wedge, £12.50
- Wheel (approx. 6kg), available to pre-order
Storage Advice
- Keep refrigerated
- Wrap in waxed paper or cling film
- Remove from the fridge before serving
- Consume within 10 to 14 days of opening
Delivery and Collection
- UK wide courier delivery
- Click and collect from our Pangbourne shop
- Free local delivery available for selected postcodes
Ingredients (Allergens are listed in capitals)
MILK, starter cultures, rennet, salt
