Description
Oxford Isis Baby Cheese
About Oxford Isis Baby
Oxford Isis Baby gives you all the wonderfully aromatic character of Oxford Isis, just in a smaller package.
It’s a soft, washed-rind cheese with a distinctive orange-yellow rind and a creamy centre that becomes increasingly soft and gooey as it ripens. Like its bigger sibling, the rind is washed in mead during maturation, helping to create those wonderfully savoury aromas and flavours.
The main difference is simply the size.
Oxford Isis Baby is perfect when you want a whole washed-rind cheese on your cheeseboard but don’t necessarily want quite so much of it. Although once you’ve started eating it, you may question that decision.
Small Cheese, Big Aroma
Don’t be fooled by the word Baby.
This little cheese can still make its presence known when you open the box.
During maturation, the rind is washed with mead, an alcoholic drink made by fermenting honey and water. The washing encourages the development of the characteristic orange, slightly sticky rind associated with this style of cheese.
And with that rind comes the smell.
Washed-rind cheeses are famous for having aromas that can be considerably more powerful than their flavour, and Oxford Isis Baby is no exception. Underneath that funky exterior is a much gentler cheese than you might expect.
So don’t judge it until you’ve tasted it.
What’s in a Name?
Oxford Isis takes its name from the River Thames, which is traditionally known as the Isis as it flows through Oxford.
The Baby version keeps exactly the same Oxford identity and mead-washed character, simply presented in a smaller format.
And sometimes a little cheese is exactly what your cheeseboard needs.
Oxford Isis – Jen’s Tasting Notes
The first thing you’ll notice is the rind: orange-yellow, sometimes slightly sticky and definitely aromatic.
Then you cut into it.
Inside, Oxford Isis Baby is soft and creamy, becoming wonderfully gooey as it ripens and comes up to room temperature. The flavour is much gentler than the smell suggests, starting with a little sweetness and fruitiness before those deeper savoury flavours appear.
I get lovely brothy, umami notes, particularly as you get closer to the rind, and they linger beautifully after you’ve finished eating.
For me, that’s the fun of this cheese. Your nose tells you to expect something enormous and your taste buds discover something much more approachable.
Never judge a cheese by its smell.
How to Serve and Pair Oxford Isis
- 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. This little cheese is so much better when the centre has had time to soften.
- Classic pairing: A good bitter or amber ale works beautifully. The malty flavours sit nicely alongside the savoury rind while the freshness helps balance the creamy cheese.
- Something a little different: Try it with a dry mead. Since mead plays a part in creating that distinctive rind, it seems only fair to give it a place in the glass too.
- On the plate: Keep things fresh and crunchy. I like sourdough crackers with celery, peppers or carrots alongside it.
- In the kitchen: You could certainly cook with it, but the smaller size makes Oxford Isis Baby perfect for serving whole. I’d put it straight onto the cheeseboard and let everyone tuck in.
Jen’s note: Oxford Isis Baby may be smaller than the original, but there’s nothing particularly babyish about the aroma! It’s a great choice when you want a whole washed-rind cheese on your cheeseboard without committing to the larger version.
Buying Oxford Isis
- Brand or Producer: The Oxford Cheese Company
- Product name: Oxford Isis Baby
- Milk: Cow
- Country: England
- Region: Oxfordshire
- Strength: Medium
- Vegetarian: No
- Suitable for pregnancy: No
- Allergens: MILK
Sizes and Prices
- Sold as a whole cheese (approx. 200g), £11.00
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, cultures, salt, rennet, mead (honey, yeast, water)
