Description
Waterloo Mini Cheese
About Waterloo Mini
Waterloo Mini is the little sibling of our full-sized Waterloo cheese, made by our friends at Village Maid Cheese here in Berkshire.
At around 180g, it’s the same wonderful combination of rich Guernsey cow’s milk, snowy white rind and naturally golden paste — just in a rather lovely individual size.
And sometimes, small really is beautiful.
The Mini is perfect if you don’t need a large piece of cheese, but it’s also rather fabulous served whole on a cheeseboard. There’s something particularly satisfying about putting an entire little cheese on the table and letting everyone dive in.
Small Cheese, Big Waterloo
Although Waterloo Mini is made in the same style as its larger sibling, its smaller size changes the way it ripens.
There’s proportionally more rind to paste, so you get more of those savoury, mushroomy flavours from the outside alongside that wonderfully buttery Guernsey milk centre.
When they’re young, the middle can still be quite firm and chalky. As they ripen, the paste gradually softens from the rind inwards until it becomes beautifully creamy.
And because they’re small, you get the pleasure of cutting into a whole cheese rather than simply buying a wedge.
Pierre would probably point out that the French have been making small bloomy-rind cheeses for centuries.
But this one is from Berkshire, Pierre.
You’ll cope.
Waterloo – Jen’s Tasting Notes
For such a little cheese, Waterloo Mini packs in plenty of flavour.
The Guernsey milk gives the paste its beautiful golden colour and a rich, buttery sweetness. When young, the centre is firmer and the flavour is fresh and milky, but give it time and everything begins to soften.
At its best, the paste becomes silky and creamy, with gentle mushroomy and savoury flavours developing near the rind.
I particularly love the contrast between that soft white rind and the golden centre. Cut one in half when it’s perfectly ripe and it looks absolutely gorgeous.
How to Serve and Pair Waterloo
- Make sure you take it out of the fridge a good hour before you want to eat it. With a little cheese like this, that makes a huge difference.
- Classic pairings: A lightly oaked Chardonnay is lovely with the buttery richness of Waterloo Mini.
- Something a little different: English sparkling wine works brilliantly too. The bubbles and acidity cut through all that creamy Guernsey milk beautifully.
- On the plate: This is where the Mini really comes into its own. Put the whole cheese on a board with some good sourdough and let everyone help themselves.
- In the kitchen: You could cook with it. But it’s 180g of perfectly lovely little Waterloo. I’d eat it.
Jen’s note: I love the Mini because you get to put a whole cheese on the cheeseboard. It somehow feels much more extravagant than putting out a wedge, even though it’s only 180g. Pierre would probably say the French have understood this for centuries. Don’t tell him I agree with him.
Buying Waterloo
- Brand or Producer: Village Maid Dairy
- Product name: Waterloo
- Milk: Cow
- Country: England
- Region: Berkshire
- Strength: Medium
- Vegetarian: Yes
- Suitable for pregnancy: No
- Allergens: MILK
Sizes and Prices
- Whole cheese (approx. 180g), £7.50
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, vegetarian rennet
