Adel Yousef of Food International (centre) with Stephen and Diana Jones of Somerdale with a display of their company’s cheeses at Victoria Park New World in Auckland.
Cheese aficionados know and appreciate the distinctive sharp flavour of creamy British cheddar and enjoy so many of the other traditional cheeses produced in the UK. Discussions have been going on for years between Food International and Somerdale – the leading exporter of British specialty cheese.
The first shipment of their British cheese from Somerdale was received by Food International about a year ago. Their CEO, Stephen Jones and his daughter, Diana (who is based in Sydney managing their Australian operation) made a flying visit to Auckland recently to discuss further co-operation.
As a result, the range on sale through Food International has expanded now and the assortment will include:
- Barber’s 1833 Farmhouse Cheddar made in Somerset, England, 13 miles from the village of Cheddar itself and protected under the PDO certification. This two-year old Vintage Reserve 1833 Cheddar is a creamy cheese with a distinct bite and smooth finish. The Barber family have been making Cheddar since 1833, which makes them the oldest cheese making family in England and one of the oldest Cheddar producers in the world
- Il Truffelino has been developed exclusively for Somerdale and combines the creamy texture of Classic English Cheddar with the complex and luxuriant flavour of Black Summer Truffles.
- Somerdale Wensleydale and Cranberries is a true classic combining the creamy, open texture and natural sweet acidity of Wensleydale with sweet, juicy, plump cranberries.
- Westminster Cheddar – Sharp and Vintage – both are great examples of cheeses made by some of the most respected Cheddar making families in the world. And these families have been perfecting their craft over a period spanning six generations..
- Westminster Cheddar – Rustic Red is made like other cheddars but with the addition of annatto and helveticus culture. The annatto gives it the beautiful vibrant colour, while the helveticus cultures give sweet nutty tones.
And because the packaging of these cheeses emphasizes their British heritage, Food International is presenting the range in their authentic British style.
These Somerdale cheeses are available at some branches of Farro Fresh and selected lines are sold through New World and Pak’N Save.