Love this! My son has lived in America with his American wife for 7 years now and was much mocked (in the nicest possible way) by her family for asking plaintively for ‘proper’ cheese when he first moved out. I have to say I agree with him! He can sometimes get a decent English Cheddar from Costco (of all places) but otherwise struggles!
Mind you, one of my ex-husband’s uni friends was from Brighton and thought Cheddar was the only kind of cheese! Sigh. As a proud Lancastrian, I adore crumbly Lancashire and Cheshire and can’t even get decent versions of those down South in the UK! I import them when I go up North, or ask visiting friends to bring them…
Costco can sometimes surprise, Claire. It is possible to get a good cheddar in Los Angeles - and certainly easier than it used to be - but you do have to know where to go. We have an excellent cheese shop near us where they rush to update me on the cheddar supplies as soon as I walk in. I think that Lancashire or Cheshire would be asking for the moon, however. Sigh back atcha. Glad you enjoyed the post anyway.
Of course, one might be tempted to re-enact the Monty P Cheese sketch. However, an American arguing about English pronunciation is a step to far. I'd mispronounce Arkansas and walk out.
Well at least it had cheese, unlike Monty Python's famous cheese shop.
Last time I was back in Blighty I discovered that even proper English Cheddar from the gorge now comes in varieties of maturity and/or strength so it may not be quite as simple to get the basic Cheddar
Well, that's a little alarming, Francis. However, I can't claim that my heart plummets like a stone at the notion of trying various strengths of cheddar, so I;ll take a strong heart and a hearty appetite with me when next I visit. Thanks for liking the post ...
I will never argue with you about what is a good solid British cheddar nor its correct pronunciation. How can a young woman from Vermont argue with a Brit, unless she had spent time in the UK. In this country Wisconsin is the true "cheese state," filled with cheese heads. I know, I spent a few years living there.
For the slightest reason, I was reminded of the Middle European chef in one of Ludwig Bemelmans' books who, when angry, would shout "Cheeses Grist!!!!" They would have been good final words as you left the shop.
The American obsession with making cheese so sharp it will bite you is probably a reaction to the appalling Velveeta, but their parallel obsession with making ale that is so hoppy it is undrinkable baffles me. Flee whenever you see the word "artisinal."
Well, I'll put in a word of defense for artisenal bread, M, because you can get some gorgeous stuff here these days. The locally made chocolate, on the other hand ...
I'm sure you can find some in your own quiet little backwater, Lorraine. When we're in Concord, we must take a trip to the cheese shop and check out the situation there.
Love this! My son has lived in America with his American wife for 7 years now and was much mocked (in the nicest possible way) by her family for asking plaintively for ‘proper’ cheese when he first moved out. I have to say I agree with him! He can sometimes get a decent English Cheddar from Costco (of all places) but otherwise struggles!
Mind you, one of my ex-husband’s uni friends was from Brighton and thought Cheddar was the only kind of cheese! Sigh. As a proud Lancastrian, I adore crumbly Lancashire and Cheshire and can’t even get decent versions of those down South in the UK! I import them when I go up North, or ask visiting friends to bring them…
Costco can sometimes surprise, Claire. It is possible to get a good cheddar in Los Angeles - and certainly easier than it used to be - but you do have to know where to go. We have an excellent cheese shop near us where they rush to update me on the cheddar supplies as soon as I walk in. I think that Lancashire or Cheshire would be asking for the moon, however. Sigh back atcha. Glad you enjoyed the post anyway.
Of course, one might be tempted to re-enact the Monty P Cheese sketch. However, an American arguing about English pronunciation is a step to far. I'd mispronounce Arkansas and walk out.
Oh, Bob, where were you when I needed you? I'm definitely pocketing this one to pull out next time. Thanks for liking the post ...
Well at least it had cheese, unlike Monty Python's famous cheese shop.
Last time I was back in Blighty I discovered that even proper English Cheddar from the gorge now comes in varieties of maturity and/or strength so it may not be quite as simple to get the basic Cheddar
Well, that's a little alarming, Francis. However, I can't claim that my heart plummets like a stone at the notion of trying various strengths of cheddar, so I;ll take a strong heart and a hearty appetite with me when next I visit. Thanks for liking the post ...
As always, a really delightful slice of life … and informative! ❤️🧀
I live to teach, Barbara! I'm glad you enjoyed it ...
I will never argue with you about what is a good solid British cheddar nor its correct pronunciation. How can a young woman from Vermont argue with a Brit, unless she had spent time in the UK. In this country Wisconsin is the true "cheese state," filled with cheese heads. I know, I spent a few years living there.
For the slightest reason, I was reminded of the Middle European chef in one of Ludwig Bemelmans' books who, when angry, would shout "Cheeses Grist!!!!" They would have been good final words as you left the shop.
The American obsession with making cheese so sharp it will bite you is probably a reaction to the appalling Velveeta, but their parallel obsession with making ale that is so hoppy it is undrinkable baffles me. Flee whenever you see the word "artisinal."
Well, I'll put in a word of defense for artisenal bread, M, because you can get some gorgeous stuff here these days. The locally made chocolate, on the other hand ...
Now I'm hankering for some English cheddar!
I'm sure you can find some in your own quiet little backwater, Lorraine. When we're in Concord, we must take a trip to the cheese shop and check out the situation there.