Exploring the Richness of Mature Cheese

Mature cheese is something special. As cheese matures, it develops deep, full flavours and often becomes crumbly or firm, depending on the variety. The ageing process, often months or even years, turns mild cheeses into bold, rich treats that can lift any meal or snack.

At Cheese Shop Nantwich, we love helping people enjoy cheese in all its stages, but mature cheese holds a special place. That punch of flavour, the deep aroma, and the crumbly texture make it a treat for the senses.

From hard classics like mature Cheddar to unique varieties like Sage Derby or Gjetost, there’s a mature cheese to match everyone’s tastes. Pairing cheese well and serving it creatively can turn it into the heart of a cheeseboard or a meal. Let’s explore the joy of mature cheeses, flavour pairings, and ideas for serving.

What Makes a Cheese Mature?

Mature cheese is cheese that has aged longer than mild varieties. While a mild Cheddar may age for just a few months, a mature or extra mature cheese might rest for a year or more. Over time, the texture often becomes firmer and more crumbly, and the flavour grows sharper or even nuttier.

For example, Appleby’s Cheshire is a great mature cheese. It crumbles beautifully, with a slightly tangy and rich flavour. It’s aged to develop that famous Cheshire flavour balance of sour and salty.

Maturing isn’t about just leaving cheese to sit. During ageing, cheese is carefully stored at specific temperatures and humidity for the best results. The longer it matures, the more complex the flavour becomes.

Popular Mature Cheeses to Try

There’s a wide range of mature cheeses that are worth tasting at least once. Some of our favourites, and our customers’ favourites too, are from British producers. Here are a few mature cheeses to consider adding to your cheeseboard:

Appleby’s Cheshire

A raw milk cheese that’s crumbly and savoury, Appleby’s Cheshire is a traditional cloth-bound cheese that captures the earthy history of the Cheshire region. It’s perfect with spiced fruit chutneys or fresh cherry tomatoes.

Bournes Cloth-Bound Cheshire

For something deeper in flavour than Appleby’s, Bournes Cloth-Bound Cheshire delivers a rich, crumbly bite. It has a salty finish and pairs beautifully with pickled onions and oatcakes.

Bournes Wax-Bound Cheshire

The Wax-Bound version of Bournes Cheshire is sealed in wax to retain moisture and give a creamier texture, while still holding a mature taste. It’s especially delicious with apples or pears.

Crumbly Lancashire

Another crumbly gem, Crumbly Lancashire is mild when young but matures into a bolder cheese with a touch of lemony sharpness. Enjoy it with crusty bread and sweet chutney.

Burts Blue

Burts Blue is a blue cheese with a washed rind and creamy centre. Although it’s a little different from the usual mature hard cheeses, as it matures, its flavour becomes stronger, earthier, and a bit salty. Fine with walnuts and a drizzle of honey.

Cornish Yarg with Nettles

Wrapped in nettle leaves, Cornish Yarg is semi-hard and fresh-tasting when young, but it matures into a fuller, firmer cheese. Try this one with green apples and fresh grapes for full-on summer cheeseboard vibes.

Crabtree

Crabtree is a deep and creamy cheddar-style cheese. It’s aged until rich and almost caramelised in flavour. It works well with tangy pickles, or even in a toasty with sharp mustard.

Fowler’s Sage Derby

A visually stunning and aromatic cheese, Fowlers Sage Derby has added sage for a herby touch that becomes richer with age. Serve it next to roasted vegetables or in a sandwich with turkey and cranberry.

Gjetost

This Norwegian gem, Gjetost, is unlike any other. It’s sweet, with a fudgy texture that comes from being made with caramelised whey and goat’s milk. Slice it thinly and enjoy with dark rye bread or fresh figs.

Perfect Pairings for Mature Cheese

Pairing mature cheese with the right foods and drinks doesn’t need to be fancy. We’ve collected some tried-and-tested ideas to bring out their best.

Cheese and Charcuterie

Salty, aged meats like prosciutto, coppa or speck go wonderfully with mature cheese. Try matching a crumbly Lancashire with a sliver of Parma ham, or Burts Blue with a slice of smoky pancetta.

Fresh and Dried Fruit

Fruit helps balance saltiness or sharpness in mature cheese. Fresh green apples, pears, grapes, and figs are ideal, while dried apricots and medjool dates work well too. Try Cornish Yarg with figs or Appleby’s Cheshire with dried cranberries.

Crackers and Breads

Oatcakes, rustic sourdough, or rosemary-infused crackers pair well with mature cheese. A crusty white loaf helps highlight earthy flavours, while biscuits with small seeds or herbs add exciting texture.

Chutneys and Pickles

Pickled onions, red onion chutney, or even a classic Branston Pickle are excellent with hard-aged cheeses like cheddar, Cheshire, or Lancashire. Try the wax-bound Cheshire with plum chutney for a real treat.

Dark Chocolate

It might sound odd, but the richness of dark chocolate (above 70% cocoa) can bring out nutty notes in Gjetost or mature cheddar. Break both into pieces and eat them together; it’s surprisingly tasty.

Drinks

Try these classic drink matchups:

• Red wine: Full-flavoured reds like Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah work with tough, crumbly cheeses.
• White wine: Rich, buttery whites like Chardonnay suit cheddar or Cheshire.
• Beer: A tackle of ale and cheddar is hard to beat. IPAs punch through saltiness, while darker stouts sit nicely alongside blue cheese.
• Cider: Crisp and fizzy, a proper cider cuts through the creaminess in cheese.
• Port or sherry: Lovely with Burts Blue or any cheese board built for slow nibbling.

Fun Cheese Board Ideas

Mature cheese can be the lead or a supporting flavour on a cheeseboard. Here are a few themed board suggestions to try:

The British Classic

• Appleby’s Cheshire
• Crumbly Lancashire
• Fowler’s Sage Derby
• Pickled onions and chutney
• Buttered crackers and rustic bread

A Bit of Adventure

• Burts Blue
• Cornish Yarg with Nettles
• Gjetost
• Toasted walnuts
• Chunks of dark chocolate
• Fresh figs

Comfort Food Board

• Crabtree
• Bournes Wax-Bound Cheshire
• Slices of sourdough bread
• Apple chutney
• A few slices of pancetta or thick ham

Creative Ways to Serve Mature Cheese

Not all cheese needs to be part of a board. You can get creative with how you enjoy it:

• Grated on top of jacket potatoes or homemade chips
• Melted into pasta bakes or macaroni cheese
• Crumbled into a salad with walnuts and vinaigrette
• Used in toasties with mustard or spicy chutney
• Shredded over scrambled eggs and grilled until crisp

In our shop, we often talk to customers who like their cheese served simply. Just a slab of cheese, an apple, and a good beer is sometimes the best meal.

FAQs

What is the taste of mature cheese like?
It’s stronger, sharper and more intense than mild cheese. Some have nutty or earthy flavours. Others may be savoury or even a little sweet, like Gjetost.

Why is mature cheese crumbly?
During maturing, moisture leaves the cheese, and proteins and fats break down. It makes the texture firm and crumbly while boosting flavour.

Do mature cheeses always smell strong?
Some do have a noticeable aroma, especially blue or washed rind types. Others, like Cheshire, have a milder scent but a bold flavour.

Can you cook with mature cheese?
Yes, mature cheese melts well and adds bold flavour to grilled dishes, bakes, soups, and sauces.

How should I store mature cheese?
Keep it wrapped in waxed paper or cling film in the fridge’s vegetable drawer. Allow it to come to room temperature before serving to unlock full flavour.

Can children eat mature cheese?
Most can. Younger ones might prefer milder flavours, but older children often enjoy the tangy taste of crumbly cheeses.

How to Get the Best of Mature Cheese

We believe everyone should get a chance to savour mature cheeses in their best condition. At Cheese Shop Nantwich, we work with small dairies and experienced cheesemakers who care about flavour and quality.

You can explore our great collection of aged cheeses, like Appleby’s Cheshire, Bournes Cloth-Bound Cheshire, and Crumbly Lancashire, directly on our website at cheeseshopnantwich.co.uk. Whether you’re after a cheese for pairing or a full cheeseboard for a family night in, we’ve got something just right for you.

Try Something New Tonight

Mature cheese doesn’t have to wait for a special occasion. Open the fridge, slice off something rich and tasty, add a few crackers or apple slices, and take a break to enjoy real flavour.

Why not try a piece of Cornish Yarg with Nettles? Or see how Gjetost pairs with rye and chocolate?

There’s a lot to explore with mature cheeses. Visit Cheese Shop Nantwich today and find your next favourite bite.