This raw cow’s milk farmhouse cheddar, made using animal rennet and aged for 14 months, impressed judges during an intense evaluation at the Pavilhão Multiusos de Viseu in Portugal on Friday, November 15.
Tom Burgess, who has been producing cheese in West Wicklow for over 20 years, explained what makes Coolattin Cheddar unique:
“The milk we use is special for several reasons. We process it in summer when the cows graze on fresh, clover-rich pastures, the perfect diet for cheese-making milk. We also use early morning milk, which is high in melatonin, promoting relaxation and sleep. The milk is pumped directly to the cheese vat, unpasteurized and unstored, preserving its natural goodness and flavour through our traditional methods.”
Burgess described the process: “We add beneficial lactobacilli and rennet, then cut, scald, drain, and pitch the curd. It’s milled, salted, and mixed by hand before being placed in 40-pound molds and pressed for two days. The cheese is matured for over a year at 10°C.”
This year’s competition saw 4,786 cheeses from 47 countries, with entries evaluated by 240 judges from 39 nations. The cheeses were assessed on rind and paste appearance, aroma, texture, body, flavor, and mouthfeel, with the process conducted blind to ensure impartiality.
Judges included technologists, graders, buyers, chefs, producers, and other industry professionals.
Ireland also celebrated other successes, taking home two golds, six silvers, and six bronzes.
Organized by the Guild of Fine Food, the World Cheese Awards is the world’s largest cheese-only competition. The Guild worked with Portuguese authorities to allow small artisan cheesemakers to compete alongside larger producers.
John Farrand, managing director of the Guild of Fine Food, praised the event: “World Cheese has become a unique forum for showcasing excellence. It not only highlights exceptional cheeses but also fosters cross-border relationships and celebrates local culture and hospitality.”
This year marked the largest competition to date, with 1,032 companies participating globally.