What's going on with cheese?

[ilovebagpuss]

So sorry, to ask such a dull question but I can't take it anymore. Why is all cheddar suddenly disgusting slimy blocks of plastic cheese? OK I'm not talking M&S but Sainsburys, Aldi and Lidl "extra mature" is all disgusting.
I've spent about 3/4 quid on a block and it's too foul to eat. It's not off or mouldy its just non tasting rubber.
Can anyone explain why this is? Shortage of something ?

I'm so happy I found this thread! I buy Aldi cheddar and have always found it fine for day-to-day but it's practically inedible now, it's so bland and rubbery! I'm in Ireland so whatever the cheesemongers have done in the UK it's happening here too.

Literally had this same conversation with DH earlier and he didn't believe me! Lidl extra mature - could barely grate it it was so rubbery and our cauliflower cheese was just oily not cheesy and delicious.

I'm an Aldi shopper too. Nearly bought Cathedral City the other day but balked at the price, glad I didn't try it now.

I was thinking this recently - used to be happy to stump up for the extra mature over the value but it's just the same now.

You need to upgrade even further to the Aldi / Lidl finest versions - they are still gorgeous but SO much more expensive

OH made himself a cheese toastie in the Breville using pre-sliced apple wood smoked cheese. When he lifted the lid the unused side was full of oil. doesn't go mad with the butter on the outside - presume it was the cheese.

I'm glad to have found this thread as I was wondering the same.

Cheese doesn't seem to melt anymore, it bypasses that stage and what you get is crumbly dry bits with oily residue.

Lol do some digging and you’ll probably find it’s due to brexit regulation changes in the food industry

Buy the real stuff... from Somerset

Yes yes to godminster.and way to expensive for us too(we’ve only had it because we get free hampers and taste tests from said relative who works for them)
would it offend them to ask though, asking about cheddars.like why has your products all gone to shit.

Totally vague guess….but I’m assuming that some ‘requirement’ in the making of cheese that was subject to legislation from the EU is no longer required….. and now we’re left with shit quality/fake ingredients. Would be good to be wrong…

I'm in Ireland too, and this happened to me recently with Kilmeaden Mature Cheddar, the white one.
Have bought it for years, always crumbly and nicely tangy - the last few times it has been rubbery and bland.
WTF is going on!

The Aldi extra matured cheddar in the black packaging is quite good. Agree their regular mature cheddar in the white and red packaging is crap now - I hadn't really thought about it but you're right, it definitely used to be better.

hallumi cheese bubbles and goes golden if grated on top of pies ect
I also love feta
buy a cheddar from a local small time cheese maker

Sounds like your all eating vegan cheese! I'm vegan and this is what people complain about with plant based cheeses! If it's happening to so many varieties are they changing the quantities of ingredients or something? So weird.

I’m guessing they are adding something or omitting something due to the rising costs. Abit like butter, our usual cheddar has risen a pound from just a year ago, not noticed much difference in taste though, just that it’s more crumbly when trying to grate it, I buy Tesco 4 in the purple packet and wyke farms vintage in the dark green packet.

wish they would just leave our food and drink alone, I would rather pay more money than be left with inferior products!!

Fuck, wish I’d never seen this thread now 😭

has anyone in this thread done a covid test recently?

You made me go look on asda website as it seemed a reasonable assumption actually. Says it contains pasteurised milk only and suitable for vegetarians.

Buy Isle of Man Creamery Cheese extra mature cheddar its lovely. I don't know what they've done to regular cheddar but the iom one is still nice.

We're not losing our taste.

Cheese has been like this for at least months now.

It probably is something to do with legislation or EU regulation which no longer applies in the UK.

Yes, yes.... YESSSS!! I thought it was just me! I've tried loads and it all tastes waxy ... only buy Extra matured cheddar from M&S now.
not sure why it's lost its flavour... bring back proper cheese 👏

Does having covid stop your cheese from
bubbling in the oven?

I agree, I have bought Cathedral City and noticed the sliminess! I have recently discovered the Glastonbury worthy farm cheese that’s absolutely beautiful but only found in Co-op so far! Highly recommend though! Tastes like how cheddar should!

Suitable for vegetarians just means they've used vegetable rennet rather than the enzyme extracted from stomachs.

The waxiness sounds like they've reduced the fat content. Maybe I should be glad I can't eat the stuff any more.

My DS has been driving me mad with this the last couple of months, but I do tend to give him a generic mature cheddar on sandwiches etc. He really turned his nose up at the most epic looking toasted sandwich while out over half term, saying it was 'weird and tasteless'.

I hadn't questioned that the quality may have changed.

Yet again I turn to the local farm shop, where bacon isn't full of water, sausages are more meat than grains and now cheese is, well, cheese!

Problem is, everything's 3x the price in those places though.