What Do You Know About British Cheese?
Almost 99% (98.5%) of Brits have no idea how many cheeses are made in Britain, almost 1 in 10 don’t know that milk is the main ingredient in cheese and the average person buys just 2 different types of cheese each month, says research released by the British Cheese Board to mark the start of British Cheese Week (25 September - 3 October).
Despite the fact that research has shown that almost two thirds of adults claim that cheese is one of their favourite foods, the vast majority have no idea how many different named cheeses are made in Britain.
Today, the British Cheese Board’s survey shows just how much Britain has to learn about the cheese made on its doorstep:
* Nearly 10% of people are unaware that milk is the main ingredient in cheese, rising to nearly a quarter of 16-24 year olds; the rest suggest it could be cream, mould, water or egg
* The average Brit buys only two types of cheese per month and a fifth buy only one. The over 45s are the most adventurous - but still only purchase three types of cheese each month.
* Most people are unaware of how many cheeses are now made in Britain, with 76% believing that the UK produces fewer than 200 cheeses and the average number guessed at 153.
Almost one in ten people think that Britain makes fewer than 10 and less than 2% (1.5%) estimate correctly - that we actually produce over 700 named cheeses in the UK.
* Most people are also oblivious of the huge range of cheeses made in Britain - three quarters of people don’t realise that Camembert, Mozzarella and Ricotta are all made in Britain, despite the fact that British Mozzarella is the second most consumed and produced cheese in the UK, largely thanks to the pizza industry, whilst our Brie and Camembert are a match for any made in the world.
* Brits are especially baffled by the goats’ cheese, Gevrik, with almost 9 in 10 (88%) unaware that it’s a cheese; 6% assuming it to be a brand of ale; and 5% a breed of bird
* Cornish Yarg is also a mystery to many (64%), with nearly half (43%) of those from the South West, including Cornwall, pleading ignorant about their native curd, 4% believing it to be a breed of goat and 3% a folk dance
To celebrate the variety and quality of British cheeses, the British Cheese Board is constructing the World’s Greatest Cheeseboard featuring over 100 different cheeses.
The cheeseboard will be on show at the Great British Cheese Festival at Cardiff Castle, which is taking place on 25 and 26 September.
Nigel White, secretary of the British Cheese Board said: "We know that the nation love Cheddar, but we were disappointed to see that so few people are aware of the wonderful range of cheese produced here in the UK, clearly we have a challenging task to help people understand the range of fabulous cheeses available.
"There are more than 700 named cheeses currently being made in the UK, many of which are available in local supermarkets and farmers’ markets. We are urging people to try the wide range of British cheeses available, as well as buying their usual British Cheddar."
Tagged in Food And Drink