Along with their conquering armies, the Romans brought their cheese making expertise to England in the first century AD. But it was not until the sixteenth century when the cheese we know today as cheddar was so named. With such a long history, it's no surprise that cheddar is one of the world's favorite foods. So popular in fact, that almost every cheese-producing nation makes its own version. This assortment contains excellent examples from three continents:

• Denhay Mature English Cheddar: Denhay Cheddar is carefully matured and monitored until it is 11 months old when it is sold as premium West Country Farmhouse Cheddar. (8 oz.)
• Grafton Classic Reserve Cheddar: Grafton Classic Cheddar is an outstanding mature cheddar cheese selected for its pronounced flavor and smooth finish. This two year aged cheese is excellent when accompanied with dried fruits and nuts, crusty breads, and big wines. (8 oz.)
• Great Ocean Road Cheddar: This sharp white cheddar hails from Australia, where it is made from pure milk taken from cows that graze on lush pastures swept by winds from the Southern Ocean. (8 oz.)
• Red Leaf Cheddar: This entrant from North America has a firm texture and a sweet, honeyed flavor. Best enjoyed with ale and fruit, this cheddar is aged for over 12 months. (8 oz.)

Please note that any item temporarily out of stock will be substituted with a similar item of equal value.

In the proud tradition of St. Patrick's Day, we are thrilled to present four of our favorite Irish cheeses in this carefully selected assortment. For decades, Irish cheeses were a secret; enjoyed only by our friends "across the pond". Now, we are lucky enough to carry these four cheeses.

• Cashel Blue: This wonderful farmhouse blue cheese hails from Tipperary. Using only fresh cows milk from their fresian herd, Louis and Jane Grubb have produced this masterpiece. Ideal for melting or after dinner with some port. (8 oz.)
• Dubliner tastes of a mature Cheddar, with the sweet aftertaste of Reggiano. Created by the Irish company Kerrygold and named after Ireland's capital city, this cheese shares traits with several well-known cheeses, but the combination creates a flavor that is completely unique. (8 oz.)
• Cahill Farm Cheddar with Porter Ale is a visually intriguing cheese. Mixed with dark porter ale during the cheesemaking process, this cheese has a marbled effect with dark brown veins. Imported from Ireland, it has a surprising meaty flavor and is obviously a perfect match for ale. (8 oz.)
• Our Shamrock Cheddar is aged for over 12 months and has a creamy, taut texture and sweet, grassy flavor. The milk for this "bitey" cheddar is taken from cows grazing the green grass of southeast Ireland, an area traditionally known as "The Garden of Ireland". This environment produces rich, creamy milk that is perfect for cheese making.

• Please note that any item temporarily out of stock will be substituted with a similar item of equal value.

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This sampler features four cheeses that are typical of four distinct regions of Italy:

• Provolone Piccante - The piccante (sharp) version of this classic Italian cheese is more complex and great on sandwiches or chunked. (8 oz.)
• Grana Padano Stravecchio - The original hard Italian cheese, Grana Padano is a firm, dry, fruity cheese from the Po Valley of Northern Italy. Stravecchio is aged for an optimal 20 months. Grate it over pasta, vegetables or soup, or serve it as a table cheese drizzled with extra virgin olive oil. (8 oz.)
• Mountain Gorgonzola - Italy's famous blue cheese comes from Lombardy. Made from cow's milk taken from local herds that graze on beautiful rolling pastures, no Italian Cheese Assortment would be complete without a cut of authentic Gorgonzola. (8 oz.)
• Pecorino Toscano - This soft, sheep's milk cheese is made in the hills of Tuscany. It is young, sweet and springy. We find that this combination well represents the wide variety of flavors and textures found in Italian cheeses. (8 oz.)

• Please note that any item temporarily out of stock will be substituted with a similar item of equal value.

This item is not packaged as a gift. If you would like the gift packaged version of this item please click here.

England is a land well suited to dairy farming. Its territory is relatively flat, thus good for grazing, and it has plenty of rainfall. This country produces over 500 distinct types of cheese, including the four we are featuring in this English Cheese Assortment.

• Denhay Mature Cheddar - Arguably the world's most famous cheese name, Cheddar is an authentic English cheese that has been copied all over the world. If you have never tasted authentic English Farmhouse Cheddar, you are in for a wonderful surprise. (8 oz.)
• Royal Blue Stilton - How could such an assortment not include England's beloved blue cheese? Creamy, tangy and eminently satisfying, our Royal Blue Stilton is perfect as a snacking cheese or as an ingredient. (8 oz.)
• Sage Derby - Don't be afraid of the green! Pulverized sage leaves are mixed with water then added to the curd of Derby cheese to create this striking example of English cheesemaking ingenuity. Mild and herbaceous, Sage Derby is the ultimate party cheese. (8 oz.)
• Cotswold - Also known as "Pub Cheese," Cotswold is the name given to this hearty cheese that combines Double Gloucester with flavorful bits of chive and onion. A harmonious blend of mellow, crumbly cheese and powerful vegetables, Cotswold is a terrific complement to the softer, more mild flavors on your cheese board. (8 0z.)

Assortment includes four 1/2 pound cuts of cheese.

• Please note that any item temporarily out of stock will be substituted with a similar item of equal value.

This item is not packaged as a gift. If you would like the gift packaged version of this item please click here.

For centuries, Clotted Cream has been an essential element in a great British tradition -- High Tea. Spoon it over fresh scones or tea cakes already spread with strawberry jam, accompanied by a pot of piping hot tea. With a butterfat content of 55%, Clotted Cream has a supple, buttery flavor that is not overpowered by the flavor of the jam. Made in a traditional manner, Clotted Cream from Devonshire is a natural and delicious source of Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Vitamins A, B12 and D, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus and Zinc. Available for the first time in the United States, we know you will you enjoy our Clotted Cream.Must be consumed within 5 days after opening

Imported from Brittany, France, these caramels are seductive buttery treats made from whole milk, natural butter and authentic fleur de sel (special sea salt). Rich in minerals and low in sodium, they are a healthy indulgence that please both young and old. Each caramel is individually wrapped and hand packed in an attractive round, wooden box. Ideal as a hostess gift, party favor or personal reward, these sweets are the crème de la crème of the candy world.

Until the 19th Century this perennial favorite was known as Valais. Taking its modern name from the French verb racler (to scrape), Raclette is now one of the most popular mountain cheeses worldwide. Made from whole, unpasteurized cow's milk, this raclette is typically aged three to four months. Smoother than gruyere, Raclette has a creamy and supple texture with fruity undertones that intensify when melted. A little firmer than its French counterpart, our Swiss Raclette is great served with Bunderfleisch or cured ham. Traditionally served with kirsch or beer.

• Made from unpasteurized cow's milk.
• Photo depicts half of a 10 lb. wheel.
• We cut and wrap this item by the pound.
• Please contact us if you would like to purchase the whole form.

The history of Douwe Egberts starts in 1753, when a husband and wife opened The White Ox, a gourmet shop, in the North of Holland. Their offerings focused on coffee, tea and tobacco-- products that were imported from the Far East and traded in Amsterdam. Sales grew rapidly and soon Douwe Egberts started a wholesaling and distribution business. They built their first coffee roasting plant in 1919 and began exporting their premium quality coffee in 1930. By 1960, Douwe Egberts accounted for more than half of Dutch coffee exports. Few coffees can match the heady power and richness of this popular blend.

Maytag blue cheese is a cow's milk cheese produced in small volumes in Newton, Iowa.It has a crumbly texture and a very spicy flavor.Nestled in among the rolling hills of central Iowa is the Maytag appliance factory. Down the road and arou nd the corner is the Maytag Dairy, which produces Maytag Blue cheese, among other, lesser-known cheeses. Yes, the two are related.

Switzerland Cave-Aged Gruyere One of the most essential ingredients to fondue is Swiss Gruyere. It is everything Emmentaler wishes it were. The Swiss-style Gruyere tends to be sweeter than the French version produced in the Jura mountains and have 2x the flavor of Emmentaler. Choose Gruyere for gratins, soups, grilled cheese sandwiches and of course fondue. Can also be paired with red Burgundies, Rhone Reds, and Alsatian Reds. Perishable Product Expedited Shipping Suggested.

Merlot is a red wine grape widely planted in Bordeaux and, to a lesser extent, in California and the Pacific Northwest. It is known for its soft, smooth, plummy finish. Here are some cheeses we enjoy with Merlot:

• Beemster Classic Extra Aged Gouda: Our Gouda is produced by CONO Kaasmakers under the Beemster brand. CONO is located in Northern Holland; famous for its rich milk and fertile grazing lands. This edible masterpiece has been matured for eighteen months, allowing its body to develop a muted caramel color, matched by a uniquely intense, yet sweet, flavor.
• Monte Veronese: Skilled artisans hand craft Monte Veronese Latte Interno in Lessinia, the picturesque mountain area above Verona. Monte Veronese is a typical Italian table cheese produced only with full-cream cow's milk. Monte Veronese is aged approximately 60 days to create a sweet, yet delicate and pleasant, flavor.
• Manchego: Spain's most famous cheese. Produced in La Mancha in Central Spain, true Manchego is made from 100% sheep's milk. The abundance of wild herbs on Central Spain's grazing lands gives Manchego a special taste and aroma. Its flavor is zesty and exuberant while its texture is firm but not dry.

• Please note that any item temporarily out of stock will be substituted with a similar item of equal or greater value.

Merlot not included.

This item is not packaged as a gift. If you would like the gift packaged version of this item please click here.

Just thinking about this assortment of four half-pound cuts of wonderful Dutch cheeses makes our mouths water. The Dutch are world famous for their cheesemaking prowess and these selections will show you why.

• Extra Aged Gouda: Ripened for a full 18 months to develop a nutty, caramel-like flavor, this is the Gouda the Dutch keep for themselves! It is always a crowd pleaser.
• Leyden: Dotted with cumin seeds, it is the rye bread of the cheese world. Wonderfully firm texture.
• Dorothea: A real specialty and an igourmet.com exclusive, this wonderful goat's milk cheese flavored with potato skins and basil oil will send your taste buds into fits of pleasure! Even people who claim to dislike goat cheeses love this one.
• Maasdam: Originally created in Norway, then perfected in Holland, Maasdam is Dutch for baby swiss. This cheese offers a sweet, nutty flavor with a wonderfully tangy aftertaste.

This assortment ships with one half-pound of each cheese selection.

Please note that any item temporarily out of stock will be substituted with a similar item of equal value.

This item is not packaged as a gift. If you would like the gift packaged version of this item please click here.

Ekte Gjetost is a sweet, brown, firm cheese, made solely from pure goat's milk which is boiled under pressure until caramelization occurs. Stronger than regular Gjetost, it is widely popular among Scandinavians. Children especially enjoy its sweet flavor and fudge-like texture. Traditionally, this cheese is cut into very thin slices and eaten at breakfast with toast or crispbread.

• Made from pasteurized goat's milk.
• Photo depicts whole 17.5 ounce form of cheese.

Murrays Bridge is a bustling city in southern Australia, and it's there that the Murray Bridge Cheese Co. produces this dry, tangy Aussie Jack. This Monterey Jack-style cheese has lacy holes, a tangy pleasant flavor, and melts wonderfully on the grill or in sauces. Made of whole milk that is never treated with rBGH, ensure pristine quality. If you're tired of lackluster jacks from your local market, this Aussie Jack is sure to please!

• Made from pasteurized cow's milk.
• Photo depicts whole 44 lb. form of cheese.
• We cut and wrap this item by the 1/2 pound.
• Please contact us if you would like to purchase the whole form.

A spicy, yet savory cheese. The Italian choice for cheese. Used as a grating cheese for all pasta dishes or can just be served as an antipasto with bread and olives.

Our Vintage Canadian Cheddar has been aged over four years! Cheddar is a firmly pressed cheese with a hard, homogenous texture. The cheese begins life with a flexible texture and slightly acidic, buttery sweet taste. The fat, protein, minerals and ashes gradually break down during the fermentation and aging process, which intensifies the flavors and firms and dries the texture. Made in Quebec, this cheddar does not contain food coloring. Instead, it showcases a lovely, off-white color. Enjoy the full-flavored, intense, tanginess of this excellent four year Canadian Cheddar.

• Made from pasteurized cow's milk.
• Photo depicts whole 5 lb. form of cheese.
• We cut and wrap this item by the 1/2 pound.
• Please contact us if you would like to purchase the whole form.

Auricchio Provolone cheese is made from the kneading and streching of cow's milk curd. However, Auricchio Provolone is the preferred provolone throughout Italy and the rest of the world. Perfect for pizza's, sandwiches, or just a snack.

Despite having a long history, real farmhouse Dutch Edam cheese has disappeared and with it its original sharp identity. Today Edam cheese is a pleasant but rather bland factory-produced cheese. Edam cheese is known for its distinctive red wax coating, but this only appears on cheeses for export. Those destined for the home market are sold with their natural thin yellow rind exposed. The buttercup yellow paste is firm but springy, although not usually as rubbery as young factory-made Gouda. Edam has a lightly spicy aroma and easy taste with a slightly salty flavor lingering on the palate. Edam is made from partially skimmed, pasteurized milk and thus has a relatively low fat content.

Crottin de Chavignol should be consumed hard. It has a bluish rind with a glossy texture when young. It is a little slaty and the balance of sourness, sweetness, and the smell of milk enhance the taste. When aged, the smell is strong with a meaty texture and a robust flavor with a rough and hard rind which should be removed by grating. Hot crottin on salad with wine vinegar makes a good appetizer. Pairs well with a "Sancerre" white wine.

This specialty hails from the Southern Italian provinces of Abbruzo, Calabria, Campania and Sicilia. The meaning of its name has been debated for centuries, but its Latin roots are Cacio - cheese and Cavallo - horse. Some historians think it is so named because it was originally made from mare's milk, others because it was transported on horseback. The most popular theory is that the name has nothing to do with a horse, rather that caciocavallo is a copy of an ancient Turkish cheese called qasqawal. The origins of the name notwithstanding, caciocavallo is a traditional pasta filata (stretched curd) cheese made from cow's milk. Other pasta filata type cheeses are mozzarella and provolone. Caciocavallos are gourd-shaped and come to us in pairs, tied together by a rope that loops around the "neck" of each cheese. After an aging period of three months, this ancient cheese takes on a tangy, meaty flavor with hints of anise and almonds. We cut each caciocavallo into quarters, making four one pound cuts. Please call if you would like to order an uncut four pound unit. Varieties sold separately.

• Made from pasteurized cow's milk.
• Photo depicts whole 4 lb. form of cheese.
• We cut and wrap this item by the 1/2 pound.
• Please contact us if you would like to purchase the whole form.

Wensleydale with Cranberries is a hand-made Yorkshire cheese. It is made from milk drawn from cows grazing the sweet limestone pastures on surrounding farms in Upper Wensleydale. This gives the cheese the unique flavor for which it is renowned. The cheese is a fresh, young cheese taken at only three weeks old - it has a clean, mild, slightly sweet flavor with a honeyed aftertaste. The superb texture of fresh Wensleydale is perfectly complemented by the addition of natural ingredients of the finest quality. When this Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese is combined with juicy cranberries you will get a cheese that is a beauty to your eyes and to your taste buds. We cut and wrap this cheese in wedges of 10 ounces and you can also buy a wheel of 3 pounds.

Looking for the perfect selection of Irish treats to wish someone a very special Slainte?

Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland are the stunning countries that make up Scandinavia. They are linked by distinct, yet related cultures. The pureness of their air, water and land translates into very clean milk, which leads to high quality cheeses. We have chosen a selection of ½ pound cheeses from these countries (with the exception of Iceland) to take you on a cheese tour of Scandinavia.

• Gjetost: Pronounced YAY-toast, this caramel-flavored cheese comes from a blend of cow and goat's milk. Packed with energy, Norwegian hikers always pack along a block of Gjetost before venturing too far away from home.
• Finlandia Swiss: Finland's best-selling, rich and characteristically nutty Swiss. Made from the EU's healthiest milk (IDF, 1995) taken from dairy cows grazing in Finland's pure and clean Northern environment, it's no wonder that Finlandia Swiss is the market leader in the U.S.A.
• Västerbotten is the traditional Swedish celebration cheese. To many Swedes, it is considered the "emperor of cheeses", either because of its heft (it is made in 40 pound wheels) or its full flavor. Its flavor is rich and full-bodied with a tangy, bittersweet bite.
• Danish Crumbly Blue: Made from cow's milk, it is a white cheese with a delicate network of blue-green veins. Denmark's rich, green grazing pastures and fertile soil contribute to the fine, consistent quality of this world famous product.

Please note that any item temporarily out of stock will be substituted with a similar item of equal value.

This item is not packaged as a gift. If you would like the gift packaged version of this item please click here.

Taking its name from the symbol of the Welsh flag, Red Dragon is a blended Cheddar with mustard seeds and Welsh ale, and is coated in a bright red wax. This cow's milk cheese from Wales combines the subtle sharpness and depth of natural mus tard with the moist, tanginess added by the brown ale. Taking its name from the symbol of the Welsh flag, Red Dragon is a blended Cheddar with mustard seeds and Welsh ale, and is coated in a bright red wax.

Apple Smoked Cheddar Cheese made by Carr Valley Cheese Company is a white cheddar that is apple smoked and then hand rubbed with paprika. This artisanal, all natural gourmet cheese has a light smoky flavor that balances very well with the paprika. Carr Valley's Apple Smoked Cheddar Cheese won a first place at the 2005 American Cheese Society in its category and a third place at the 2006 World Cheese Competition and 3rd Place at the 2006 American Cheese Society Competition. We cut and wrap this American gourmet cheese in wedges of 8 ounces and 1 pound.

A genuine cheese from the La Mancha region, this artisan Manchego originates on small Spanish hillsides where La Mancha sheep flocks graze. The small-scale, artisan production of this Manchego by Dehesa de los Llanos yields an exquisite cheese that is hand-formed, wrapped, and salted over a 24 hour period. Dry cured for one year in an eighteenth century cave, this Manchego has a robust flavor reminiscent of the Mancha countryside. Enjoy it as the locals do - served before the meal, topped with a spot of membrillo (Spanish quince paste). Also lovely when dipped in honey.

• Made from unpasteurized sheep's milk.
• Photo depicts whole 7 lb. form of cheese.
• We cut and wrap this item by the 1/2 pound.
• Please contact us if you would like to purchase the whole form.

We experienced a moment of culinary divinity when we first sampled this double-aged Gouda. Previously, we doubted that any cheese could be more flavorful than Beemster's 18-month Aged Gouda, but their X.O. indeed sets a new bar. With this 26-month gouda, we first noticed its delicate, brittle texture. After we tasted it, the flavor of butterscotch permeated the palate, followed by alternating waves of whiskey and pecan.

• Made from pasteurized cow's milk.
• Photo depicts whole 24 lb. form of cheese.
• We cut and wrap this item by the pound.
• Please contact us if you would like to purchase the whole form.

This PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) cheese was first produced in Greece in the 1960's. Today, it is one of Greece's most popular cheeses, sometimes spelled as "kefaloghraviera." Produced in Western Macedonia, Epirus, and the prefectures of Etoldkarnania and Evrytania, this hard table cheese is made from 100% sheep's milk. Often considered to be a cross between kefalotiri and graviera. It has a pleasant salty, and slightly nutty flavor with a rich aroma and smooth mouthfeel. Kefalograviera is great on its own or fried to make Saganaki.

• Made from pasteurized sheep's milk.
• Photo depicts whole 20 lb. form of cheese.
• We cut and wrap this item by the 1/2 pound.
• Please contact us if you would like to purchase the whole form.

The Dutch have been producing hand-made farmhouse Goudas for many centuries. Due to Holland's fertile soil and lush green pastures, its cows produce unusually rich milk which, in turn, leads to extra creamy cheeses. Gouda is the most famous of Dutch cheeses and is made from whole milk only. This semi-soft cheese has a creamy, yellow body with irregular holes and a natural yellow rind. For export, Goudas are always coated in red wax. But we have brought in a shipment of yellow waxed Gouda, the product intended for the European market, so you can enjoy the same rich Dutch Gouda that is enjoyed in its homeland.

• Made from pasteurized cow's milk.
• We cut and wrap this item by the 1/2 pound.
• Please contact us if you would like to purchase the whole 24 lb. form.