Cheddar cheese stands as a staple favorite across Britain, delighting taste buds whether enjoyed in sandwiches, melted on toast, or paired with crackers. Originating from Somerset, Cheddar accounts for over half of the country’s cheese sales and offers a range of flavors that cater to every palate. But with so many options available, which Cheddars truly shine?
To answer that question, Becca Stock, a Gloucester-based foodie and TikTok sensation known as beccaeatseverything, embarked on a delicious mission. With a following of 567,000, Becca regularly reviews a wide array of foods from supermarkets and eateries. Recently, she took on 30 different Cheddar cheeses stocked by major UK supermarkets to crown the best.
Starting with the lowest rank, Violife Supreme Cheddarton—a dairy-free cheese alternative—earned the dubious distinction of last place. Becca’s reaction was clear and unflinching: “Urgh, vile. It tastes like sweet plasticine. Zero out of 10.” Though she assessed cheeses on their individual merits, this product failed to impress.
READ MORE: Countryfile’s Adam Henson on Balancing Farming Content with Audience Appeal
READ MORE: Mum and Gran ‘Loved Beyond Words’ Among 20 Remembered in Gloucestershire Death Notices
Her tasting journey included cheeses from Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Marks and Spencer, Iceland, Aldi, Asda, and Lidl. Becca expressed pure joy, saying, “This is the dream, isn’t it? Just standing in your kitchen, eating Cheddar for a living.”
Among her top picks, Aldi’s Spicy Cheddar with Chilli took fifth place. Becca raved, “Love, love, love this. The spice is intense and builds with every bite. The cheese itself is smooth and creamy. That’s a 9.5 out of 10.”
Coming in fourth was Aldi’s Specially Selected Extra Mature Cheddar, which Becca described as “amazing” and perfect for fans of bold mature flavors, awarding it a perfect 10 out of 10.
Third place went to Lidl’s Deluxe Somerset Crunchy Extra Mature Cheddar. “I’ve just leveled up to cheese heaven,” Becca exclaimed. “It’s creamy, crumbly, and packs a punch. Another 10 out of 10.”
The runner-up was Ivy’s Reserve Vintage Somerset Cheddar, notable for its claim as the world’s first carbon-neutral Cheddar. With flavors described as sweet, nutty, and slightly caramelized, Becca exclaimed, “Cheese on toast would reach a whole new level with this. Definitely a 10 out of 10.”
Topping the list was Marks and Spencer’s Barber’s Farmhouse Truffle Cheddar. Becca was enthralled: “The truffle flavor hits you immediately, followed by sweetness, smokiness, and nuttiness. This is the best truffle cheese I’ve ever had. A well-deserved 10 out of 10.”
From understated dairy-free attempts to gourmet truffle-infused delicacies, Becca’s tasting journey highlights the incredible diversity and quality within the world of Cheddar cheese.