Cheddar is one of the most popular cheeses in the world. This cheese was originally made in the town of Cheddar in the Somerset region of England. However, because the name "Cheddar" was never registered, it is currently made in many other countries in the world including Ireland, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Canada. All of these cheeses are made using the process of "cheddaring" where the cheese curd is cut into smaller pieces, cooked, and then stacked on top of each other to expel moisture. 

The only certified cheddar uses the full name "West Country Farmhouse Cheddar" and comes from the English counties of Somerset, Cornwall, Dorset, and Devon. Cheddars can vary in shape from square or rectangular blocks to wheels. Typically, Cheddar is white to ivory colored with a flavor that is sharp and rich with a crumbly texture. Some cheddars have color added to the cheese so that it is orange but the traditionally made cheddars do not. The younger cheddars are not as sharp and creamier in texture.