I have to admit that it was in a spirit of deep cynicism that I said I would try Mexicana Extreme which is billed as the UK's hottest cheese. For a start I loathe most flavoured cheeses and could see little point in a cheese so hot you couldn't taste it. However for a go-anywhere-try-anything kind of a gal it had to be done.
The cheese is being marketed by Ilchester in Somerset and, believe it or not, is a cheddar, laced with peppers, chilli seasoning and assorted spices. It is, as billed, quite ridiculously - almost vindalooishly - hot, obviously designed to appeal to people who like hot sauces with 'death' 'killer' or 'pain' on the label. And why shouldn't they have a cheese that appeals to them if someone is prepared to make it? Fair point, gov, but all I can say it's not cheese as you or I know it.
It's slightly milder sibling, Mexicana, isn't bad though if you're into Tex Mex - which in my weaker moments I am. I wouldn't nibble it for fun but I made quite a tasty quesadilla with it and some shredded spring onions and can see it being a flavourful if somewhat gungey topping for nachos, burgers or even a baked potato.
If nothing will persuade you not to try it you can apparently buy the Mexicana Extra Hot from at Asda (in a 185g wedge) and shortly from the deli counter at Sainsbury's and Morrisons where it will sell for £10 a kilo.
So am I being fair or a food snob about Mexicana Extreme. What's your view of flavoured cheeses?
16 comments:
not a big fan of flavoured cheese- i do like the cheddar with mustard seeds (sainsbury carries it) as well as cheese with black truffles (Peck in Milan- gorgeous), but i stop there. no mexicana for me. x shayma
Gross gross gross. It looks and sounds minging I have to say. I was going to write something about how it's not proper food and then I've just realised I'm currently writing a post about SPAM.
I thought you meant hottest as in coolest or most popular - this cheese does not look good at all!
I love Munster with cumin. At uni I used to love something called Ilchester Garlic but haven't seen it since (and now would probably turn my nose up at it!): a kind of garlicky cheddar.
Not for me. No, you are not a cheese snob. I can't bear it and am very glad to see you write about the hideousness of it all.
not generally a fan. Morrisons did Mint Choc Chip Stilton one christmas the idea of which still really upsets me
Those 'cheeses' look like shrink-wrapped vomit. Vile. Agree with you entirely about most flavoured cheese as it is confected, manufactured rubbish or, more kindly, it's a distraction from an already enjoyable and satisfying cheese. However, I am partial to a bit of decent smoked cheddar or anything laced with truffles...
I also loathe flavoured cheeses (what is it with putting things like cranberry & apricot in cheese?)
However, we picked up a chilli flavoured cheese at the market in Grassington about 18 months ago which was really tasty (and not so hot you couldn't taste the cheese). Unfortunately, it wasn't labelled with the producer so I can't make any suggestions about where to buy it (other than Grassington, of course).
It's not cheese.
It might be a ready-to-melt-cheesey-chilli-sauce for that special not-as-fresh-or-nice-as-combining-some-simple-ingredients taste.
But it's definitely not cheese.
Ooops! Hadn't realised feelings ran so deep on the flavoured cheese front.
Yes - cheese with truffles quite, quite different Shayma and Lucy. And a big fan of Munster with cumin, Patrick. As I say, not ALL flavoured cheeses are bad
Enjoyed your post on Spam, Helen. Brilliant use for it!
No, not hip at all, Gourmetchick
Mint choc chip Stilton is utterly gross. In the same category as Christmas pudding cheese which I spotted - but happily didn't taste - one year
Report back if you remember the chilli-flavoured cheese that was OK, Alex
And you're quite right. Rob. It's not Cheese. Or not Cheese as we know it in Brizzle. Trethowans Dairy would be outraged . . .
No, you are not a cheese snob, just adventurous to try them, I commend you. And no offense intended but this is not cheese! Living in London and Paris gives me the unique opportunity to see new cheeses being developed and old ones improved. The term 'gross' is not strong enough for these I am afraid, because they are abominations! Cheers! debbi
Thankyou Debbi! Happily it's cheeses like Tymsboro that put cheeses like Mexicana in perspective ;-)
brie with walnuts - heaven.
id probably like this mexicana on nachos with guacamole. mmm
Mexicana Cheese is best cheese. No competition.
Nom nom nom :-)
wow call yourselfs cheese snobs!
MEXICANA! VIA LE CHEESE
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