The cheeses that we love: Mel and Chyna Wythe

As part of our series, which sees cheesemongers and cheese specialists across the UK unveil the cheeses they love to eat most, Speciality Food chats with mother and daughter Mel and Chyna Wythe of Secretts in Milford. The duo run the farm shop’s award-winning cheese counter and say the best part of their job is getting to know local cheese producers, learning about their craft. “It means we are constantly learning, and able to impart great advice to our customers – especially during our weekly Tuesday tasting sessions,” says Mel.

1. Smoked Dorset Red, Ford Farm Cheesemakers

This cheese is naturally smoked, which gives it a really authentic smooth and smoky taste. It’s ideal teamed with a simple sourdough cracker like Peter’s Yard for a lovely texture clash that compliments the flavour of the cheese.

2. Blue Monday, Alex James

Conventional blue cheeses can be intensely flavoured, but this one by Alex James (made on his farm in the Cotswolds and named after his favourite New Order song) is sweeter and creamier than a traditional Stilton. We often recommend it to people wanting to experiment more with blue cheeses and it never disappoints. Paired with a nice glass of Shiraz it is a moment to savour.

3. Miss Thymed, Whalesborough Cheese

A washed curd cheese with herbs from the family farm in Cornwall. It’s fresh with a lemony aftertaste and a lovely creamy texture that melts in your mouth. We love it in the summer paired with figs, but it’s equally enjoyable in winter paired with a rosemary or thyme herby cracker.

4. Rock Star, Snowdonia Cheese Co

This cheese is hugely popular – our team just adore it. It’s matured in Welsh slate caverns for 18 months which gives it a strong, creamy flavour and the crunch of salt crystals make it totally addictive! Pair with a good quality ploughman’s pickle for an explosion of intense flavours.

5. Red Storm, Snowdonia Cheese Co

Another one from Snowdonia Cheese, this vintage Red Leicester offers an intense flavour that’s balanced out with sweet notes of caramel. The flavour develops as you eat it, with delicious hits of sweet and salty coming through. It pairs well with a mature Rioja or full-bodied Chardonnay and can be baked in a souffle too – the perfect all-rounder with flavours to impress even the most knowledgeable of cheese lovers!

6. Wild Garlic Yarg, Lynher Dairies

Made by Lynher Dairies using creamy milk produced by their own herd of Ayrshires, this cheese comes wrapped in garlic leaves with a gentle garlicky flavour. It’s subtle but very distinctive and feels special every time you eat it – the kind of cheese you want to arrive at a dinner party with as a gift for the host. It’s beautiful yet unpretentious, and goes really well with a freshly baked sourdough loaf.

7. Brie de Meaux

Famously known as the ‘King of Cheeses’, this Brie is enhanced with a filling of mascarpone, crème fraiche and chopped black truffles that delivers beautiful and intense flavours. For that reason, it’s best enjoyed with a simple cracker or nice quality bread, ensuring the cheese remains the star of the show.

8. Organic Gouda Goats’ Cheese

We often recommend this to customers looking to try something different to standard goats’ cheese. It’s made with fenugreek seeds which bring in a lovely savoury and nutty flavour that works really well with the fresh and creamy taste. We like it paired with The Fine Cheese Co’s Toast For Cheese with quinces, pecans and poppy seeds. The cheese isn’t too overpowering so the nuts in the toast bring out the flavour.

9. Etorki

A lovely French sheep’s cheese that’s subtle and creamy with a long flavour that finishes slightly stronger as you’re eating it. Pairs well with a soft fruity red wine like a Beaujolais or Pinot Noir.

10. Tunworth, Hampshire Cheese Co

Made by the Hampshire Cheese Co, this British Camembert has a soft interior, with a white rind and a rich, earthy mushroom fragrance. It delivers a long-lasting sweet and nutty flavour, and you can treat it like a Camembert by baking it in the wooden pot in comes in. This one is great to share with friends, paired with some nice breadsticks or crudites.