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Applewood cheese, or applewood smoked cheddar cheese, is a round, white cheddar that is smoked with applewood and hand-rubbed with paprika. Applewood cheddar cheese is originated from the United Kingdom, though it is produced in other countries such as Canada and the United States. Sid Cook was the first to develop the Applewood Smoked Cheddar with his cheese-making skill. The cheese is considered to be a true American Original cheese, having gained popularity among consumers worldwide with its light and enhanced sweet smoky flavor. It has also become a favorite in the United Kingdom. Like all cheddar cheeses, Applewood smoked cheese is made from pasteurized cow's milk. The cheese is preferably paired with an English beer, or served with crusty bread and a food-friendly wine, such as Nipozzano Chianti Rufina Riserva.

Process
The production of Applewood cheddar cheese begins with the process of making the original Cheddar cheese. The cheddar is then smoked with applewood, giving the cheese its sweet, apple-like, smoky flavor. According to Cheeseline.com, the cheese is rolled in or hand-rubbed with mild paprika, giving the cheese its attractive golden-amber appearance and its flavor.

International production and taste
Applewood cheddar cheese, due to its popularity, has become a decent cheese to purchase. However, consumers are capable of producing their own applewood smoked cheddar cheese, as it is done through a simple process. The cheese has been described as being reminiscent of bacon (Christiana) and having that mild white cheddar taste (Mel 27).

Character
Applewood smoked cheddar is a fairly dense semi-hard cheese and is naturally smoked. The cheese itself is rather soft in some cases, making it difficult to grate. The flavor of the cheese, although smoked, does not leave a burnt aftertaste. Instead, smoking the cheese improves the overall taste of the cheese itself, as the mild cheddar taste of the cheese is complimented from having been smoked, resulting in a creamy apple-like flavor (Tuckinquick). It is usually wrapped in an airtight plastic cover and stored at 2oC - 5oC. The cheese will otherwise become hard.

Preparation, uses, and tips
Applewood smoked cheddar cheese can be made in any home when done so under the right conditions. The process begins with a block of sharp cheddar cheese. The cheddar is then smoked with a large piece of applewood, keeping the temperature below 90oF to generate a lot of smoke than heat. The time that the cheese is usually smoked for is 30 min to as long as preferred (The Virtual Weber Bullet). The flavor is very different than that of store-bought Applewood cheese. The cheese pairs well with a variety of foods and beverages. Preferably, it is paired with wine or beer. It can be eaten as a hearty snack with bread or in a sandwich. The cheese may also be served crumbled in salads or cooked with a variety of meats like bacon. However, store-bought applewood smoked cheddar cheese needs to be kept in an airtight freezer bag and stored to prevent the cheese from hardening. As the soft cheese is difficult to grate, slicing the cheese is more preferred, even though doing so still remains difficult because of its round shape. The difficulty of the preparation of the cheese makes it a messy cheese to work with.