FIRST - Store built in Cheddar Gorge - Cheddar, Somerset
Posted by: 
SMacB
N 51° 16.909 W 002° 46.025
30U E 516243 N 5681190
The Old Cheese Shop in Cheddar Gorge lays claim to being the FIRST store ever built in the Gorge.
Waymark Code: WMWJ7E
Location: South West England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 09/10/2017
Views: 1
The Old Cheese Shop in Cheddar Gorge, according to the sign on the side, lays claim to being the FIRST store ever built in the Gorge, est 1870.
"There are many stories (some more believable than others) about how cheddar cheese originally came into being, but some facts are not in doubt. The land around the village of Cheddar has been at the centre of England's dairy industry since at least the 15th Century, with the earliest references to cheddar cheese dating from 1170.
With the absence of refrigeration or adequate transport the problem of what to do with surplus milk was solved by turning it into cheese. Cheesemakers discovered that if you pressed the fresh curd to squeeze out the moisture, the cheese lasted much longer. This method of cheesemaking along with other refinements was perfected in the Cheddar area and so the first authentic Cheddar Cheese was born.
Some Cheddar Moments -
King Henry II purchased 10,240 lbs of Cheddar in 1170 at a farthing per lb (that's 4644kg at a total cost of £10.67!)
When Charles I was on the throne, demand outweighed supply so much that cheddar cheese was only available at the King's court, and even then you had to pay ahead - before the cheese was made.
Scott of the Antarctic took with him 3500lbs (nearly 1600kg) of cheddar made in Cheddar on his famous expedition in 1901.
Originally the cheese had to be made within 30 miles of Wells Cathedral to be able to be called cheddar."
Edited for copyright reasons - GS
FIRST - Classification Variable: Place or Location
Date of FIRST: 01/01/1870
More Information - Web URL: Not listed
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