Eight Benefits of Eating British Artisan Cheese

If you're a cheese lover, you know that there's nothing quite like the taste of high-quality British artisan cheese. Whether you prefer the gooiness of a soft like Baron Bigod or Tunworth, the pungent scent of a blue or even washed-rind varieties, artisan cheese offers a depth of flavour and complexity that you simply cannot get from mass-produced cheese.

But did you know that eating British artisan cheese also has several other benefits? People are all about improving their health and diet, and cheese is always amongst the first foods on the hit list. While there are many poor-quality cheeses that deserve to be considered bad for health, artisan cheese proves that you can enjoy a mouth-watering wedge while helping your body, helping sustainable practices and supporting independent businesses. Here are just a few reasons to add more artisan cheese to your diet.

It Breaks Free From Ultra-Processed Foods

Today’s supermarket shelves are covered with ultra-processed foods that contain high levels of saturated fat, salt, sugar and oils. In supermarkets, these processed ingredients are added to almost every item to preserve them, but your body is more likely to absorb the saturated fats and oils rather than the good fats. If supermarkets cannot provide us with natural produce, where do we turn to?

Unprocessed artisan cheese is the antidote to the modern diet overloaded with artificial additives and preservatives. Not only do they contain the same benefits as all cheese - such as high-quality protein for muscle and tissue repair, calcium for strong bones and a wealth of vitamins including Vitamin A, Vitamin B12 and zinc - but they are also probiotic, meaning they have a rich diversity of microbes that aid digestion and gut health.

More Probiotic Unpasteurised Cheese

The positive intake of microbes in artisan cheese is especially true of our raw milk cheeses such as Driftwood and The Duke, which are made with unpasteurised milk, keeping all of the microbes formed on the cheese. Not only will you feel full and satisfied, but you’ll be treating your body to a rich source of microbes and vitamins that support immunity, enhance digestion, and contribute to overall well-being.

Tim Spector, Professor of Genetic Epidemiology at Kings College London, recommends eating probiotics regularly in small amounts to improve your metabolism.  “Unpasteurised cheese is one of the richest sources of good microbes and fungi,” he says before specifying which type of cheese will provide the best bodily benefits. “Pick, if you can, artisanal cheeses. Processed cheeses are dead,” he says.

Supporting Independent Producers

By choosing artisan cheese, you're supporting small, independent cheesemakers who are committed to using traditional methods and natural ingredients. When we went behind the barn doors of our partner farms, we got a glimpse into the dedication of these cheesemakers.

“I get up at around 3am daily to make the cheese in small batches,” said Mario Olianas, maker of the exceptional Yorkshire Pecorino. “Each cheese is Individually moulded and cared for until they are ready to be enjoyed. We genuinely want our focus and dedication to be on each of our cheeses, made to perfection individually.” Eating artisan cheeses supports these makers who work doggedly to offer the best that cheese can offer, preserve the cultural heritage of cheesemaking and keep their independent business thriving.

Better for the Environment

Artisan cheesemaking is a more sustainable process from top to bottom, thanks to the makers’ use of traditional methods that downright belittle the efforts of more intensive and industrialised farms in terms of contributing to the betterment of the environment.

It starts by sourcing ingredients locally, prioritising milk made from their own cows to get an authentic taste of their area and significantly reduce their carbon footprint during the transportation process.

Beyond this, artisan cheesemakers actively contribute to healthier ecosystems. The pastures where the animals graze are rich in biodiversity, teeming with bees, birds and native plant life - as opposed to the monocultures of intensive farming, which reduce nature to a staunchly kept stockpile. This natural way of farming helps maintain soil health and supports wildlife, creating a more balance and sustainable food system.

Better for Animal Welfare

If it’s better for the environment, it’s better for animal welfare, too. Many artisan cheesemakers are committed to using humane practices and caring for their animals, which means the milk used to make their cheese comes from happy and healthy cows, goats, and other animals.

Traditional farming methods, such as grass-feeding, herbal-leys and rotational grazing may seem old-fashioned, but they actually promote a more carbon-friendly and regenerative system. These time-honoured practices don’t just focus on output, but nurture the land as well, maintaining the delicate balance of the ecosystem.

It Tastes Amazing

Of course, the biggest benefit of artisan cheese is simply that it tastes utterly divine. With a wide range of flavours and textures to choose from, there's an artisan cheese out there for everyone, and by trying different cheeses, you’ll become a more knowledgeable and cultured cheese lover.

So next time you're considering which cellophane-wrapped pack of cheese to add to your shopping list, consider choosing a British artisan cheese instead. Not only will you be supporting small, independent producers, but you'll also be treating your taste buds to something truly special.

Enliven your fridge with Rennet and Rind’s rich selection of cheeses, bringing artisan flavours and textures to your doorstep. Our acclaimed Mystery Cheese Box is a favourite among our dedicated cheese enthusiasts. Each month, we curate a fresh collection of the UK's finest artisan cheeses, allowing you a glimpse into our vast selection. These boxes are paired with complimentary crackers, informative cards detailing the history of each cheese, and an art piece inspired by the assortment. Discover the intriguing and enchanting world of British artisan cheeses with Rennet and Rind today.