The Cheesemonger’s Notes
One of the last truly traditional raw milk Lancashire cheeses still made by hand
Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire Tasty is a legendary territorial cheese with a depth of flavour that showcases exactly why traditional Lancashire once held such an important place on the British cheeseboard. Handmade using raw cow’s milk on the Kirkham family farm in Goosnargh, Lancashire, this is a cheese with richness, complexity and a beautifully savoury finish that sets it apart from the mild supermarket versions many people associate with Lancashire cheese.
Unlike crumbly young Lancashire, Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire Tasty develops a firmer texture and a much fuller flavour profile as it matures. Expect buttery richness, gentle acidity, savoury depth and a lingering nutty finish, all wrapped up in a wonderfully creamy yet slightly crumbly texture.
Still made using the same family recipe first passed from Ruth Townley to her daughter Ruth Kirkham in 1978, this cheese remains one of the last raw milk Lancashire cheeses produced anywhere in the world. From the very beginning, the Kirkham family worked closely with Neal’s Yard Dairy, helping introduce traditional Lancashire cheese to a much wider audience and cementing its place amongst Britain’s great farmhouse cheeses.
Key Facts
- Milk: Cow’s Milk
- Pasteurisation: Unpasteurised / Raw Milk
- Type: Hard / Territorial Cheese
- Texture: Creamy, Dense & Slightly Crumbly
- Rind: Natural Clothbound Rind
- Strength: 4/5
- Producer: Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire
- Location: Goosnargh, Lancashire
Perfect Pairings
- Traditional fruit cake
- Pickled onions
- Apple chutney
- Real ale or bitter
- Crisp cider
- Oatcakes or crackers
- Pears and apples
Ideal Uses
- Traditional cheeseboards
- Welsh rarebit
- Cheese on toast
- Proper Lancashire cheese pie
- Sandwiches with pickle
- Grating into savoury dishes
- Enjoying simply with crackers
Why We Stock It
Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire Tasty is one of those cheeses that reminds you what traditional British territorial cheeses are supposed to taste like. Rich, savoury, complex and full of character, it bears very little resemblance to the mild factory-made Lancashire many people know.
We love the fact that this cheese is still handmade on the farm using raw milk and traditional methods passed down through generations of the Kirkham family. It’s a true British farmhouse classic and one of the finest examples of Lancashire cheese still being produced today.
Ingredients & Allergens
Ingredients: Raw Cow’s Milk, Salt, Animal Rennet, Starter Culture
Allergens: Contains Milk
Not sure if this is the right cheese for you?
Read our Hard Cheese Guide or learn how to talk to your cheesemonger