The Ultimate Farmhouse Cheese Guide: Varieties, Pairings, and Recipes
Farmhouse cheese represents the epitome of artisanal, handcrafted dairy products. Unlike mass-produced cheeses, farmhouse cheeses are made in small batches on family farms, often using time-honored recipes and techniques passed down through generations. These cheeses are a true celebration of terroir, reflecting the unique characteristics of the milk from the farm’s herd, the local environment, and the cheesemaker’s skilled craftsmanship.
Check out all the other different types of cheese right here!
Farmhouse Cheese Guide
Ardrahan
Ardrahan is an Irish washed-rind cow’s milk cheese. It has a semi-soft texture and a golden, earthy rind. The cheese emits a flash of complex flavors emphasized by acidic, buttery, and savory attributes. Tasting of Ardrahan is reminiscent of a young Gruyere.
Try it in a Fire and Whiskey Baked Cheese recipe, where the cheese is wrapped in foil with rosemary and garlic, then baked in the oven until melted and served with crusty bread and radishes.
Coolea
Coolea is an Irish Gouda-style cow’s milk cheese. It has a firm, golden amber paste and a mild, creamy taste. The cheese is made from the milk of Holstein and Friesian cows and is aged for a minimum of two months.
Use it in a Coolea Cheese Potato Dumplings with Sage Butter recipe, where the cheese is mixed with flour, egg yolks, and potatoes to form dumplings, then served with a sage butter sauce.
Cooleeney
Cooleeney is an Irish camembert-style cow’s milk cheese. It has a soft, white rind and a creamy, buttery paste. The cheese is made from the milk of Friesian cows and is aged for a minimum of two weeks.
Enjoy it in a Baked Cooleeney Brie with Sunburnt Red Ale Caramel and Pecans recipe, where the cheese is baked with caramel and pecans until melted and served with crusty bread.
Corleggy
Corleggy is an Irish goat’s milk cheese. It has a hard, natural rind and a smooth, creamy paste. The cheese is made from the milk of goats and is aged for a minimum of eight weeks.
Try it in a Crispy Goat’s Cheese with Apple and Hazelnut Salad recipe, where the cheese is coated in breadcrumbs and fried until crispy, then served with a salad of apple and hazelnuts.
Cratloe Hills
Cratloe Hills is an Irish sheep’s milk pecorino-style cheese. It has a hard, natural rind and a nutty, slightly sweet paste. The cheese is made from the milk of sheep and is aged for a minimum of three months.
Use it in an Asparagus, Cratloe Sheep’s Cheese and Orzo Risotto recipe, where the cheese is mixed with asparagus and orzo to create a creamy, comforting risotto.
Croghan
Croghan is an Irish goat’s milk cheese. It has a soft, white rind and a creamy, slightly tangy paste. The cheese is made from the milk of goats and is aged for a minimum of two weeks.
Enjoy it in a Croghan Cheese and Fig Jam Tart recipe, where the cheese is mixed with fig jam and pastry to create a sweet and savory tart.
Dilliskus
Dilliskus is an Irish cow’s milk cheese from the Dingle Peninsula. It has a semi-soft texture and a mild, slightly sweet flavor. The cheese is made from the milk of Friesian cows and is aged for a minimum of two months.
Try it in a Dilliskus Cheese and Walnut Risotto with Fig and Chili Jam and Lemon Rapeseed Oil recipe, where the cheese is mixed with walnuts and risotto to create a creamy, sweet dish.
Durrus
Durrus is an Irish washed-rind cow’s milk cheese. It has a semi-soft texture and a golden, earthy rind. The cheese emits a flash of complex flavors emphasized by acidic, buttery, and savory attributes. Tasting of Durrus is reminiscent of a young Gruyere.
Use it in a Durrus Cheese Nachos recipe, where the cheese is melted and served with tortilla chips and salsa.
Gubbeen
Gubbeen is an Irish washed-rind cow’s milk cheese. It has a semi-soft texture and a golden, earthy rind. The cheese emits a flash of complex flavors emphasized by acidic, buttery, and savory attributes. Tasting of Gubbeen is reminiscent of a young Gruyere.
Enjoy it in a Gubbeen Cheese and Chive Scones recipe, where the cheese is mixed with chives and flour to create a delicious, cheesy scone.
Milleens
Milleens is an Irish washed-rind cow’s milk cheese. It has a semi-soft texture and a golden, earthy rind. The cheese emits a flash of complex flavors emphasized by acidic, buttery, and savory attributes. Tasting of Milleens is reminiscent of a young Gruyere.
Try it in a Milleens Cheese and Pear Salad recipe, where the cheese is mixed with pear and greens to create a refreshing, savory salad.
St. Tola
St. Tola is an Irish raw goat’s milk cheese. It has a soft, white rind and a creamy, slightly tangy paste. The cheese is made from the milk of goats and is aged for a minimum of two weeks.
Use it in a St. Tola Cheese and Fig Jam Tart recipe, where the cheese is mixed with fig jam and pastry to create a sweet and savory tart.
Carrigaline
Carrigaline is an Irish cow’s milk cheese with garlic and herbs. It has a semi-soft texture and a mild, savory flavor. The cheese is made from the milk of Friesian cows and is aged for a minimum of two months.
Enjoy it in a Carrigaline Cheese and Garlic Bread recipe, where the cheese is mixed with garlic and bread to create a savory, aromatic dish.
Carrowholly
Carrowholly is an Irish Gouda-style cow’s milk cheese. It has a firm, golden amber paste and a mild, creamy taste. The cheese is made from the milk of Holstein and Friesian cows and is aged for a minimum of two months.
Try it in a Carrowholly Cheese Potato Dumplings with Sage Butter recipe, where the cheese is mixed with flour, egg yolks, and potatoes to form dumplings, then served with a sage butter sauce.
Cashel Blue
Cashel Blue is an Irish blue cow’s milk cheese. It has a strong, pungent flavor and a creamy, crumbly texture. The cheese is made from the milk of Friesian cows and is aged for a minimum of three months.
Use it in a Cashel Blue Cheese and Pear Salad recipe, where the cheese is mixed with pear and greens to create a refreshing, savory salad.
Chulchoill
Chulchoill is an Irish goat’s milk cheese. It has a soft, white rind and a creamy, slightly tangy paste. The cheese is made from the milk of goats and is aged for a minimum of two weeks.
Enjoy it in a Chulchoill Cheese and Fig Jam Tart recipe, where the cheese is mixed with fig jam and pastry to create a sweet and savory tart.
Coleraine
Coleraine is an Irish cheddar-style cow’s milk cheese. It has a firm, golden amber paste and a mild, slightly sharp flavor. The cheese is made from the milk of Friesian cows and is aged for a minimum of six months.
Try it in a Coleraine Cheese and Chive Scones recipe, where the cheese is mixed with chives and flour to create a delicious, cheesy scone.
Coolattin
Coolattin is an Irish raw cheddar-style cow’s milk cheese. It has a firm, golden amber paste and a mild, slightly sharp flavor. The cheese is made from the milk of Friesian cows and is aged for a minimum of six months.
Use it in a Coolattin Cheese and Chive Scones recipe, where the cheese is mixed with chives and flour to create a delicious, cheesy scone.
Corkotta
Corkotta is an Irish whey cheese. It has a soft, white rind and a creamy, slightly sweet paste. The cheese is made from the whey of Friesian cows and is aged for a minimum of two weeks.
Enjoy it in a Corkotta Cheese and Fig Jam Tart recipe, where the cheese is mixed with fig jam and pastry to create a sweet and savory tart.
Crozier Blue
Crozier Blue is an Irish blue sheep’s milk cheese. It has a strong, pungent flavor and a creamy, crumbly texture. The cheese is made from the milk of sheep and is aged for a minimum of three months.
Try it in a Crozier Blue Cheese and Pear Salad recipe, where the cheese is mixed with pear and greens to create a refreshing, savory salad.
Desmond
Desmond is an Irish Swiss-style thermophilic cow’s milk cheese. It has a firm, golden amber paste and a mild, nutty flavor. The cheese is made from the milk of Friesian cows and is aged for a minimum of three months.
Use it in a Desmond Cheese and Chive Scones recipe, where the cheese is mixed with chives and flour to create a delicious, cheesy scone.
Doolin
Doolin is an Irish cow’s milk cheese. It has a semi-soft texture and a mild, slightly sweet flavor. The cheese is made from the milk of Friesian cows and is aged for a minimum of two months.
Enjoy it in a Doolin Cheese and Fig Jam Tart recipe, where the cheese is mixed with fig jam and pastry to create a sweet and savory tart.
Dromana
Dromana is an Irish flavored cow’s milk cheese. It has a semi-soft texture and a mild, slightly sweet flavor. The cheese is made from the milk of Friesian cows and is aged for a minimum of two months.
Try it in a Dromana Cheese and Fig Jam Tart recipe, where the cheese is mixed with fig jam and pastry to create a sweet and savory tart.
Glebe Brethan
Glebe Brethan is an Irish Gouda-style cow’s milk cheese. It has a firm, golden amber paste and a mild, creamy taste. The cheese is made from the milk of Holstein and Friesian cows and is aged for a minimum of two months.
Use it in a Glebe Brethan Cheese Potato Dumplings with Sage Butter recipe, where the cheese is mixed with flour, egg yolks, and potatoes to form dumplings, then served with a sage butter sauce.
Gubbeen Smokehouse
Gubbeen Smokehouse is an Irish smoked cow’s milk cheese. It has a semi-soft texture and a mild, smoky flavor. The cheese is made from the milk of Friesian cows and is aged for a minimum of two months.
Enjoy it in a Gubbeen Smokehouse Cheese and Chive Scones recipe, where the cheese is mixed with chives and flour to create a delicious, cheesy scone.
Knockdrinna
Knockdrinna is an Irish goat’s milk cheese. It has a soft, white rind and a creamy, slightly tangy paste. The cheese is made from the milk of goats and is aged for a minimum of two weeks.
Try it in a Knockdrinna Cheese and Fig Jam Tart recipe, where the cheese is mixed with fig jam and pastry to create a sweet and savory tart.
Knockalara
Knockalara is an Irish cow’s milk cheese. It has a semi-soft texture and a mild, slightly sweet flavor. The cheese is made from the milk of Friesian cows and is aged for a minimum of two months.
Use it in a Knockalara Cheese and Chive Scones recipe, where the cheese is mixed with chives and flour to create a delicious, cheesy scone.
Wicklow Blue
Wicklow Blue is an Irish blue cow’s milk cheese. It has a strong, pungent flavor and a creamy, crumbly texture. The cheese is made from the milk of Friesian cows and is aged for a minimum of three months.
Enjoy it in a Wicklow Blue Cheese and Pear Salad recipe, where the cheese is mixed with pear and greens to create a refreshing, savory salad.