Hard Cheese
We have a fantastic range of hard cheeses for you to explore below. Our selection includes some of the best-loved varieties from around the world - from classic Yorkshire cheeses to authentic Italian and French varieties, so you're sure to find the perfect one for your taste buds. Whether you're a fan of strong and tangy flavours or mellower notes, we have something to suit everyone's palate. So why not browse our cheese selections and see for yourself? We promise you won't be disappointed!
Looking for an introduction before you buy? Read our hard cheese guide for the main styles, flavours, serving ideas and pairings.
Gjetost Hard Cheese
A Norweigan delicacy, that's as sweet as caramel, with a sticky, fudge-like texture. Gjetost is a concentrated, sweet block that tastes more like butterscotch than like actual cheese. Made from the whey, rather than the curds.
£6.40
Gjetost Hard Cheese – Mini
A Norweigan delicacy, that’s as sweet as caramel, with a sticky, fudge-like texture. Gjetost is a concentrated, sweet block that tastes more like butterscotch than like actual cheese and is made from whey rather than curds. This cheese has a distinctively sweet caramel flavour with a slightly firm texture. It is the staple cheese of Norway and works well melted or not!
£8.50
Gruyère AOC Extra Mature Cheese
If you’re a Gruyère person, this is the cheese for you. It’s sweet, floral and fruity with a brilliant silky texture and crunchy crystals within the cheese that is packed full of immense flavour - setting apart this Gruyère from others. In its early stages it is creamy and nutty, then becomes harder, more earthy and a little saltier. It’s a fantastic cheese with great characteristics that won’t disappoint.
£9.60
Keens Extra Mature Cheddar Cheese
A tangy and intense farmhouse cheddar, with a distinct fresh citrus bite. The truckles are clothbound and matured for 12 months, giving a rich creamy flavour with a hint of citrus on the finish. This batch of Keens has been matured an extra 6 months to impart an even saltier tang! Ultimately, expect a tangy and intense farmhouse cheddar, with a distinct fresh citrus bite. Tangy and rich, this extra-matured, unpasteurised Cheddar wakes up even the most drab of cheese boards.
£7.20
Lancashire Bomb Cheese
Luxuriously creamy, strong and sharp with a slight sweetness and a touch of acid. The bombs have a full flavoured taste that leaves you wanting more. The Lancashire Bomb is presented in a traditional black wax.
£12.50
Mahon Cheese
This dense, crumbly cheese comes straight from Menorca. It is a DOP cheese meaning it can only be made there. This cheese is particularly special as it's made in square rounds and is washed in olive oil and paprika, giving it a soft, fruity flavour.
£9.00
Manchego Curado Cheese 6 Months
The Manchego has a balanced and intense flavour and aroma with a slightly flakey texture; it has an ivory hue and a creamy taste. This particular Manchgeo has been aged for 6 months giving it an incredibly deep and wonderfully rich flavour. A hard, brittle cheese with a surprising moistness. The flavour yields a grassy, tangy after-note.
£9.80
Montgomery’s Cheddar Cheese
£6.60
Murcia al Vino (Drunken Goat)
Murcia al Vino is a goats cheese from the Murcia region of Spain. It's name literally translates to "drunken goat" and this is due to the red-wine bath the cheese receives, giving it a distinct purple rind. Murcia al Vino is a hard yet creamy goats’ cheese that is slightly milder compared to others.
£9.00
Ossau Iraty Cheese
A cheese with a whole lot of history. Ossau-Iraty is thought to be one of the oldest cheeses in the world. The story goes that the Greek God Apollo had a son who was a shepherd and made this cheese from his sheep's milks. Ossau-Iraty is still followed by a traditional recipe that can be traced back 3000 years, this means that this cheese predates the English Alphabet! You’ll be getting a creamy, earthy and beautifully smooth cheese.
£9.00
Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese
Parmigiano Reggiano is Italy’s most famous cheese, if not the World’s most famous. All wheels are inspected at 12 months. The cheeses of the highest quality are then selected to further mature to 30 months. This process ensures we get the best possible product, with the distinctive saltiness being the hallmark of Parmigiano. This cheese has been aged for 30 months, meaning it is rich in flavour, incredibly crumbly and grainy in texture and just done to perfection.
£7.60
Pecorino Dolce Cheese
Here at Love Cheese we love a good sheep's cheese and Pecorino is always a winner. This sheeps cheese comes from the mountains of Tuscany, using long-trusted family methods and is the perfect balance of sweet and floral.
£6.95
About Hard Cheese
What Is Hard Cheese?
Hard cheese is a type of cheese that has been aged for a longer period of time than soft cheese, resulting in a harder texture and stronger flavor. Examples include Italian Parmesan, cheddar, and gouda.
How Is Hard Cheese Made?
Hard cheese is made using a similar process as other types of cheese, but it undergoes a longer aging period. The cheese is first curdled using a combination of rennet and bacteria, then the curds are separated from the whey, pressed, and aged for several months to several years.
How Should I Store Hard Cheese?
Hard cheese should be stored in the refrigerator, wrapped tightly in wax paper or aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out. It can also be stored in a plastic container with a tight-fitting lid.
How Long Does Hard Cheese Last?
The shelf life of hard cheese varies depending on the type of cheese, but it generally lasts longer than soft cheese. Properly stored, hard cheese can last for several months to a year or more.
Can I Freeze Hard Cheese?
Hard cheese can be frozen, but it may change texture and may become crumbly upon thawing. It is best to use frozen hard cheese in cooked dishes where the texture change will not be noticed.