Just Smuggled In: Sue P's Beautiful New Cheese
 Regular readers of this newsletter will remember my journey to meet Sue Proudfoot at her dairy near Bude. She's a brilliant maker, full of energy and enthusiasm - not to mention cheesemaking skill, and we love to promote great cheeses like Miss Muffet and Keltic Gold.
So when her Cornish Smuggler arrived we were really excited, because this new cheese will really stand out on the cheeseboard. You only have to cut into the truckle to see why, as a delicate tracery of red-orange veins is revealed. Beautiful! Sue explained that the recipe is much the same as her 'cheddar', Trelawney, but with one crucial difference. When the curds are put into moulds, 'annatto' is added. This is the same vegetable dye familiar from Double Gloucester and Red Leicester, but whereas in those cheeses the addition is made to the milk, giving an even colour, here Sue produces a quite different effect.
Trelawney was already a lovely cheese: those looking for something with very broad appeal taste-wise, but featuring a dramatic visual twist, will find Cornish Smuggler very appealing.
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Valentines Day: Order Early and Win a £40 Voucher
 Yes, it's Valentine's Day in less than a month, and of course - didn't you just know it? - we have the perfect solution. Our Valentine's Day Cheese Box contains two heart-shaped cheeses, tangy Godminster Cheddar and a peerless soft, sweet goats' cheese, the White Heart. All beautifully presented in our unique red Posh Box for £25.50.
Because we want to get things moving, and we know that sometimes these things can get left to the last minute (heaven forbid!), here's an offer for you. Order a Valentine's Day Cheese Box before the end of Monday 24th* and we'll enter you in a draw. The winner will receive a £40 Cheese Shed voucher!
* For delivery Tues 8th - Fri 11th February.
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What Else for 2011?
I can't quite believe it, but in May it'll be five years since we had our first order. How did that happen? Anyway, time to think about the future. I doubt whether there will be major changes - after all, the basis of The Cheese Shed is something we still believe in: taking the great cheeses from our region and telling the world all about them. But we could probably use a new - or at the very least, refreshed - website. I have ideas for new gift boxes, and am also thinking about a different approach to wedding cheese presentation, so both of those are on the 'to do' list.
Another thing that's on my mind is the idea of looking for other drinks producers in the SW whose general ethos is in line with our cheesemakers. Perhaps the Cheese Shed could offer a great selection of artisan-made ciders and beers, too? It seems to me that these could be a great fit with our cheeses.
But what do you think? Do let me know any thoughts you have about how we might do things differently, or better. I'd love to hear what you have to say!
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