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Tomales Bay Foods

Sparkenhoe Red Leicester

$33.00
$33.00
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The Cheese

Sparkenhoe Red Leicester (LESS ter) is one of the great revival stories in British cheesemaking. It is the first traditional clothbound, raw milk Red Leicester produced in England after disappearing for more than fifty years.

The cheese is made exclusively from the milk of the farm’s own Holstein herd, colored naturally with annatto, bound in cloth, and coated with lard before aging. Unlike the mild, industrial Red Leicester commonly found in supermarkets, Sparkenhoe is a true farmstead cheese with remarkable depth and character. Typically aged for 5 to 6 months, it develops a firm yet moist texture and a savory complexity that continues to intensify with further maturation. 

Tasting Notes: The paste is dense, chewy and moist. Aromas of toasted nuts, warm butter, and sweet hay. On the palate, it opens with savory dairy richness before revealing layers of roasted hazelnut, browned butter, caramelized onion, and gentle earthy notes. Despite its concentration, the cheese has little of the sharp acidity often associated with modern Red Leicester. The finish is long, nutty, and satisfying, with lingering notes of toasted grains and sweet cream.

Pairings: Red-fruited wines such as Cru Beaujolais, Fruity Pinot Noir or domestic merlot. Apple chutney, spiced onion marmalade with crusty farmhouse bread or oatcakes are all classic accompaniments. 

The Producer

Sparkenhoe Farm is located near Market Bosworth in Leicestershire (LESS ter sheer) and has been in the Clarke family for generations. In 2005, David and Jo Clarke undertook the ambitious project of reviving traditional farmhouse Red Leicester using historical recipes, local knowledge, and milk from their pedigree Holstein herd.

Although neither began as trained cheesemakers, their dedication helped restore an almost-lost regional cheese tradition. Today, Sparkenhoe remains the benchmark for authentic farmhouse Red Leicester, demonstrating how careful farming, raw milk production, and traditional affinage can transform a familiar cheese style into something exceptional.

The cheese is regularly selected and matured in collaboration with Neal’s Yard Dairy, which has played a key role in bringing it to international recognition. 

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