A medium soft full fat cheese with a mild flavour which is ready in 2 weeks. At this stage it has a creamy texture; alternatively it can be left to ripen a little longer in which case it will become more crumbly. Made by Dave Johnson near Crediton, Devon: have a look at his other cheeses - Gunstone and Posbury.
Pictured above: cheese (left), goats (top right, middle right and lower right). Other hard goats' cheeses to be found in The Cheese Shed include Ticklemore, Woolsery and Quicke's.
Vegetarian / Unpasteurised
More About Dave Johnson & Norsworthy Dairy Goats
How to find Norsworthy: 1) Go to Crediton; 2) Wiggle off west into the lanes; 3) Keep wiggling, then 4) Arrive at Norsworthy cross and turn into Dave's yard to be greeted by a simply stunning view looking North-East towards the slopes of Exmoor.
I have a theory that Dave likes to look in that direction because it reminds him of his home in Durham, which a trace of Geordie in his voice still betrays. Originally a cowman, milking other people's herds, he first milked goats in 1999, sparking an idea which led to his own herd - now 180-strong - and a steadily growing list of cheeses.
Early on, a Dutch lady called Vera did the making, and this may explain the 'washed curd' method, which, Dave exlained, is characteristic of Dutch cheeses (as the curds form they're rinsed in hot water, then drained, and this is done three times). These days Dave and his wife Marilyn make the cheeses in their own dairy - built in 2006.
The three hard(ish) varieties, Norsworthy, Gunstone and Posbury, have now been joined by two soft log-shaped cheeses: Tillerton and Chelworth Ash. There's also a blue - Nanny Bloo. Reports have recently come in of Norsworthy cheeses apperaring at The Ivy, Gidleigh Park and another Michael Caines gaff, the Royal Clarence Hotel in Exeter.
