Our local coop in Muttenz has just stopped selling theri cheddar from the deli counter and will not be bringing it back in.
I used it a lot in cooking for my little girl, and the only other alternatives elsewhere are the stronger flavoued cheeses.
So, does anyone else know of another place in Basel or Muttenz that stocks a milder cheddar, or is there a Swiss alternative that people use for babies and children? My daughter is only 9 months old so dont want a strong flavoured one as they contain more salt.
Some of the larger Coops and Migros' sell an industrial cheddar type of cheese, it should be pretty mild. Some cheese counters also sell a monstrous orange industrial cheese which they have the cheek to call British Farmhouse cheddar. I can guarantee it has never been near a farmhouse in it's (very short) life and will be full of all sorts of nasties.
There are plenty of mild young local cheeses which your little one might like, look out for ones from Graubunden and Ticino, a few I know are Crestawald, Passo Spluga and the delightful San Carlo, the last 2 are Bio too..... but you will need to go to a "proper" cheese shop for these and they should allow you to try them, and more, before buying.
I have 2 medium strength cheddars - Westcombe (raw milk) and Godminster Bio (past.) which is my best seller and I'm pretty sure your little one will like it. You can buy Godminster at Glausi's cheese shop at Spalenberg 12 in Basel old town.
Globus has the stuff which GG is talking about. It's not really what I would want to eat but it is in offensive and may suit her. Mind you, I don't fancy rusks or mushed up courgettes either
It's great that she is being brought up on Cheddar: still I think the best of cheeses
Until the parcel arrives (mail order) - or GG comes to Basel or you make it to Zurich - for cooking, I've found a mild Gruyere has similar characteristics as cheddar. Uncooked, I think one of the many regional bergkäse approaches the taste (obviously all don't taste the same, but have a similar tang). However in many cases, I would suggest that the flavour is probably stronger than that, which you seek.
Sorry to digress - but ..... I am now a happy bunny, as I have recently found a käserei in a relatively new Migros centre, not too far from me, that offers 2 types of cheddar - mild/medium and mature (but red/orange - as in Double Gloucester and not Red Leicester - never seen that in cheddar before, although tastes good and had "authentic" looking label, when a fresh pack was opened). Probably not up to GG's standard, but after many years without, and at 27chufs a kilo (for an independent), I ain't complaining.
They also supposedly stock stilton, but are yet to have it when I visit, but was assured last week, it should have arrived last Weds., so I'll look later this p.m. A locally produced alternative wasn't bad, though.
EDIT: Oh .... just seen GG's post, which appeared whilst I was typing - looks like that explains the orange "cheddar" - but sorry to say, it's still better than nothing - and taste isn't so bad.
My kids have been brought up on proper stinky strong cheese - they like the cheddar that would take the roof off your mouth - they also love all kinds of stinky soft cheese and a good bit of stilton too!
But for a baby-friendly cheese I used to just use Tilsiter or the Luzerner cheese someone already mentioned. Mild Gruyere is better if you're making cheese sauces as it seems to melt better (doesn't go stringy).
Another local bergkaese I recommend to people who like milder cheeses is Engadiner, which is a nice inoffensive cheese. Reminds me of the white American cheddars that GG would likely use mostly as doorstops.
The Cathedral brand of Cheddar sold by the Coop among others is absolutely fine for everyday consumption.
I think this is the one GG means by "industrial" and I appreciate the commercial need to describe it like that, but really, it's very edible if you're treating it as a dailyish snack, rather than a specialised cheese appreciation session. On a cracker with a smidgin of Branston Pickle, Cathedral hits the spot nicely, and I'm sure would be absolutely fine for the OP's daughter.
Phew! A lot of different cheeses to try, which is a good thing. Been a bit anal before with cheese and tended to just stick with good olde Cheddar!
After sifting though the replys, popped to the local coop and bought the Luzernew Rahmkaese, Bio Bunder Extra and the St Gall Klosterkas.........got home and tried them all, forget about lo having them, I dont think they will last that long, all yummy and glad of the suggestions.
Mr Grumpygrapefruit, the shop you mention in old town Basel, Glausi's, is that your shop? Will pop down there to get some more cheese this weekend.
Glausi's is not my shop, it's a tiny, old traditional Swiss cheese shop but they do have some great French cheese too. At the moment they only sell Godminster cheddar (it has a burgundy wax round it) and Cropwell Bishop Stilton from my selection. For a bigger selection of my cheese you need to visit Zurich I'm afraid.