Crowdie

Crowdie produced by Highland Fine Cheeses Limited is a low-fat, vegetarian Scottish cheese made from cow's milk. The cheese is made by curdling skimmed milk with rennet. Sometimes, it is also flavoured with herbs. It is said that Crowdie has been introduced into Scotland by the Vikings in the eighth century.

It is a sour tasting cheese, very similar to cottage cheese. A fresh cheese by nature, its texture is very creamy and crumbly. Crowdie versions are available as Black Crowdie, Gruth Dhu, Crannog and Hramsa. Often they are accentuated with flavours of toasted oats and crushed black peppercorns. The cheese develops a grey coloured rind on ageing.

Crowdie goes well with a dry white wine such as a French Sauvignon Blanc or a New York State Riesling.