by 
The Curious Bag
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<h4 class="dechead">On One Hand: Tasters Prefer Extra Sharp Cheddar
In general, sharp cheddar cheese works for tastier macaroni and cheese, and for any cheese dish--it's a more flavorful cheese. According to a 2002 study by Cook's Illustrated Magazine, the sharpest cheddar was chosen as a favorite by tasters. An article discussing the results of the survey distinguished between supermarket cheddars and brand names, as the supermarket cheddars didn't pack as much punch as the brands. Sharper cheddars are aged between nine and 18 months, giving them their robust flavor, as opposed to mild cheddars which are aged for three months.
On the Other: Kids May Not Like It Better
Macaroni and cheese is often served to children. They may not yet have developed a taste for aged cheese, so a milder flavored cheese should be used.
Bottom Line
Choose the cheese you will use depending on who the diners will be. Sharp cheddar cheese can give your macaroni dinner a wonderful edge and memorable flavor. It may take a little trial and error to determine which strength cheese is best for your family, but you are likely to enjoy the process of experimenting.
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