Best British Blue Cheese Types
Shropshire Blue is a British blue cheese produced in Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire. The cheese is made from pasteurized cow's milk and is best described as a cross between Cheshire and Stilton. Shropshire Blue ages from 10 to 12 weeks and develops a natural rind that hides a creamy and smooth texture of the carrot-colored body with blue veining throughout.
The orange color comes from annatto. The aromas are strong and rich, while the flavors are intense, sharp, tangy, creamy, and full. It's recommended to pair it with a glass of Pinot Noir or Riesling.
Pair with
THE BEST Shropshire Blue Cheeses
Colston Bassett & District Dairy
Colston Bassett Shropshire Blue
International Cheese Awards - Gold 2024
Blue Wensleydale is an English cheese hailing from the town of Hawes. The cheese is made from pasteurized cow's milk and it was invented in the late 19th century by Thomas Nuttall. Underneath its cloth-wrapped rind, the texture is dense and hard, with blue veining dispersed throughout the paste.
The aromas are rich, while the flavors are mellow, creamy, acidic, and salty, with savory and slightly sharp notes. The cheese is usually left to mature for 6 months before consumption. It's recommended to pair it with light red wines and use it in pear and walnut salad or serve it with prosciutto.
Oxford Blue is an English blue cheese produced in Buckinghamshire. The cheese is made with cow's milk, and its texture is semi-soft and creamy. The flavors are spicy, salty, sharp, and tangy, while the aromas are strong. Oxford Blue was first produced at the Oxford Cheese Company in 1994 by Baron Robert Pouget and Steve Peace.
It is recommended to serve this cheese with a glass of white wine on the side.
Devon Blue is a semi-hard artisan cheese made from raw milk of Ayrshire cows. It is produced by Ben Harris and Robin Condgen of Ticklemore Cheese. In order for the blue mold to develop, Devon Blue needs to mature for 6 to 8 months.
The cheese has a dense, crumbly, and firm texture; the aromas are earthy, while the flavor is spicy, smooth, and buttery. It is recommended to pair Devon Blue with a glass of cider.
Stilton cheese is produced exclusively in the counties of Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, and Leicestershire. It is one of the few kinds of cheese that freeze well and is affectionately called 'The King of English cheeses'. The Stiltons have three varieties: White, Blue and Mature / Vintage Stilton.
White Stilton, as its name suggests, is a white, cylindrical cheese made from full cream pasteurized cow's milk that forms its own crust. Its taste is acidic, fresh, and creamy with a texture that is open and crumbly, and the crust is moist and smooth.
THE BEST Stilton Cheeses
Cornish Blue is an English blue cheese produced in Cornwall. The cheese is made from pasteurized cow's milk and it's designated to be eaten young. The texture is dense, moist, sticky, and buttery. The aromas are mild and sweet, while the flavors are creamy, sweet, and mild.
Due to its mild flavors, the cheese is very versatile and can be used in cooking. It's recommended to sevre it on crusty bread with chutney on the side or crumble it over buttery new potatoes. Pair it with a glass of port. Cornish Blue has been voted Supreme Champion at the 2010 World Cheese Awards.
Yorkshire Blue is a traditional blue cheese produced in North Yorkshire by Shepherds Purse. This semi-soft cheese is made from Yorkshire cow's milk and ages for 8 weeks. Underneath the natural rind, the texture is creamy and spreadable, with blue veining throughout the body.
The aromas are strong, while the flavors are mild, buttery, creamy, and sweet. It's recommended to use Yorkshire Blue in soups, sauces, and a variety of baked dishes.
Blacksticks Blue is a British blue cheese hailing from Inglewhite, Lancashire, where it's produced by Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses. The cheese is made from pasteurized cow's milk and it's usually left to age for 8 weeks before consumption.
Underneath its moldy natural rind, the texture is spreadable, creamy, and soft. The flavors are tangy, smooth, and creamy. It's recommended to use Blacksticks Blue in cooking or spread it on a slice of bread or a cracker.
Strathdon Blue is a Scottish blue cheese hailing from Tain, where it's been produced by the Stones family since 1851. The cheese is made from pasteurized Ayrshire and Friesian cow's milk. The texture is rich and creamy with blue veining running throughout the paste.
The aromas are powerful and rich, while the flavors are creamy and spicy with a slightly peppery finish. Strathdon Blue has won many awards, including Super Gold at the World Cheese Awards in 2014. It's recommended to use this cheese in cooking due to its pepperiness, so Strathdon Blue is often crumbled over steaks or burgers.
Cote Hill Blue is an English cheese hailing from Lincolnshire. The cheese is made from raw cow's milk. Underneath its natural rind, the texture is soft and creamy (sometimes even runny), with blue veins running throughout the paste. The aromas are strong, while the flavors are salty, sharp, smooth, peppery, and buttery.
It's recommended to use Cote Hill Blue in various dishes such as lasagne or baked potatoes. The cheese has also won many awards, including Super Gold at the 2014 World Cheese Awards.
Best British Blue Cheese Producers
Cropwell Bishop Creamery, situated in Nottinghamshire, England, is a family-run business with a history dating back to 1847. Renowned for producing Stilton cheese, the creamery operates within the specific geographic confines permitted to legally create this iconic blue cheese.
The creamery has modernized facilities which blend traditional cheesemaking methods passed down through generations with contemporary standards for hygiene and cheese maturation. The Skailes family, who have managed the creamery for three generations, emphasize traditional production techniques and strong community ties, employing many locals and sourcing milk from nearby family-run farms.
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022, 2021
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2022
Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2021, 2019, 2018
BEST Cropwell Bishop Creamery Cheeses
Shepherds Purse Cheeses, based in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, specializes in making a variety of artisan cheeses, including the award-winning blue cheese, Harrogate Blue, and the sheep milk cheese, Yorkshire Pecorino. The company was established in 1989 by Judy Bell and is known for using cow's milk, sheep's milk, and water buffalo milk.
Their products are available across various retail outlets and are used by chefs throughout the UK.
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2021
Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2024, 2022
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2022, 2019
BEST Shepherds Purse Cheeses Cheeses
Bath Soft Cheese is a family-run farm located near Bath, England, specializing in organic, artisan cheeses. They utilize traditional methods and their own cow's milk for production. Among their well-known products is the Bath Soft Cheese, which is creamy and has a characteristic white bloomy rind.
The company has received several awards for their cheeses, including accolades at the World Cheese Awards.
AWARDS
Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2024, 2023, 2021
Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2021, 2019, 2018
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2022, 2021
BEST Bath Soft Cheese Cheeses
AWARDS
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2022, 2019
BEST Bradburys Cheese Cheeses
Wensleydale Creamery, located in England, specializes in producing the traditional Wensleydale cheese. This creamery is noted for its heritage dating back to the 12th century, originally established by Cistercian monks. It focuses on crafting cheeses that are PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) accredited, ensuring Wensleydale cheese is made exclusively in and around the town of Hawes in Wensleydale.
The Creamery plays a crucial economic role in the region, supporting local farming by sourcing milk from over 40 farms.
AWARDS
Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2021, 2019
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2022, 2019
BEST Wensleydale Creamery Cheeses
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2019
BEST Sussex High Weald Dairy Cheeses
Yorkshire Pecorino Cheese, based in Otley, is owned by Mario Olianas, an Italian-born cheesemaker who moved to Yorkshire from Sardinia. The company specializes in producing Pecorino cheese using traditional Sardinian methods combined with locally sourced sheep’s milk from Yorkshire.
Their products have been awarded in various cheese competitions, emphasizing quality and artisanal techniques.
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2022
Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2022, 2021
BEST Yorkshire Pecorino Cheese Cheeses
AWARDS
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024
Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2021
BEST The Book and Bucket Cheese Company Cheeses
Best British Blue Cheeses
Whole Blue Stilton from Cropwell Bishop Creamery is an exemplary British cheese with a rich, tangy flavor and a melt-in-the-mouth, velvety texture. This cheese is handcrafted using traditional methods dating back to the 17th century and is matured for about 12 weeks to develop its distinctive character.
Cropwell Bishop uses vegetarian rennet and fresh, local milk to produce this award-winning Stilton, which is recognized under the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) for authentic Stilton cheese. It is ideal for large gatherings as it typically comes in a whole form weighing about 7.5 kg, wrapped in wax paper to preserve its quality and flavor.
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022
Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2021, 2018
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023
Devon Blue is a variety of English blue cheese that is produced by Ticklemore Cheese in Devon, United Kingdom. This cheese is noted for its firm texture and moist, crumbly body, striking a balance between creaminess and a mild, gently tangy blue flavor.
Made with pasteurized cow's milk sourced locally, Devon Blue typically matures for a period of approximately 6 to 8 months. During this time, it develops a natural rind and a dense, evenly veined interior. The cheese is suitable for vegetarians, as it is made using vegetable rennet.
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023, 2022
Whole Beauvale is a type of blue cheese produced by Cropwell Bishop Creamery. It is known for its creamy texture and rich, tangy flavor profile. The cheese is crafted using traditional methods that have been refined by the creamery over the years.
It has a mold-ripened rind and is often described as luxuriously smooth and indulgent.
AWARDS
Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2021
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023
Global Cheese Awards - Best
2023
Blue by Shepherds Purse Cheeses is a type of blue cheese known for its rich and creamy texture. It is handcrafted using traditional techniques and made from high-quality cow's milk, which imparts a distinct flavor profile. The cheese is aged to develop veins of blue mold, which gives it a characteristic tangy and robust taste.
Shepherds Purse is a family-run business in North Yorkshire, England, known for producing a variety of artisanal cheeses.
AWARDS
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2022, 2019
AWARDS
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2019
AWARDS
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2022, 2019
Bath Soft Cheese produces a semi-soft cheese known for its distinctive biscuity rind. This cheese offering typically has a creamy, indulgent texture and a balanced flavor that can be both mild and slightly tangy. The biscuity rind adds a unique, subtle crunch that contrasts beautifully with the smooth interior.
This product showcases the artisanal craftsmanship of Bath Soft Cheese, a company renowned for its high-quality, traditionally made cheeses.
AWARDS
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023
AWARDS
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023
AWARDS
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023
AWARDS
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023
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