Shropshire Blue
February 15, 2008
Country and region of origin: England – Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Milk: Pasteurized Cow’s Milk
Age: 2 – 3 Months
Rind: Edible natural rind
Creamery: Cropwell Bishop
Creamery website: Cropwell Bishop Stilton
Properties: This cheese comes in cylinders about 7 inches in diameter and 10 inches tall. Shropshire Blue is, essentially, an orange Stilton. It’s made for the most part by the same creameries that make Stilton, but is slightly younger. It is not quite unique as an orange blue, but orange blues are rare enough that it makes a startling presentation at table. Shropshire Blue is denser than Stilton and tangier.
Uses: As with Stilton, Shropshire Blue cooks well and pairs well with fruit.
Wine Pairings: As with Stilton, it goes nicely with any full-flavored red. Really big Ports and Sherries work very well.
Production Notes:This is a younger Stilton, colored with annatto. Most sources date the creation of Shropshire Blue in the early 1970s – in Inverness, Scotland. It was made there by a former Stilton cheesemaker. When his creamery closed, Shropshire Blue was taken up by many of the same creameries that still make Stilton in England. Shropshire Blue is made with non-animal rennet. It’s vegetarian.
Testimonials:
Max McCalman – Cheese: A Connoisseur’s Guide to the World’s Best:
In comparison to Stilton, Shropshire Blue is closer textured, more fudgy and most, warm flavored, less meaty, and slightly more tangy.
Steven Jenkins – Cheese Primer
Its rustic qualities make it delicious to eat and gorgeous to behold… Shropshire Blue offers all of Stilton’s virtues and then some.
