White Stilton PDO

Description

White Stilton PDO Cheese

About White Stilton PDO

White Stilton is one of those quietly special English cheeses. It doesn’t get as much attention as its blue-veined cousin, but it’s just as much a part of our dairy history. It’s crumbly, fresh, and has a gentle, milky flavour that sits somewhere between a young cheese and a more mature one. If you take a moment to really taste it, you’ll find there’s a lot to enjoy.

White Stilton’s story is tied up with the history of Stilton cheese itself. Back in the early 1700s, a cheese a lot like today’s Stilton was served at the Bell Inn in the village of Stilton, which was a popular stop for travellers on the Great North Road. People passing through would try the cheese, and word soon spread.

Oddly enough, Stilton cheese, including White Stilton, has never actually been made in the village of Stilton. Instead, it’s always come from the surrounding counties, where the dairy farms and good milk are found. The blue version eventually became the star, but White Stilton has always been there too. Tasting White Stilton is a bit like stepping back in time to see what Stilton was like before it turned blue.

Protected by PDO Tradition

White Stilton has PDO status, just like Blue Stilton. That means only cheese made in Derbyshire, Leicestershire, or Nottinghamshire, and following traditional methods with local milk, can be called White Stilton.

The rules say White Stilton has to be made from pasteurised cow’s milk, shaped into cylinders, and aged for just three or four weeks. No blue mould or artificial colouring allowed. The PDO helps keep the old ways alive and means you’re getting a cheese that really reflects its home and history.

White Stilton PDO – Jen’s Tasting Notes

How to Serve and Pair White Stilton

• Make sure you take it out of the fridge a good hour before you want to eat it so it can come up to room temperature.
• Classic pairings: White Stilton is at its best with something light. A crisp English cider is a great match for its tang.
• Something a little different: If you prefer a wine then you could go for a dry white wine like Chablis or Sauvignon Blanc to bring out its freshness.
• On the plate: It goes beautifully with fresh fruit like pears, apples, or grapes, which bring out its gentle tang and sweetness. On a cheeseboard, try it with oatcakes, water biscuits, or some lightly toasted sourdough.
• In the kitchen: Crumble it into salads, mix it into mashed potatoes, or use it to fill pastries. It melts better than you might expect, giving sauces and tarts a gentle, creamy richness without the punch of blue cheese.

Jen’s note: Did you know that the fruity versions of White Stilton you see, like apricot or ginger, aren’t actually covered by the PDO rules. Once fruit is added, it can’t be called PDO White Stilton anymore, even though most people still use the name. The real, protected White Stilton is always plain, letting the milk and the cheesemaker’s skill shine through. Sometimes the simplest things are the best.

Buying White Stilton PDO

• Brand or Producer: Long Clawson Dairy
• Product name: White Stilton PDO
• Milk: Cow
• Country: England
• Region: Leicestershire (Melton Mowbray)
• Strength: Mild
• Vegetarian: Yes (vegetarian rennet)
• Suitable for pregnancy: Yes
• Allergens: MILK

Sizes and Prices

• 100g wedge, £2.70
• 500g wedge, £13.50
• 1/2 Wheel (approx. 1kg), £27.00

Storage Advice

• Keep refrigerated
• Wrap in waxed paper or cling film
• Remove from the fridge before serving
• Consume within 10 to 14 days of opening

Delivery and Collection

• UK wide courier delivery
• Click and collect from our Pangbourne shop
• Free local delivery available for selected postcodes

Ingredients (Allergens are listed in capitals)

MILK, starter cultures, vegetarian rennet, salt