White Stilton PDO

Description

White Stilton PDO Cheese

About White Stilton PDO

White Stilton is one of those quietly special English cheeses that tends to live in the shadow of its much more famous blue cousin. But it really shouldn’t. Fresh, crumbly and wonderfully milky, it has a character all of its own and is one of Britain’s protected traditional cheeses.

White Stilton shares its history and cheesemaking heritage with Blue Stilton, but without the blue mould it develops very differently. It is sold much younger, giving it a fresh, clean flavour and crumbly texture rather than the richer, more savoury character we associate with Blue Stilton.

And despite the name, neither White nor Blue Stilton is actually made in the village of Stilton. The village became famous for selling the cheese to travellers passing along the Great North Road during the 18th century, but the cheese itself was being made elsewhere. It’s one of those wonderful little quirks of British cheese history.

A Stilton Without the Blue

White Stilton is essentially made in a very similar way to Blue Stilton, but without the addition of the blue mould cultures that create those famous veins.

Without the blue, you really get to taste the fresh, lactic character of the cheese itself. It’s also matured for a much shorter time than its blue cousin, which explains its pale colour, crumbly texture and clean, milky flavour.

I think that’s what makes White Stilton interesting. We’re so used to thinking of Stilton as a blue cheese that it’s fascinating to taste what happens when you take the blue out of the equation.

Protected by PDO Tradition

White Stilton has PDO status alongside Blue Stilton, which means there are strict rules governing where and how it can be made. Production is restricted to Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire and the cheese must be made using pasteurised cow’s milk.

The protection helps preserve both the name and the traditional style of the cheese — something particularly important when you’re dealing with one of Britain’s best-known cheese names.

And here’s an interesting bit: the fruit-flavoured versions you often see labelled as White Stilton with apricots, cranberries or ginger don’t themselves qualify for the White Stilton PDO once those extra ingredients have been added. Protected White Stilton is the plain cheese — and personally, I think it’s worth tasting that way.

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: A crisp English cider is lovely with White Stilton. The fruit and acidity work beautifully with its fresh, milky tang.
• Something a little different: Try a fresh, dry white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc. You don’t want anything too heavy — this is a delicate cheese and the drink should let it stay that way.
• On the plate: Fresh pear or crisp apple works beautifully. Add some simple oatcakes or water biscuits and let the cheese do the talking.
• In the kitchen: White Stilton is brilliant crumbled through salads or into mashed potato, and it works really well in savoury tarts and pastries. You get lovely creamy richness without the distinctive flavour of a blue cheese.

Jen’s note: Most people know White Stilton as the cheese with apricots or ginger in it. I think that’s a bit of a shame. Try the plain PDO cheese on its own and you might be surprised by just how much character there is without adding anything at all. Sometimes the simplest things really 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