Why Stilton is not the only blue cheese worthy cutting into this Christmas
Liven up your cheeseboards this Christmas with one (or all) of our top picks of blue cheeses.
The perfect cheeseboard consists of a rich hard cheese, a creamy soft and a pungent blue. Synonymous with Christmas a blue stilton pdo is a popular choice for any slate board. Chosen for its complex flavour a good stilton is made with milk from the tale-end of the summer season and aged for three months to develop its traditional tangy flavour that is enriched by dairy, umami notes. No doubt moreish but a comfortable fail-safe. The blue cheese selection is packed with an exciting array of options just as worthy an eat this festive season. So if you’re ready to ditch the stilton this year try out any or all of our top picks of alternative blues.
Fourme D Ambert
A stunning pick, perfect for those really looking for a change. Dotted with dark blue/grey moulding, this creamy looking cheese is a sweet tasting blue with a delicious milky, salty taste. Mild but with a subtle bitterness, guest will be wowed by its tangy yet fruity body and woody tasting rind.
Per Las
Rich and complex in flavour, best suited to those who enjoy a strong taste. Per Las (meaning blue pearl) has a robust farmy taste and plenty of saltiness partly coming from its sea-salt-rubbed rind. Chalky-smooth in texture, the cheese has a subtle creaminess and mild bitter notes that develop pleasantly with each bite.
Gorgonzola Dolce
Meltingly soft. This blue is beautifully balanced in sweetness. Its roasted apple scent translates a fruity taste on the palate. A touch of bitterness complements the sweet notes. You will be pleased with its mild creaminess and deliciously ashy-tasting rind.
Stichelton
Ideal for those who don’t want to stray too far from the stilton taste. The stichelton has a rounded saltiness with a sweet, creamy taste. You will adore its delicious mushroomy rind and strong umami taste that has a marmite-like quality.
Tempted to give one of these cheeses a go? Head to Paxton and Whitfield.
Janet Leigh is the acting food testing manager at the GHI. From Easter in January to Christmas in July (and all that falls in-between), she leads the taste test team as they munch their way through sample after sample trying to find you the best products on the market. Whether it’s the latest trending foods or your cupboard staples, she covers it all. She now writes for Digital Spy
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