Blue Cheese

Type: Blue
Country: US
Name: Great Hill Blue
Description: Located on the shores of Buzzard's Bay, 50 Miles south of Boston, Great Hill Dairy in Marion, Massachusetts has been known for its outstanding herd of Guernsey cows, as well as for its prize-winning Acacia and Orchid collections. Great Hill produces a unique tasting blue cheese in its turn-of-the-century barn. Great Hill Blue is an internally ripened variety made with raw, unhomogenized milk resulting in a full-flavored smooth tasting cheese. The cheese has a rather dense and yellow curd, as no bleach or food colorings are added. Its texture is crumbly and slightly drier than Roquefort or Gorgonzola.

Type: Blue
Country: US
Name: Iowa:Maytag Blue
Description: Nestled in among the rolling hills of central Iowa is the Maytag appliance factory. Down the road and around the corner is the Maytag Dairy, which produces Maytag Blue cheese, among other, lesser-known cheeses. Yes, the two are related. Fritz Maytag, son of the founder of the Maytag washing machine company, decided he wanted to make his own entrepreneurial mark on the world. Shortly before World War II, he began working with scientists at Iowa State University to begin making a great American blue cheese, modeled after those of Europe. The result was one of the first American farmstead cheeses of superior quality. The dairy is now independent of the appliance company and collects milk from a local dairy cooperative, rather than raising its own cows. Maytag cheese makers, however, are still hand making the same cheese that they created in the 1930's. Maytag Blue's popularity has taken off with the growing interest in American farmstead cheeses, and this wonderful, tangy blue cheese is now featured on menus across the country. Its wonderful flavor, moist yet crumbly texture, and lemony finish make Maytag one of the world's great blue cheeses.

Type: Blue
Country: England
Name: Mature Blue Stilton
Description: The original pioneer of Blue Stilton, commonly referred to as "The King of Cheeses," was Mr. Cooper Thornhill, owner of the Bell Inn on the Great North Road in the town of Stilton. In 1730, Mr. Thornhill discovered a distinctive blue cheese while visiting a small farm in rural Leicestershire. He fell in love with the cheese and forged a business arrangement that granted the Bell Inn exclusive marketing rights to Blue Stilton. Soon thereafter, wagon loads of cheese were being delivered to the Inn. Since the main stagecoach routes from London to the North of England passed through the village of Stilton he was able to promote the sale of this cheese and the legend of Stilton rapidly spread far and wide. The extraordinary flavor comes from careful aging for a minimum of six months. This Stilton is produced in Leicestershire and is full, rich and creamy. Its shocking blue veins radiate outward from a natural, crinkly brown crust, revealing layers and folds of honeyed, cheddary flavor. We recommend this mature Stilton as a pure table (eating) cheese; it is too precious and delicious to submerge in a dressing or dip. ? Made from pasteurized cow's milk.

Type: Blue
Country: Italy
Name: Mountain Gorgonzola
Description: From Italy's Lombardy region comes the most imitated blue cheese in the world. Many cheeses falsely claim to be gorgonzola, but they always leave you singing the blues. Authentic Italian Gorgonzola comes in two varieties; Dolce - meaning sweet, and Mountain - the sharper and firmer version. Intensely delicious, Mountain Gorgonzola is mild yet tangy, creamy and firm with a pale white interior laced with streaks of blue. Enjoy Mountain Gorgonzola as a table cheese or as an ingredient in your favorite salad. Or try it the Italian way - on a plate drizzled with honey. Made from pasteurized cow's milk.

Type: Blue
Country: England
Name: Royal Blue Stilton
Description: Long known as "The King of Cheeses", Blue Stilton is one a handful of British cheeses granted the status of a "protected designation origin" (PDO) by the European Commission. Only cheese produced in the three counties of Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire and made according to a strict code may be called Stilton. There are just six dairies licensed to make Stilton, each being subject to regular audit by an independent inspection agency accredited to European Standard EN 45011. To be called Stilton, a cheese must: ? be made only in the three counties from local milk which is pasteurized before use ? be made only in a traditional cylindrical shape ? be allowed to form its own crust or coat ? be un-pressed ? have delicate blue veins radiating from the center ? have a taste profile typical of Stilton Made by the Long Clawson dairy, this product is perfect for snacking and as a part of the cheese course, but also is a wonderful cheese for salads and cooking.

Type: Blue
Country: England
Name: Royal Windsor
Description: Royal Windsor is a British creation, combining three wonderful flavors into one of the most visually striking cheeses the world has ever seen. The base cheese is cheddar, which is marbled with bright red, fruity Elderberry wine. Inside is a layer of veiny Blue Stilton, offering its tangy, distinctive flavor. The taste combination is extraordinary and the presentation will certainly draw many oohs and aahs at your next party. If you like Huntsman (Double Gloucester with Blue Stilton), then you must try Royal Windsor.

Type: Blue
Country: France
Name: Saint Agur - Select Cut
Description: St. Agur is made in the village of Monts du Velay in the Auvergne region of France. Made from cow's milk and ripened for at least 2 months, this is a rich creamy blue with a spicy blue flavor. Mild in flavor and not too salty in comparison to more traditional blues, St. Agur appeals to many palettes. Perfect spread on pear or apple slices, or just on some French bread or raisin bread. Because of its creamy nature, it melts well in sauces or just on top of chops.

Type: Blue
Country: US
Name: Berkshire Blue
Description: This cheese was born in 1999, borrowing a recipe from the blue made by the Willett Farm Dairy of Somerset, England. The main differences are that this cheese is made in Massachusetts, under license from Willet Farm, and that the domestic version is aged an extra 15 days at 35?F to comply with U.S. regulations regarding products made with raw milk. Like Willet Farm's blue, Berkshire Blue is made from whole unpasteurized Jersey cow?s milk. Whereas its English counterpart is sold in London?s leading specialty food stores, for example, Fortnum & Mason and Partridge?s, the US version is still very hard to find. This artisan cheese is made in small batches, starting with only 60 gallons of milk. Its production is done completely by hand, and by only one person. It is hand-stirred, hand-ladled and manually turned, resulting in an exceptionally creamy, smooth blue.

Type: Blue
Country: Germany
Name: Cambozola
Description: Cambozola, which is made by Kasseri Champignon in Bavaria, is a rich and creamy Camembert-type cheese with a bloomy white rind. Beneath its crust one finds streaks of tangy blue. Hence its name: the marriage of Camembert and Gorgonzola gives us Cambozola. Very popular all over the world, Cambozola is the perfect addition to the after-dinner cheese course and pairs well with fruit and nuts.

Type: Blue
Country: Italy
Name: Gorgonzola Dolce
Description: From Italy's Lombardy region comes the most imitated blue cheese in the world. Many cheeses falsely claim to be gorgonzola, but they always leave you singing the blues. Authentic Italian Gorgonzola comes in two varieties; Dolce - meaning sweet, and Mountain - the sharper and firmer version. Dating back to ancient times, this member of the stracchino family is one of the world's classic cheeses. Almost spreadable, Gorgonzola Dolce is supple and luxurious with an unmistakable tangy creaminess. Its pale white interior is laced with streaks of blue, giving Gorgonzola Dolce a striking appearance to match its piquant flavor. Enjoy Gorgonzola Dolce as a table cheese, spread thickly on a piece of crusty baguette, or as an ingredient in your favorite salad dressing. ? Made from pasteurized cow's milk.

Type: Blue
Country: England
Name: Huntsman
Description: Huntsman is the marriage of two delicious British classics, Double Gloucester and Blue Stilton, brought together through a complex layering process. Creamy, forceful Stilton is sandwiched between an exterior of mellow, satiny Double Gloucester. The result is an excellent flavor combination that is as delicious as it is beautiful. While some purists may turn their noses up at modern creations like Huntsman, one taste led us to appreciate this English application of technology and innovation. ? Made from pasteurized cow's milk.

Type: Blue
Country: Argentina
Name: San Ignacio Blue
Description: Blue cheese originated in France, the first being Roquefort. The techniques for producing blue cheese were perfected over the centuries, during which time the recipe for blue cheese spread across the globe. Monks were instrumental in this global learning, as they brought the secrets of cheesemaking with them in their endeavors. Nowadays, the Cheese Masters at San Ignacio in Santa Fe, Argentina make blue cheese with the same passion and expertise as those before them. Made from rich, creamy pasteurized cow's milk, the blue mold spores which give this cheese its characteristic color and flavor are imported from France. San Ignacio Blue has a soft, creamy and crumbling texture that displays a balanced contrast between its white color and the greenish blue veins. Excellent crumbled over salads or in numerous recipes; San Ignacio Blue is also a delicious snacking cheese when served with fruit and crusty French bread.

Type: Blue
Country: New Zeland
Name: Windsor Blue - Select Cut
Description: This award winning blue comes from the limestone country of the central South Island of New Zealand. It is named after the township of Windsor, nestled in the heart of North Otago's downlands. This high cream blue has a fantastic rich and full-bodied flavor produced through a combination of premium raw materials and a unique blue culture. ? Windsor Blue is New Zealand's most decorated cheese with 9 trophies and 9 gold medals. ? Whitestone Cheese recently scooped 3 awards from the 2005 New Zealand Cheese Awards, which included winning the Champion Cheesemaker award for Whitestone's Jason Tarrant. Congratulations!

Type: Blue
Country: US
Name: Cornish Bleu
Description: A new handmade blue cheese. Rounded and mellow with a naturally crusty rind. Matured for around 2 months