🧀 Stilton
Also known as: Blue Stilton, White Stilton, Stilton cheese
Stilton is an English PDO cheese made from pasteurised cow's milk in Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, as White, Blue and Mature or Vintage Blue Stilton.
Stilton is an English cheese with a protected designation of origin (PDO), made from pasteurised cow's milk in the counties of Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. According to the product specification it is made in three varieties: White Stilton, Blue Stilton, and Mature or Vintage Blue Stilton.
Making. The milk is full cream, pasteurised and standardised according to season. Starter culture and rennet (animal or non-animal) are added; the curd is cut, the next day cut into small blocks, milled into walnut-sized pieces, salted and put into cylindrical moulds. No pressure is applied: the cheese drains, settles into the drum shape and forms its own crust or coat. For the blue varieties Penicillium roqueforti is added to the milk or sprayed on the curd, and at about six weeks the cheeses are pierced with stainless steel needles so that air reaches the centre and the blue veining develops.
Varieties. White Stilton is white, flaky or crumbly and moist, with a fresh, clean, acidic flavour, and is ready after about seven days. Blue Stilton is typically graded at around six weeks and sold at 6 to 12 weeks, Mature Blue at 10 to 15 weeks and Vintage Blue at more than 15 weeks; the grade depends mainly on flavour and texture. All varieties have at least 48% milk fat in the dry matter.
Why it matters to you. The milk comes from dairy herds in the three counties (in times of shortage also from named neighbouring counties) and the cheese is made there. According to the specification, the cheese became known as Stilton because it was first sold to the public at the Bell Inn in the village of Stilton, a coaching stop on the road from London to York. Labels carry the word STILTON.
Facts
| Raw material | Pasteurised cow's milk 3 |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom (England) 3 |
| Region | Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire 3 |
| Duration | Blue 6–12 weeks, Mature 10–15, Vintage over 15; White about 7 days 3 |
| Legal basis | PDO since 1996, PDO-GB-0277 1 |
How it connects to Cheese
🧀 Stilton → similar → 🧀 Roquefort → kind of → 🧀 Cheese
Links
- Made from which milk
- 🥛 Cow's milk
- Part of
- 🔵 Blue cheeses, 🏷️ Protected cheese names, 🇬🇧 British cheeses
- Similar and different
- 🧀 Roquefort, 🧀 Buxton blue
Frequently asked questions
Where is Stilton made?
In the counties of Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, from pasteurised cow's milk from herds in those counties.
What is the difference between Blue Stilton and White Stilton?
Blue Stilton has blue-green mould veining radiating from the centre; White Stilton has none, is flaky or crumbly with a fresh, acidic flavour and is ready after about seven days.
Why is it called Stilton?
According to the specification, because the cheese was first sold to the public at the Bell Inn in the village of Stilton, a coaching stop between London and York.
Is it true that Stilton is made in the village of Stilton?
No. Under the specification it is made only in Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire; it took its name because it was first sold to the public at the Bell Inn in Stilton, on the London–York road.
Is Stilton pressed?
No. The curd is put into cylindrical moulds with no pressure: the cheese drains on its own, settles and forms its own crust.
What to read next
- 🧀 Roquefort — A French PDO blue cheese from raw Lacaune ewe's milk, ripened only in the caves of Mount Combalou at Roquefort-sur-Soulzon.
- 🧀 Buxton blue — Buxton blue is an English PDO blue cheese made from pasteurised cow's milk, with an even russet colour and blue veins, produced within 30 miles of Buxton.
Similar
🧀 Strachitunt · 🧀 Queso de Valdeón · 🧀 Gamonéu · 🧀 Picón Bejes-Tresviso · 🧀 Buxton blue · 🧀 Danablu
ℹ️ Dairy products contain lactose and milk proteins: if you are lactose intolerant or allergic to milk protein, ask a doctor.
Sources
- eAmbrosia — White Stilton cheese / Blue Stilton cheese (PDO-GB-0277)
- Commission Regulation (EC) No 1107/96 — registration of geographical indications
- Stilton Blue Cheese — product specification (Defra, GOV.UK)