English White Stilton - Fair, Voluptuous and Pleasing

Long Clawson's White Stilton with Lemon Zest

My latest cheese addiction has turned to a White Stilton with Lemon Zest by Long Clawson's Dairy out of the U.K. This is a creamy culinary delight that's more like a decadent lemon cheesecake than a cheese. I literally had to force myself to stop before eating the entire wedge (it was a small one), the only reason being that I wanted to taste it again the next day.

Once again to my surprise, I found myself bringing home a cheese with stuff in it-- but so glad I did. White Stilton is the lesser known sister of her big brother, Blue Stilton, but both are protected by designation of origin status by the EU and only made in 3 counties in the United Kingdom guaranteeing an outstanding product.

Exceptionally creamy, buttery and rich the White Stilton has small pieces of candied lemon peel zest perfectly measured throughout so the result is not too sweet, but surprisingly satisfying-- only a small bite yields tremendous pleasure (curious, because lemon and cheese is not a combination I would normally put together). This lemony confection would be a perfect addition to a salad, and I found this great recipe over at Cheesemonger. But honestly, I don't think you're wedge will make it that long. It's no wonder that it's a best seller and beloved by the English.

In keeping with my New Year's resolution this year, I have several cheeses in the fridge: Camembert for Marin French Cheese Company, Havarti from Denmark's Best, Raclette from Artisanal Cheese and Red Dragon cheddar with mustard seeds and ale. I find it fascinating that essentially the same basic ingredients can yield such extraordinarily different results. I guess that's what makes cheese so beautiful.

Cheese Chasers Carrying On the Proud Tradition

Some traditions, like cheese chasing for instance, cannot be thwarted no matter what.

Such was the case of the Cooper's Hill Cheese Rolling event in England on May 31. For a century now, "Englishmen have been chasing a round of Double Gloucester down a steep hill in the Cotswolds" as Peter Moore writes in online publication, A Tangled Web.

What has become an extraordinarily popular event had to be cancelled this year, despite public sentiment, due to organizers' inability to manage traffic and crowds.

Nonetheless Chris Anderson, six time winning cheese rolling champion, made it out with 300 spectators in an unofficial cheese rolling contest. Five races were organized and Chris Anderson came away with the cheese once again in both the first and the last race, being the first to capture the 8 pound round of local cheddar.

For 22 years local cheesemaker and artisan, Diana Smart, has been lending her craft to what has become an important cheese tradition. She's now 82 years old, and has found a bit of celebrity status, making a cameo appearance in a music video by Maccabees because of the important role she plays in this cheese rolling fest. (See "Can You Give It" on YouTube.)

Apparently, the ties that bind cheese rolling fanatics cannot be severed easily. Thankfully for them, Cheese Rolling Committee has pledged to carry on the show next May.

Pure Sex and Romance in a Bottle

The new evocative fragrance from England captures one of the stinkiest cheeses of the world, Stilton Blue...

"The earthy and fruity aroma of Blue Stilton cheese in an eminently wearable perfume."
(shamelessly taken from NuSkoolBreaks Radio forum).

Not Chocolate, But Eggs Made Out of Cheese

 The UK's Asda supermarket chain, in a stoke of genius, have come up with an entirely new Easter gift idea:  waxed eggs made of cheese.

"Asda's cheese buyer Alex Bradbury commissioned eggs from producer Norseland, made from Wensleydale cheese with cranberries, caramel and organic maple syrup."

 The new Easter cheese eggs sell for £1 for each 100g egg as stated in the supermarket industry's online publication International Supermarket News.