Dorset Blue Vinney facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dorset Blue Vinney |
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| Country of origin | England |
| Region, town | Dorset |
| Source of milk | Cows |
| Pasteurised | No |
| Texture | Hard, crumbly |
| Aging time | 6 weeks |
| Certification | Protected Geographical Indication |
Dorset Blue Vinney (often spelled "vinny") is a special type of blue cheese that comes from near Sturminster Newton in Dorset, England. It's made from cow's milk that has had the cream removed (called skimmed milk). This cheese is known for being hard and crumbly.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The name "Vinney" is a local word from Dorset. It's related to an old word "vinew," which means to get moldy. Another idea is that "vinny" comes from "veiny," because of the blue veins you see running through the cheese.
A Bit of History
For hundreds of years, Dorset Blue Vinney was a common cheese made on farms in Dorset. Farmers mostly focused on making butter because it was very popular and sold well in London. Making butter left them with lots of skimmed milk. Instead of wasting it, they turned it into this hard, crumbly cheese. Before railways, it was hard to get fresh milk to market, so making cheese and butter was very important for dairy farms.
Almost Lost, Then Found Again
After the Second World War, not many people made Dorset Blue Vinney anymore. Production almost stopped, and only a few farms still made it in small amounts. But in the 1980s, Woodbridge Farm in Dorset decided to bring it back. They found the old recipe and started making the cheese again, so now we can enjoy it once more!
Dorset's Own Poet
The Dorset poet William Barnes even wrote about this cheese in his poem "Praise O' Do'set." He asks:
- Woont ye have brown bread a-put ye,
- An' some vinny cheese a-cut ye?
Taste and Tradition
Dorset Blue Vinney often has a strong taste and smell. It's traditionally made from milk that hasn't been pasteurised (heated to kill germs). This cheese goes very well with Dorset knobs, which are another traditional food from Dorset.
Special Status
Dorset Blue Vinney has been given a special award called Protected Geographical Status. This means that only cheese made in Dorset can use the name "Dorset Blue Vinney." It helps protect the tradition and quality of the cheese.
A Local Legend
There's a fun local story about Dorset Blue Vinney. People say that in the past, if you ordered the cheese on the black market (meaning it was sold secretly), it would be left on your doorstep. This adds to the cheese's unique history!
See also
In Spanish: Dorset Blue para niños
