Shropshire Blue facts for kids
Shropshire Blue is a special kind of blue cheese from the United Kingdom. It is made from cow's milk and has a unique orange color with blue veins. This cheese is known for its strong, tangy flavor.
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The Story of Shropshire Blue Cheese
Shropshire Blue cheese was first made in the 1970s. A cheesemaker named Andy Williamson created it in Inverness, Scotland. He had learned how to make another famous cheese called Stilton cheese.
At first, this new cheese had different names like 'Inverness-shire Blue' or 'Blue Stuart'. But soon, it was called 'Shropshire Blue'. This name was chosen to make the cheese more popular, even though it had no real connection to the county of Shropshire in England.
Where Shropshire Blue is Made Today
The first dairy that made Shropshire Blue closed in 1980. Later, other cheesemakers in places like Cheshire tried to make it again. Today, Shropshire Blue is made by several dairies in Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire. Since 2010, the Shropshire Cheese Company, located near the Welsh border, has also been making it.
There is another idea about where the cheese first came from. Some people believe it started in Shropshire itself during the 1970s. An old article from 1977 seems to support this idea.
Ludlow Blue: A Similar Cheese
A cheese similar to Shropshire Blue is called Ludlow Blue. It is made in Shropshire by a small, special dairy. Ludlow Blue uses a different ingredient called carotene to give it a more yellow color, instead of the usual annatto.
What is Shropshire Blue Cheese Like?
Shropshire Blue is a type of blue cheese. It is made from cow's milk that has been pasteurized. This means the milk is heated to kill any harmful germs. The cheese also uses vegetable rennet, which helps the milk turn into cheese.
Color and Texture
The bright orange color of Shropshire Blue comes from a natural food coloring called annatto. The blue veins you see inside the cheese are made by a special mold called Penicillium roqueforti.
This cheese has a natural rind that is deep orange-brown. It usually ages for about 10 to 12 weeks. Shropshire Blue is a soft cheese, much like Stilton. It has a strong, sharp flavor and smells a bit tangy. It can taste a little sour, but it is often creamier and sharper than Stilton cheese.
See also
In Spanish: Shropshire (queso) para niños
