Stichelton – 250g

Description

Stichelton, handcrafted by Joe Schneider in Cuckney, Nottinghamshire, is an exceptional blue cheese made using unpasteurised milk according to traditional methods. This cheese is renowned for its creamy, nutty taste accompanied by a rich yet subtle blue note.

Joe Schneider has been instrumental in reviving a treasured piece of British cheesemaking heritage since 2006. By setting up his operations at Collingthwaite Farm on the Welbeck Estate in Nottinghamshire, Joe aimed to restore the traditional farmhouse, raw milk version of Britain’s most iconic blue cheese. His approach avoids modern industrial methods by focusing on manual processes and using fresh, raw milk sourced directly from the farm, a mere 10 meters away.

Stichelton stands out due to its meticulous production process, involving slow acidification of the milk, traditional hand-ladling to drain the curd, and careful maturation. Unlike other blue cheeses, Stichelton is allowed to develop its unique ruby-red coat, preventing it from turning blue prematurely, thus enhancing its complexity and flavour profile. The cheese is pierced at about 10-12 weeks, later than usual, which allows for a slower aging process and results in a cheese that is toasty, sweet, and subtly blue, distinct from its more standardised counterparts. Joe chose the name ‘Stichelton’ to honour the historical roots of this artisanal cheese.