Shire Blue Cheese

Shire blue cheese is a semi-firm cheese made from the fresh cow’s milk and has vegetable rennet. It originates from England and has a creamy, tangy, and strong flavor that is, to some extent, similar to Cheddar. This dairy product includes Penicillium roqueforti, the same mold used for the blue cheese that makes the bluish veins in that type. For the first time, it was made in the 1970s in Scotland by a Scottish cheesemaker named Andy Williamson. He called it Inverness-Shire blue, but later on, it reached other islands of Britain by the name “Shropshire Blue.” Its name of Shropshire has nothing to do with this county, whereas it was chosen to get better popularity outside Scotland. Little by little, its popularity increased, and in 2014, the Shropshire blue cheese won the silver medal of the World Cheese Awards. The fat content of Shire blue cheese is around 48%, which makes it a perfect choice for vegetarians. This cheese needs between 45 – 60 days to ripen and includes a high percentage of minerals, calcium, and phosphorous. Additionally, it has edible Penicillium, which is beneficial for the digestive system. You can use it with toast or add it to sauces, salads, soups, and dips. This cheese can also be served with crackers, grapes, and turkey.