Stilton

What Is Stilton?

Stilton is a blue-veined, crumbly-textured cow's milk cheese produced in specific regions of England. It's known for its rich, sharp, and slightly spicy taste and is a cheese protected by a geographical indication.

It has two types, blue and white; blue stilton is the best known. It traditionally holds a place of honor on English cheese boards and is referred to as the "king of English cheeses".

Nutritional Values of Stilton

Like other blue mold cheeses, stilton contains approximately 350 kcal of energy per 100 grams, high protein, noticeable fat, and high calcium. Its salt content is high; values are given approximately from a similar blue mold cheese profile.

What Are the Benefits of Stilton?

With its calcium, protein, and B12 content, stilton can be considered part of a balanced diet. Since its salt and fat ratio is high, moderate consumption is recommended.

This information is general; stilton is a food, not a substitute for medical treatment.

How to Choose Stilton?

Quality stilton is cheese with a cream-colored body, evenly spread blue veins, a moist but crumbly texture, and a sharp-fresh smell. Dried-cracked or ammonia-smelling samples have gone past their prime.

• Body should be cream colored, blue veins should be evenly distributed
• Texture should be moist-crumbly, not overly dried
• Odor should be sharp but not ammonia-like or stale

How to Store Stilton?

Stilton is stored in the refrigerator, loosely wrapped in foil or wax paper; blue mold cheese needs to breathe and shouldn't be suffocated in an airtight bag. Bringing it to room temperature shortly before serving brings out its flavor.

Using Stilton in the Kitchen

Stilton is most often used on cheese boards, in the classic broccoli-stilton soup, in salads, and in sauces. Its crumbly structure makes it convenient for sprinkling on salads and melting into sauces.

Broccoli-Stilton Soup

Boiled and puréed broccoli has crumbled stilton added and melted in at the end of the heated soup; the cheese gives the soup a sharp, creamy taste.

Where Is Stilton Used?

Cheese boards, creamy soups, pear-walnut salads, and meat sauces are stilton's most common uses.

Which Recipes Use Stilton?

Broccoli-stilton soup, salad with stilton, cheese board, and steak with stilton sauce are its best-known uses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between stilton and gorgonzola?

Both are blue mold cheeses; stilton is English and firmer-more crumbly, gorgonzola is Italian and generally creamier. Stilton's flavor is also more earthy-sharp.

What is white stilton?

It's a fresh cheese without mold veins, produced in the same region as blue stilton; it's usually made with dried fruit (cranberry, apricot) added.

What pairs well with stilton?

It pairs very well with pear, walnut, fig, cranberry, and honey; in England it's traditionally associated with port wine.

How does stilton become so sharp?

The development of the blue mold throughout ripening and the cheese being aged for a long time give it its sharp, spicy taste.

Can stilton be frozen?

It can be frozen, but its texture becomes crumbly and its creaminess decreases; that's why it's best used in sauces and cooked dishes after thawing.