Although cheese is a staple of many people's diets, it can be easy to forget how many kinds there actually are. Simply adding a sprinkle of the grated substance to your meals will enhance the flavour, but it can be even better when you can choose the exact type to suit your dish. One cheese that gets talked about a lot is blue cheese, but what actually is it? Read on to find out.
 

What is blue cheese?

Characterised by a sharp, salty taste and particularly strong scent, blue cheese is a bit like marmite in that some people love it while others hate it. This is because it's actually made using cultures of edible mould penicillin. This quickly puts some people off, though others claim to love the unforgettable flavour.

Since the term blue cheese is used to describe any types which are created using this mould, there are lots of kinds which fall under it. This includes English Stilton, French Roquefort, and Italian Gorgonzola. There are some differences between these that give them their distinct flavours, though. For example, Roquefort is made from ewe's milk instead of cows. As well as this, the latter two are ripened in caves, which gives them a very unique flavour due to the moistness in the air.

 

How is blue cheese made?

The blue and green veins are what make these cheeses so instantly recognisable, but how are they created? Well, put simply, the mould spores are mixed with the milk or curd and as the cheese ripens, the mould grows into cracks that are either natural or created for this purpose.

Where to try blue cheese

Whether you're a blue cheese lover, or you're a little wary, you can benefit from cheese hampers. These wonderful cheese gifts are perfect for any occasion and come in an endless variety of themed bundles so that you can gift the perfect package - or enjoy it all to yourself!

At The Chuckling Cheese Co, our luxury cheese hampers mean you can pick a selection which will allow you to try some blue cheese but will include lots of others in case you decide it's not for you. We even have a cheese subscription option specifically without blue cheese if you really don't like it!

So, treat your loved one today with one of our luxury cheese gifts.