Kamil Perry
Blacksticks Blue Cheese is a soft, blue-veined cheese with a creamy, buttery texture and a tangy flavour. It is made from pasteurized cow's milk and aged for about eight weeks, during which it develops a distinctive amber hue. The cheese is suitable for vegetarians and can be used in a variety of dishes, such as salads, sandwiches, or melted as a topping. It pairs well with sweet or sharp flavours, beef, and other savoury ingredients.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Soft, blue-veined cheese |
| Texture | Creamy, buttery, smooth |
| Taste | Tangy, salty |
| Colour | Golden, amber, orange |
| Preparation | Crumble, slice, melt |
| Pairing | Beef, chicory leaves, radishes, blackberries, crackers, bread |
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What You'll Learn
Blacksticks Blue Cheese: a soft, blue-veined cheese
Blacksticks Blue Cheese is a soft, blue-veined cheese with a creamy, buttery texture and a tangy flavour. It is made from pasteurized cow's milk and crafted in open vats, then poured into individual moulds, turned by hand, and matured for eight weeks. During this time, it develops a distinctive amber hue and a smooth, spreadable consistency. The cheese is suitable for vegetarians and can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes, from salads to sandwiches.
When it comes to preparing Blacksticks Blue Cheese, there are several ways to showcase its unique characteristics. One popular way to use this cheese is to pair it with bitter, crisp chicory leaves, crunchy radishes, and sweet-tart blackberries in a salad. The blue cheese adds a creamy texture and a tangy flavour to the salad, creating a delicious contrast with the other ingredients.
Blacksticks Blue Cheese is also excellent when paired with beef. Its salty tang complements the umami-rich flavours of steak, and it can be used in a variety of ways. For a simple yet elegant dish, try slicing a medium-rare rib-eye and covering it with crumbled Blacksticks Blue. Serve it with dressed leaves and sweet figs for a quick and easy meal that's sure to impress.
In addition to salads and steak dishes, Blacksticks Blue Cheese is versatile enough to be used in sandwiches, melted on crackers, or as a substitute for cheddar in recipes. Its mild flavour makes it accessible to those who typically find blue cheeses too strong, and its golden orange hue adds a beautiful colour to any dish.
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Made with pasteurised cow's milk
Blacksticks Blue Cheese is made with pasteurised cow's milk. It is a soft, blue-veined cheese with a creamy, buttery texture and a tangy flavour. The cheese is aged for about eight weeks, during which it develops a distinctive amber hue. The orange colour of the cheese is obtained by the use of Annatto, a natural product of a South American shrub.
Blacksticks Blue is a versatile cheese that can be enjoyed in many ways. It can be spread on bread or crackers, crumbled over a salad, melted on a steak, or used in cooking. The cheese pairs well with sweet or sharp flavours, such as bitter chicory leaves, crunchy radishes, sweet blackberries, or figs. It can also be used to add depth and complexity to dishes, such as burgers or sandwiches, where it can be melted or switched with cheddar for a more intense flavour.
The cheese is made by Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses, a family-owned business in Lancashire, using traditional handmade methods. The milk for the cheese comes from herds within a 10km radius of their Lancashire family dairy, and the cheese is crafted in open vats, then poured into individual moulds and turned by hand.
Blacksticks Blue has received accolades for its taste and quality, including gold stars at the Great Taste Awards in 2021 and 2023. It is regarded as one of the UK's first contemporary blue cheeses and has been described as "the daddy of all blue cheeses" by Simon Rimmer.
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Aged for eight weeks
Blacksticks Blue is a soft, blue-veined cheese that is aged for about eight weeks. During this time, the cheese develops its distinctive flavour and texture. The ageing process is crucial to the character of the cheese.
The cheese is crafted in open vats, then poured into individual moulds and turned by hand. It is then matured under the watchful eyes of cheese experts. This hands-on process ensures the cheese reaches the perfect level of maturity.
During the eight weeks of ageing, the cheese takes on a golden or amber hue and a smooth, creamy texture. This is when the cheese develops its famous "tang". The blue in the cheese is moderate and not overpowering, making it accessible to those who usually find blue cheese too strong.
Blacksticks Blue is made by Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses in Lancashire, UK. It is crafted using traditional, handmade methods and milk from the herds of the family and their friends within a 10km radius of their Lancashire family dairy. The result is a contemporary British blue cheese with a mild flavour and a distinctive bite.
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Has a creamy, buttery texture
Blacksticks Blue Cheese is a golden-hued, blue-veined cheese with a creamy, buttery texture. It is made from pasteurised cow's milk and aged for about eight weeks, during which it develops its distinctive colour and texture. The cheese is soft enough to spread on bread or crackers, and its creamy texture makes it perfect for melting. Its mild flavour and smooth, tangy taste make it a versatile ingredient in the kitchen.
When preparing Blacksticks Blue Cheese, its creamy, buttery texture makes it ideal for a variety of dishes. Its softness allows it to be easily spread, crumbled, or melted, adding a creamy element to recipes. This cheese can be used to create a range of appetisers, meals, and salads. For instance, it can be spread on crackers or bread, melted over steak, or crumbled over a salad. Its versatility allows it to be paired with sweet or sharp flavours, adding depth and complexity to dishes.
The creamy, buttery texture of Blacksticks Blue Cheese also makes it a perfect melting cheese for recipes that require a smooth, creamy consistency. It can be used in sauces, soups, or dips, adding a tangy and buttery flavour. Its meltability makes it a great option for grilled cheese sandwiches, paninis, or cheesy toasts. The cheese's mild flavour ensures that it complements other ingredients without overwhelming them.
Additionally, the creamy texture of Blacksticks Blue Cheese can be utilised in baked dishes. It can be incorporated into pasta bakes, casseroles, or stuffed dishes, adding a creamy and tangy element. Its buttery flavour enhances the taste of other ingredients and creates a rich, indulgent mouthfeel. The cheese's ability to melt and blend seamlessly into recipes makes it a versatile option for creating creamy, savoury dishes.
Blacksticks Blue Cheese's creamy, buttery texture is a defining characteristic that sets it apart from other cheeses. This texture not only makes it a delicious cheese to enjoy on its own but also a versatile ingredient in a wide range of recipes. Its ability to be spread, crumbled, or melted, along with its mild flavour, makes it a perfect addition to appetisers, salads, and baked dishes, providing endless possibilities for creative culinary explorations.
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Can be used in salads, melted, or on cheeseboards
Blacksticks Blue Cheese is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes. Here are some ideas on how to prepare and use this award-winning cheese:
Salads:
Blacksticks Blue Cheese is a great addition to salads. Its creamy texture and tangy flavour can complement bitter, crisp leaves like chicory, crunchy radishes, and sweet, tart blackberries. The cheese adds a contrast of flavours and brings everything together to create a delicious and nutritious salad. You can also pair it with beef, as the salty tang of the cheese complements the umami-rich flavours of steak. Try adding crumbled Blacksticks Blue Cheese to slices of medium-rare rib-eye, served with dressed leaves and sweet figs, for a quick and easy dish.
Melted:
Blacksticks Blue Cheese is perfect for melting and can be used in a variety of recipes. You can use it as a topping for burgers or drizzle a blue cheese sauce over a perfectly cooked sirloin steak. Its mild flavour and creamy texture make it a great alternative to cheddar, adding depth and complexity to your dishes.
Cheeseboards:
Blacksticks Blue Cheese is an excellent choice for cheeseboards. Its distinctive amber hue and creamy, buttery texture will impress your guests. Pair it with sweet or sharp flavours to create a contrast. You can also enjoy it on its own, as its mild flavour is not overpowering, making it accessible to those who may not usually enjoy blue cheese.
Other Uses:
In addition to salads, melting, and cheeseboards, Blacksticks Blue Cheese can be used in a variety of other ways. It is soft enough to spread on bread or crackers and is perfect for cooking. Its versatility makes it a great ingredient to have on hand when preparing meals, whether it's a quick family dinner or a show-stopping recipe for a dinner party.
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Frequently asked questions
Blacksticks Blue is a soft, blue-veined cheese made by Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses in Lancashire. It is made from pasteurized cow's milk and aged for about eight weeks.
Blacksticks Blue has a creamy, buttery, and tangy flavour. It is considered a mild blue cheese, making it perfect for those who find other blue cheeses too strong.
Blacksticks Blue is a versatile cheese that can be crumbled, sliced, melted, or spread. It pairs well with sweet or sharp flavours, beef, salad, chicory leaves, radishes, and blackberries, and burgers. You can also use it as a topping for steak or as a blue cheese sauce.
Blacksticks Blue is a soft cheese with a creamy and smooth texture. It is spreadable and can be easily melted.
You can purchase Blacksticks Blue Cheese from various online retailers, such as The Cheese Society and Birkdale Cheese. It is also available for delivery from Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses, with letterbox-friendly packaging to fit through your letterbox.
