Patrick Oconnell
Blue Monday is a blue cheese made by Alex James, a former member of the band Blur, in collaboration with Judy Bell. It is a pasteurised cow's milk cheese with a creamy, sweet, savoury, spicy, and rich complex flavour. The cheese has bold cracks and blue streaks with a thin natural rind. But is Blue Monday cheese vegetarian?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vegetarian | Yes |
| Created by | Alex James, a former band member of Blur |
| Weight | 180g, 650g |
| Flavour | Savoury, spicy, sweet, creamy, salty |
| Texture | Bold cracks, blue streaks, smooth |
| Rind | Thin, natural, edible |
| Awards | Gold at the British Cheese Awards 2017, Silver at the World Cheese Awards in 2019 |
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What You'll Learn
Blue Monday is a vegetarian cheese
Blue cheese typically involves a cheese-making process that uses rennet, which is derived from animal sources such as calves' stomachs. This means that traditional blue cheese may not be suitable for strict vegetarians. However, some manufacturers, including Blue Monday, offer vegetarian-friendly alternatives. These alternatives use microbial or vegetable-based rennet, making the cheese suitable for vegetarians.
Blue Monday cheese is produced by a skilled team of artisans at Shepherds Purse in Thirsk, North Yorkshire. The company was started by cheesemaker Judy Bell, who is now joined by her two daughters, making this an all-female cheesemaking team. In addition to their famous blue cheeses, Yorkshire Blue and Harrogate Blue, they also produce a range of other cheeses, including sheep's milk and water buffalo milk varieties.
Blue Monday has received positive reviews from customers, who describe it as a "lovely, rich blue cheese" with a smooth texture and a pleasant taste. It is often recommended by those who have tried it, and it has won several awards, including Gold at the British Cheese Awards 2017 and Silver at the World Cheese Awards in 2019.
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It is made from pasteurised cow's milk
Blue Monday cheese is made from pasteurised cow's milk. Pasteurisation is a process in which milk is heated to a specific temperature for a set period of time to destroy harmful bacteria. This process not only kills pathogens but also extends the shelf life of the milk and any products made from it, such as cheese.
The process of making cheese from milk typically involves adding bacteria and/or rennet to cause the milk to curdle and separate into solid curds and liquid whey. The curds are then pressed together to form a solid mass of cheese. In the case of Blue Monday cheese, the milk is first pasteurised before adding the bacteria and/or rennet to begin the cheese-making process.
Cow's milk is a good choice for cheese-making due to its high protein and fat content, which contribute to the characteristic flavour, texture, and meltability of the final cheese product. The specific breed of cow, their diet, and the time of year can also impact the composition and flavour of the milk, and thus the resulting cheese.
Blue Monday cheese, in particular, is known for its rich, complex flavour, described as faintly sweet, intensely savoury, and spicy. It has a creamy texture with bold cracks and blue streaks throughout, characteristic of blue cheese. The cheese is matured for a minimum of 12 weeks, during which time its flavour continues to develop and intensify.
As for the vegetarian status of Blue Monday cheese, while it is made from pasteurised cow's milk, the process of cheesemaking typically involves the use of rennet, which can be derived from animal sources. However, some sources indicate that Blue Monday cheese is suitable for vegetarians, suggesting that it may use microbial or vegetable-based rennet instead.
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It has a faintly sweet, savoury, spicy and complex flavour
Blue Monday cheese is a pasteurised blue cow's milk cheese with a faintly sweet, savoury, spicy, and complex flavour. The cheese is rich, creamy, and smooth, with bold cracks and blue streaks. It is matured for a minimum of 12 weeks, during which it develops a wonderfully soft, mellow, and creamy texture. The thin natural rind of the cheese is edible and adds a savoury note to the overall taste experience.
The faint sweetness of Blue Monday is subtle and delicate, providing a pleasant contrast to the more pronounced savoury and spicy notes. The savouriness of the cheese is intense and robust, adding depth and character to the flavour profile. The spice notes are carefully balanced, providing a pleasant warmth and a subtle kick without being overpowering.
The complexity of Blue Monday's flavour is derived from the interplay of its various taste components. The sweet, savoury, and spicy notes come together harmoniously, creating a rich and sophisticated taste experience. The cheese also has a slight tanginess, adding to the overall complexity. The result is a cheese that is both intriguing and satisfying, offering a unique and memorable taste sensation.
The creamy texture of Blue Monday enhances the flavour by providing a smooth and indulgent mouthfeel. The cheese's softness and mellowness contribute to its overall richness, making it a truly indulgent experience. The bold cracks and blue streaks not only add visual appeal but also provide a subtle variation in texture, ensuring each bite is full of surprises.
Blue Monday's flavour is versatile and can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes. It can be melted into a sauce, crumbled over a salad, or simply enjoyed on its own. Its complex flavour makes it a great choice for those who appreciate a more sophisticated taste experience, while its creaminess and sweetness make it accessible and enjoyable for those who may not typically enjoy blue cheese.
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It has bold cracks and blue streaks with a thin natural rind
Blue Monday cheese is a pasteurised blue cow's milk cheese with a rich, complex flavour. It is faintly sweet, intensely savoury, and spicy. The cheese has bold cracks and blue streaks with a thin natural rind. The rind is edible and has notes of herbs and minerals.
Blue Monday is made by the team at Shepherds Purse in Thirsk, North Yorkshire. The company started by making cheese from sheep's milk but has since expanded to include cow's milk and water buffalo milk cheeses. Today, they are best known for their blue cheeses, Yorkshire Blue and Harrogate Blue, which have won several awards.
Blue Monday is created by Alex James, a former band member of Blur, who turned cheesemaker. James named the cheese after his favourite New Order song. It is available in 180g and 650g portions and is suitable for vegetarians.
The cheese has a creamy texture and is often described as having a "'smoothness' with 'virtually no bitterness'". It is a popular choice for those who enjoy blue cheese, with many positive reviews commenting on its rich flavour and creamy texture.
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It is made by Alex James, a former member of the band Blur
Blue Monday cheese is made by Alex James, a former member of the band Blur. In 2003, James left his rock 'n' roll lifestyle behind and moved to a 200-acre farm in a small village located between Chipping Norton and Stowe-on-the-Wold. There, he converted his stone outbuildings into cheesemaking rooms. He is now a passionate cheesemaker, fluent on the subject.
James created Blue Monday in collaboration with Judy Bell of Shepherds Purse in Thirsk, North Yorkshire. The cheese is a pasteurised, blue cow's milk cheese with a faintly sweet, intensely savoury, spicy, and rich complex flavour. It has bold cracks and blue streaks with a thin natural rind. The cheese is matured for a minimum of 12 weeks and comes as a wheel weighing approximately 1.2kg.
Blue Monday has won several awards, including Gold at the British Cheese Awards 2017 and Silver at the World Cheese Awards in 2019. It has received positive reviews from customers, who describe it as creamy, smooth, and rich in flavour.
As a blue cheese, Blue Monday may not be suitable for strict vegetarians due to the use of rennet, which is often derived from animal sources. However, some sources indicate that Blue Monday is suitable for vegetarians, suggesting that it may use microbial or vegetable-based rennet instead.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Blue Monday cheese is vegetarian. It is a pasteurised, blue cow's milk cheese created by Alex James, a former member of the band Blur, and is faintly sweet, savoury, spicy, and rich in flavour.
Blue Monday cheese is made from cow's milk.
Blue Monday cheese costs £4.50 per 100g.
