Frederic Melton
Harrogate Blue is an exquisite, full-bodied, award-winning blue cheese with an interesting fruity tang and a subtle peppery finish. It is made in Yorkshire, England, and has a striking orange colour and a creamy, rich, buttery texture. But is it suitable for vegetarians? The answer depends on the interpretation of vegetarianism. Traditional blue cheese involves using rennet, derived from animal sources, which may not align with strict vegetarian diets. However, some manufacturers offer vegetarian-friendly alternatives using microbial or vegetable-based rennet.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vegetarian-friendly | No, Harrogate Blue is a blue cheese, and the cheese-making process involves the use of rennet, which is derived from animal sources. |
| Appearance | Harrogate Blue has a striking orange colour with delicate blue veins. |
| Texture | Harrogate Blue has a creamy richness and a buttery, velvety texture. |
| Taste | Harrogate Blue has a tangy, peppery taste with a fruity tang and mellow blue notes. |
| Awards | Harrogate Blue won a Super Gold at the World Cheese Awards in 2017 and two Golds at the same awards in 2018 and 2019. |
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What You'll Learn
Harrogate Blue is made in Yorkshire, England
Harrogate Blue is a blue cheese made in Yorkshire, England, that has won several top awards on the international cheese stage. It is made near Thirsk, Yorkshire, and has a striking orange colour and a creamy richness that leads to a tangy, peppery taste sensation. While traditional blue cheese may not be suitable for strict vegetarians due to the use of rennet derived from animal sources, Harrogate Blue is made from pasteurised milk and is suitable for vegetarians.
Yorkshire Blue, made in the same region, was the first blue cheese produced by Shepherds Purse Cheeses, a family farming business, and the first blue cheese made in Yorkshire in 30 years. It is a mild, creamy, and tasty blue cheese that has also won multiple awards, including being judged the Best English Cheese at the International Cheese & Dairy Awards in 2018.
The process of making blue cheese typically involves the use of rennet, which is derived from animal sources such as calves' stomachs. This means that traditional blue cheese may not align with strict vegetarian diets. However, some blue cheese manufacturers offer vegetarian-friendly alternatives by using microbial or vegetable-based rennet.
Harrogate Blue and Yorkshire Blue are both suitable for vegetarians, as they are made with pasteurised milk and do not contain animal rennet. This makes them good options for those who follow a vegetarian diet but wish to enjoy the flavour and texture of blue cheese.
In terms of taste and texture, Harrogate Blue has been compared to an aged Gouda, with a fruity tang and a smooth texture. It is a versatile cheese that can be enjoyed in sandwiches, at the end of a meal, or in recipes that call for blue cheese, such as scrambled eggs. Yorkshire Blue, on the other hand, is described as having a mild, creamy, and smooth texture with lovely blue veining. It is recommended to be consumed at room temperature to fully appreciate its flavour.
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It has a striking orange colour and creamy texture
Harrogate Blue is an award-winning blue cheese that delivers both in its appearance and taste. It has a striking orange colour and a creamy texture. The cheese is matured for eight weeks, resulting in a mild, sweet, and full-bodied flavour with a buttery texture and delicate blue veins. This unique combination earned it a Super Gold at the World Cheese Awards in 2017, where a panel of experts voted it the 11th best cheese in the world.
The orange colour of Harrogate Blue is a distinctive feature that is sure to dazzle any cheese board. While the exact reason for its orange hue is not clear, it may be due to the presence of natural colourants in the cheese-making process, such as annatto, which is often used to give cheese a yellow or orange shade. This natural dye is derived from the seeds of the achiote tree and is commonly used in food products to enhance their appearance.
The creamy texture of Harrogate Blue is another defining characteristic. This richness contributes to the overall taste experience, leading to a tangy, peppery sensation on the palate. The creaminess also provides a harmonious blend of mellow blue notes, resulting in a subtle peppery finish. The cheese's texture is described as velvety and luxurious, adding to its overall appeal.
Harrogate Blue's striking orange colour and creamy texture make it a visually appealing and indulgent cheese. Its complex flavour profile, combining sweetness, tanginess, and peppery notes, has earned it critical acclaim and a dedicated following. This artisan cheese, crafted by Yorkshire cheesemaker Shepherd's Purse, showcases the region's commitment to creating unique and award-winning dairy products.
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The cheese is matured for eight weeks
Harrogate Blue is a full-bodied, award-winning blue cheese with a buttery texture and a striking orange colour. It is made in Yorkshire, England, and has been a local favourite in Sainsbury's for over 20 years. The cheese is matured for eight weeks, resulting in a mild, creamy, and sweet flavour with a smooth texture and lovely blue veining. This maturation process has helped establish Harrogate Blue as one of the family-run business's most popular cheeses.
The eight-week maturation period is crucial to the development of Harrogate Blue's unique characteristics. During this time, the cheese transforms from a fresh curd into a mild, sweet, and creamy delight. The blue veins that give the cheese its name and distinctive appearance begin to form and develop, contributing to its overall flavour and texture.
The process of maturing blue cheese involves carefully controlling temperature and humidity to encourage the growth of the Penicillium mould culture. This mould culture is responsible for the blue veins and the characteristic blue colour of the cheese. The mould breaks down the curd, contributing to the creamy texture and developing the cheese's unique flavour profile.
During the maturation process, the cheese is typically pierced with thin needles to allow air to penetrate the cheese and encourage the growth of the mould culture. This process, known as "needling" or "piercing," helps control the development of the blue veins and ensures even distribution throughout the cheese.
The specific duration of the maturation process, in this case, eight weeks, is carefully determined by the cheesemakers to achieve the desired balance of flavour and texture. A shorter maturation time might result in a milder cheese with less pronounced blue veins, while a longer maturation period could lead to a stronger, more pungent flavour and increased vein development.
In summary, the eight-week maturation process of Harrogate Blue cheese is integral to its distinctive characteristics. It contributes to the cheese's mild, creamy, and sweet flavour, smooth texture, and visually appealing blue veins. This careful maturation has helped establish Harrogate Blue as an award-winning and widely enjoyed cheese.
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Harrogate Blue is made with animal-derived rennet, so it is not vegetarian
Harrogate Blue is a full-bodied, award-winning blue cheese with a striking orange colour and a delicious buttery texture. It is made near Thirsk, Yorkshire, and has been described as having a bit of the flavour of an aged gouda. However, despite its exquisite taste and appearance, Harrogate Blue is not vegetarian-friendly.
The cheese-making process for blue cheese typically involves the use of rennet, which is derived from animal sources such as calves' stomachs. This means that traditional blue cheese may not align with strict vegetarian diets. While some manufacturers offer vegetarian-friendly alternatives by using microbial or vegetable-based rennet, Harrogate Blue is not one of them.
The use of animal-derived rennet in cheese production is a long-standing tradition and is crucial to the distinctive flavour and texture of blue cheeses like Harrogate Blue. Rennet is a complex mixture of enzymes that play a vital role in the coagulation of milk, helping to transform it into cheese. While there are now vegetarian alternatives to rennet, many cheesemakers continue to use traditional methods and ingredients, including animal-derived rennet.
As a result, those following a strict vegetarian diet may need to avoid Harrogate Blue and other similar cheeses. However, it's important to note that vegetarianism can vary in its interpretations, and some individuals may have different comfort levels with certain ingredients or practices. Ultimately, the decision to consume animal-derived rennet or not is a personal choice that depends on one's dietary preferences and restrictions.
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Some manufacturers offer vegetarian-friendly blue cheese made with microbial rennet
Harrogate Blue is a full-bodied, award-winning blue cheese with a buttery texture and a striking orange colour. It is made in Yorkshire, near Thirsk, and has been described as having a "luxurious creaminess that unfolds into a harmonious blend of mellow blue notes, culminating in a subtle peppery finish".
While traditional blue cheese may not be suitable for strict vegetarians due to the use of animal-derived rennet in the cheese-making process, some manufacturers offer vegetarian-friendly alternatives. These alternatives are made with microbial or vegetable-based rennet, ensuring that the cheese aligns with vegetarian diets.
The Harrogate Blue cheese, in particular, is produced by the family-owned dairy Shepherd's Purse, which was established by Judy Bell MBE in the 1980s and is now run by her two daughters, Caroline Bell and Katie Matten. The company takes pride in creating award-winning, artisan cheeses, and their commitment to quality has led to successful partnerships with retailers like Sainsbury's.
As such, it is possible that Shepherd's Purse may offer a vegetarian-friendly version of their Harrogate Blue cheese made with microbial rennet. This would allow vegetarians to enjoy the unique flavour and texture of Harrogate Blue while adhering to their dietary preferences.
By offering a vegetarian-friendly option, Shepherd's Purse could expand their customer base to include those who follow a vegetarian lifestyle. This inclusive approach to cheese production ensures that a wider range of consumers can enjoy their award-winning products, showcasing the company's dedication to accessibility and innovation in the cheese industry.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Harrogate Blue cheese is not suitable for strict vegetarians as the cheese-making process involves the use of rennet, which is derived from animal sources.
Harrogate Blue cheese is made from cow's milk.
Harrogate Blue is a full-bodied, creamy cheese with a buttery texture and a subtle peppery finish.
Harrogate Blue has a velvety texture with delicate blue veins.
Harrogate Blue cheese is available at Sainsbury's stores across the North of England.
