Randy Chandler
Stilton cheese is a type of blue cheese, which is generally considered to be gluten-free. However, some people with gluten intolerance or celiac disease have reported adverse reactions to blue cheese, leading to a controversy over whether it is truly gluten-free. The controversy stems from the fact that some blue cheeses are made using mold spores grown on gluten-containing media, such as bread. While modern cheese-making techniques have reduced the use of bread as a mold-growing medium, some artisanal cheesemakers may still use traditional methods. To ensure that Stilton cheese is gluten-free, individuals with gluten sensitivities should look for certified gluten-free options or inquire about the manufacturer's practices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is Stilton Cheese Gluten-Free | Yes, Stilton is naturally gluten-free. However, cross-contamination can occur during storage, packaging, or handling processes. |
| Gluten-Free Diet-Friendly | Yes, Stilton is suitable for those on a gluten-free diet. |
| Risk of Contamination | There is a potential risk of listeria contamination. |
| Alternative Options | Rosenborg blue cheese is made using gluten-free mold cultures. BelGioso, Dutch Farms, Litehouse, Organic Valley, and Rogue Creamery also produce gluten-free blue cheese options. |
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What You'll Learn
Stilton is a blue cheese
Stilton cheese is naturally gluten-free. However, some of the moulds used to create blue cheeses are grown on gluten-based bread, and the mould spores are used in the cheese-making process. This has led to concerns about whether or not these cheeses contain gluten.
Stilton is often eaten with celery or pears and is commonly added as a flavouring to vegetable soups. It is otherwise eaten with various crackers, biscuits, or bread. It can be used to make a blue cheese sauce to be served drizzled over a steak or crumbled over a salad. Traditionally, a barley wine or port is paired with Blue Stilton, but it also goes well with sweet sherry or Madeira wine.
Stilton is a milder blue cheese with a buttery flavour and notes of cocoa. Its paste can range from dry and crumbly to almost fudge-like. It is light on the palate, with bursts of bright, peppery blue flavour throughout. The salty, savoury profile of Stilton begs for something sweet.
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Blue cheese is generally gluten-free
Blue cheese is a general term for veined cheeses made using blue mould spores called penicillium roqueforti. These mould spores may be grown on various media, including gluten-containing bread. If the penicillium roqueforti spores are grown on a medium containing wheat, and the spores contain wheat protein, then the final cheese product may contain gluten. However, the amount of gluten would likely be very small, and the cheese would probably not contain enough gluten to trigger a reaction in most people with gluten intolerance or coeliac disease.
According to a study sanctioned by the Canadian Celiac Association, blue cheese is acceptable for a gluten-free diet. The study tested five blue cheese and mould samples, three of which were made with mould cultured on gluten-containing media. No detectable levels of gluten were found in any of the samples. The Canadian Celiac Association has added blue cheese to its "Acceptability of Food and Food Ingredients for the Gluten-Free Diet" pocket dictionary.
However, some people with gluten intolerance or coeliac disease report experiencing reactions to blue cheese. Some blue cheese producers, such as Sargento, state that their blue cheese contains wheat gluten. If you are gluten intolerant or have coeliac disease, it is essential to carefully observe your body's response to blue cheese and consult with a healthcare professional if you have concerns.
To ensure that your blue cheese is completely gluten-free, you can look for blue cheeses cultured in wheat-based dextrose or gluten-free mould cultures. Rosenborg blue cheese, for example, is made using mould cultures that are gluten-free. BelGioso, Dutch Farms, Litehouse, Organic Valley, and Rogue Creamery also produce versions of blue cheese not fermented in gluten-based spores. You can also consult the Sure Foods "Living List of Gluten-Free Blue Cheese Products" and check the labels of blue cheese products before purchasing.
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Some blue cheeses are grown on gluten-based bread
Stilton cheese is naturally gluten-free, making it suitable for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease. However, some sources suggest that certain blue cheeses, including Stilton, may be grown on gluten-based bread, introducing the possibility of gluten contamination.
Blue cheese is a general term for veined cheeses made using blue mold spores called penicillium roqueforti. These spores may be grown on various mediums, including gluten-containing bread. For example, the spores used to make Roquefort, a type of blue cheese, may occasionally be grown on bread made from 100% rye flour or a mixture of rye and wheat flours. If the penicillium roqueforti spores were grown on a medium containing wheat, and the spores contained wheat protein, this could potentially introduce gluten into the cheese.
However, it is important to note that modern cheese-making techniques have largely obsoleted the need for bread as a mold-growing medium. Additionally, the amount of spores used in cheese-making is very small, making it unlikely for the final cheese product to contain significant levels of gluten. Indeed, a study sanctioned by the Canadian Celiac Association found no detectable levels of gluten in several blue cheese samples, including those made with mold cultured on gluten-containing media.
While the risk of gluten contamination in blue cheeses is generally low, individuals with severe gluten sensitivities or celiac disease may want to take extra precautions. Some blue cheese producers, such as Rosenborg, BelGioso, Dutch Farms, Litehouse, Organic Valley, and Rogue Creamery, specifically use mold cultures that are gluten-free. Additionally, individuals can look for certified gluten-free options or inquire about the manufacturer's practices to ensure their safety.
In summary, while Stilton cheese is generally considered gluten-free, some blue cheeses may be grown on gluten-based bread, potentially introducing trace amounts of gluten. However, the likelihood of this occurring is low, and there are gluten-free options available for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.
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Cross-contamination can occur during storage, packaging, or handling
Stilton cheese is naturally gluten-free, making it suitable for gluten-free diets. However, cross-contamination can occur during the storage, packaging, or handling processes.
Cross-contamination can occur when gluten-containing products are stored, packaged, or handled alongside gluten-free products. This can happen when manufacturers use the same equipment for multiple products or when products come into contact with each other during storage or transportation.
To minimize the risk of cross-contamination, manufacturers should implement strict procedures to separate gluten-free products from gluten-containing products. This includes dedicated equipment, storage areas, and handling procedures for gluten-free products. Additionally, regular cleaning and sanitizing of equipment and surfaces are crucial to prevent any accidental transfer of gluten.
If you have severe gluten sensitivities or celiac disease, it is essential to take extra precautions. Look for certified gluten-free options or inquire about the manufacturer's practices to ensure their products are safe for your consumption. Some manufacturers may have additional measures in place to guarantee the absence of gluten, such as testing their products for gluten content or using gluten-free ingredients and processes throughout their supply chain.
By being vigilant about cross-contamination risks and choosing certified gluten-free products or those from trusted manufacturers, individuals with gluten sensitivities can safely enjoy Stilton cheese as part of their gluten-free diet.
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Gluten-free Stilton recipes exist
Gluten-free recipes that include Stilton cheese do exist. For example, gluten-free Stilton croquettes can be made by coating them in cornflake crumbs or homemade gluten-free breadcrumbs.
While cheese is naturally gluten-free, some people with gluten intolerances or celiac disease are concerned about the presence of gluten in blue cheeses, including Stilton. This is because some blue cheeses are made with mould cultures grown on gluten-containing media, such as bread. However, modern cheese-making techniques have made the use of bread as a mould-growing medium mostly obsolete, and only a small number of blue cheeses available on the market contain gluten.
According to a study sanctioned by the Canadian Celiac Association, blue cheese is acceptable for a gluten-free diet. The study tested five blue cheese and mould samples, three of which were made with mould cultured on gluten-containing media. No detectable levels of gluten were found in any of the samples. This means that even those with celiac disease should be able to tolerate blue cheese without adverse effects.
However, some individuals with gluten intolerances or celiac disease may still react to blue cheeses. This may be due to cross-contamination during storage, packaging, or handling processes. If you have severe gluten sensitivities, it is recommended to look for certified gluten-free options or to inquire about the manufacturer's practices. Additionally, those with lactose intolerance should be aware that lactose is present in Stilton cheese, although aged cheeses typically contain very low levels.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Stilton is naturally gluten-free, making it suitable for those on a gluten-free diet. However, cross-contamination can occur during storage, packaging, or handling processes.
Cheeses are naturally gluten-free. However, some of the moulds used to create blue cheeses are grown on gluten-based bread, and the mould spores are used in the cheese-making process.
No, not all blue cheese is gluten-free. Sargento, for example, states on their website that their blue cheese contains wheat gluten.
If you are eating gluten-free because of a health diagnosis, be sure to check all ingredients for any risk from 'may contain' warnings or cross-contamination. If the label contains the words wheat, barley, rye, oats, or malt, or the company states their product is not gluten-free, it is best to avoid it.
Rosenborg blue cheese is made using mould cultures that are gluten-free. BelGioso, Dutch Farms, Litehouse, Organic Valley, and Rogue Creamery also produce versions of blue cheese not fermented in gluten-based spores.
