Patrick Oconnell
Derby is a traditional British cheese made in Derbyshire, England, since the 16th century. It is a semi-hard cheese with a mild, buttery flavour and a creamy texture. The cheese is usually available in a creamy ivory to rich yellow colour. Over the years, several varieties of Derby cheese have been created, including Sage Derby, which is infused with sage to create a green marble effect and a subtle herbal flavour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Texture | Semi-hard, semi-firm, smooth, firm, compressed body, open texture |
| Flavor | Mild, buttery, creamy, nutty, slightly sweet, herbal, minty |
| Color | Pale golden orange, creamy ivory, rich yellow, green-veined, green-marbled |
| Type of milk | Cow's milk |
| Country of origin | England |
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What You'll Learn
- Derby cheese is a mild, semi-firm British cow's milk cheese
- It has a buttery, creamy flavour and a smooth, mellow texture
- Sage Derby is a variety of Derby cheese with a glorious green marble effect
- It is made by blending fresh garden sage into traditional Derby cheese curd
- The cheese is versatile and pairs well with fresh fruit and many wines
Derby cheese is a mild, semi-firm British cow's milk cheese
Derby cheese is usually allowed to mature for nine months and develops a smooth, creamy body and a nutty flavour. The cheese is made on farms, and when sold at a younger age, it has a springy and mild texture. As it matures, its texture becomes firmer, and subtle sweet flavours develop. The first creamery in the UK was set up by a group of farmers in the village of Longford, Derbyshire, where they pooled their milk to make cheese on a larger scale using techniques from the US.
Sage Derby is a variety of Derby cheese that has been infused with sage, giving it a glorious green marble effect and a subtle herbal flavour. It is semi-hard and delicate, with a mild sage flavour, and is well known for its versatility. The addition of sage to Derby cheese began in the 17th century, when sage was valued for its health-giving properties. The herb was believed to have benefits for general health and was added as a health tonic. Today, Sage Derby is a popular cheese for special occasions, particularly during the holiday season, and it pairs well with fresh fruit and many wines.
The process of making Sage Derby involves blending fresh garden sage into traditional Derby cheese curd during production. This allows the sage flavour to develop as the cheese matures, usually for one to three months. The natural rind of Sage Derby is often dusted with sage, and the cheese is known for its striking appearance on a cheeseboard. Some producers may use spinach juice or vegetable dyes to enhance the green colour of the cheese, resulting in a strong vegetable flavour.
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It has a buttery, creamy flavour and a smooth, mellow texture
Derby cheese is a traditional British cheese that has been made in Derbyshire, England, since the 16th century. It is semi-hard and made from cow's milk. The cheese has a creamy ivory to rich yellow colour and a mild, buttery, and creamy flavour. Its texture is smooth and mellow.
Derby cheese is often compared to mild cheddar due to its texture and melting characteristics. However, Derby has a milder flavour with a strong melting ability. It goes well with fresh fruits and pairs nicely with Chenin Blanc or Sauvignon Blanc.
The cheese is available year-round and is suitable as a table cheese. It has a natural or waxed rind and ripens between one and six months. When young, it is springy and mild, but as it matures, subtle sweet flavours develop, and the texture becomes firmer.
One of the most famous varieties of Derby cheese is Sage Derby, which has been made since the 17th century. Sage was added to the cheese for its health benefits, as it was believed to be a health tonic. Sage Derby has a glorious green marble effect and a subtle herb flavour. It is usually made with fresh sage, but some varieties use sage powder or extract, and spinach juice to enhance the green colour.
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Sage Derby is a variety of Derby cheese with a glorious green marble effect
Derby is a traditional British cheese made in Derbyshire, England, since the 16th century. It is a semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk with a mild, buttery flavour and a creamy texture. It is similar to mild cheddar in texture but is milder in flavour and has a stronger melting ability.
Sage Derby is a variety of Derby cheese that has been infused with sage, giving it a glorious green marble effect and a subtle herb flavour. It is thought to be England's oldest and most famous cheese, usually made only for special occasions like Christmas. The process of making Sage Derby involves layering freshly milled, salted Derby curd with sprinkles of fresh sage and leaving it to mature for six months. The addition of sage to the cheese was born out of the 17th-century custom of adding sage, a herb valued for its health-giving properties, as a health tonic. The sage infusion is also said to be antiseptic and can be used to treat depression, nervous anxiety, and liver disorders.
Sage Derby has a semi-hard, semi-firm, and delicate texture, with a mild sage flavour. It is well known for its versatility and pairs well with fresh fruit and many wines. It is a great breakfast cheese as it goes well with various fruit juices and can be melted on rye bread and topped with an egg. The natural rind of the cheese is often dusted with sage, and its bright green markings make it a striking and inviting addition to any cheese board.
The cheese's unique look and flavour make it a great conversation starter at the dinner table. It is also said to be a popular cheese among children. Sage Derby can be made with fresh sage, sage powder, or sage extract, and some varieties may be coloured with spinach juice or vegetable dyes.
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It is made by blending fresh garden sage into traditional Derby cheese curd
Derby cheese is a traditional British cheese that has been made in Derbyshire, England, since the 16th century. It is a semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk with a mild, buttery flavour and a creamy texture. In the 17th century, cheesemakers began to add garden sage to the cheese during production. This was due to the herb's health benefits, as it was believed to be a health tonic.
Sage Derby is a variety of Derby cheese that is made by blending fresh garden sage into traditional Derby cheese curd. This process infuses the cheese with a subtle herb flavour and a glorious green marble effect. The addition of sage gives the cheese a unique and pleasing taste, making it a popular choice for cheese boards and breakfast.
To create Sage Derby, freshly milled, salted Derby curd and sprinkles of fresh sage are layered and left to mature for up to six months. This maturation process allows the herb's flavour to develop fully. Some producers may also blend dried sage with mature, chopped Derby and repress it, resulting in a cheese with a robust, creamy aftertaste and gentle herbal notes.
The colour of Sage Derby can vary, with some cheeses appearing greener than others depending on the production method and the addition of ingredients like spinach juice. When served, the cheese has a slight minty smell, and the individual sage leaves can be seen within the cheese curds. Sage Derby is a semi-hard cheese with a firm, compressed body and a fat content of about 45%.
Sage Derby is a versatile cheese that pairs well with various dishes and beverages. It is often served on cheese boards, where its striking appearance adds to its appeal. The cheese goes well with fresh fruits and wines, and it can also be melted on bread or paired with eggs for a tasty breakfast option.
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The cheese is versatile and pairs well with fresh fruit and many wines
Derby cheese is a versatile cheese that pairs well with fresh fruit and many wines. The cheese has a mild, buttery flavour and a smooth, mellow texture. It is similar to cheddar in taste and texture but with a softer body and slightly higher moisture content. Derby cheese is made from cow's milk and has a pale, golden orange interior with a natural or waxed rind. It ripens between one and six months, and when young, it is springy and mild. As it matures, subtle sweet flavours develop and the texture becomes firmer.
The cheese's versatility extends to its ability to complement various dishes and ingredients. Its mild flavour and creamy texture make it an excellent pairing for fresh fruits. The sweetness of the fruit contrasts nicely with the savoury notes of the cheese, creating a well-rounded and refreshing flavour combination. Derby cheese also goes well with wines, particularly those that can accentuate its creamy and buttery characteristics. Wines such as Chenin Blanc or Sauvignon Blanc are ideal choices to bring out the cheese's subtle nuances.
The addition of sage to Derby cheese, known as Sage Derby, further enhances its versatility. Sage Derby has been a tradition since the 17th century, when sage was added for its perceived health benefits. The infusion of sage adds a subtle herbal flavour to the cheese, creating a unique and interesting taste profile. The green marbling effect of the sage also makes it visually appealing, adding a festive touch during the holiday season. Sage Derby is a delightful addition to any cheese board and pairs well with various fruit juices, making it a versatile breakfast or party cheese.
The versatility of Derby cheese extends beyond its flavour and texture pairings. Its melting characteristics make it a valuable ingredient in cooked dishes as well. Derby cheese can be melted on bread, grilled, or used in recipes that require a creamy, savoury element. Its mild flavour ensures that it blends well with other ingredients without overwhelming their flavours. The cheese's adaptability and compatibility with diverse culinary applications contribute to its reputation as a versatile and crowd-pleasing cheese.
Overall, Derby cheese is a versatile and crowd-pleasing option that pairs exceptionally well with fresh fruit and a diverse range of wines. Its mild, buttery flavour and smooth texture make it a delightful choice for cheese enthusiasts and a valuable ingredient for cooks alike. Whether enjoyed on its own, paired with fruit, or incorporated into recipes, Derby cheese offers a delightful sensory experience that has endured for centuries.
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Frequently asked questions
Regular Derby cheese has a mild, buttery flavour and a creamy texture. It is similar to cheddar but milder and melts better.
Sage Derby is a variety of Derby cheese infused with sage, which gives it a subtle herb flavour and a glorious green marble effect. It has a creamy, buttery flavour like regular Derby cheese but with a hint of mintiness.
Regular Derby cheese is a creamy ivory to rich yellow colour. Sage Derby is green, sometimes with green veins, and has a semi-firm texture.
Derby cheese is made from cow's milk.
