
Wensleydale is a sweet, creamy British cheese, often made with fruit. It is a crumbly hard cheese made from cow's milk and is suitable for vegetarians. The cheese is predominantly produced in creameries across the United Kingdom, but the designation 'Yorkshire Wensleydale' is reserved for cheese made in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, England.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Texture | Creamy, crumbly, hard |
| Flavour | Sweet, rich |
| Colour | Ivory |
| Type of milk | Cow's milk |
| Vegetarian | Yes |
| Variations | Natural, cranberry, apricot, blue, oak smoked, cherry and brandy, gingerbread |
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What You'll Learn

Wensleydale is a sweet, creamy British cheese often made with fruit
Wensleydale has a long history in England, with early versions of the cheese dating back to the 12th century. French Cistercian monks in the area are believed to have started making a sheep's milk cheese, trying to recreate Roquefort. In 1540, the monasteries were dissolved, and the recipe for this cheese was passed to local farmers and their wives. Over time, it evolved into the crumbly cow's cheese we know today.
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It is made from cow's milk
Wensleydale is a sweet, creamy British cheese often made with fruit. It is typically enjoyed as a young cheese, matured for around one or two months, but it can also be purchased in mature and extra mature versions. It is also available in Blue and Oak Smoked varieties. Wensleydale is a great choice for a cheeseboard, but it also works well as a flavoured cheese, especially for dessert. Cranberry Wensleydale is probably the most popular variation of this cheese, but apricot is another popular option. Wensleydale Creamery offers festival flavours during the holidays, such as cherries and brandy or gingerbread.
Yorkshire Wensleydale is a hard, creamy, crumbly cheese from Hawes, England, made from cow's milk and a traditional recipe. It is suitable for vegetarians. The designation "Yorkshire Wensleydale" is reserved for cheese made in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, England. It is handcrafted by skilled cheese-makers using locally sourced cow's milk from nearby farms.
Wensleydale has a long and storied history in England. Early versions of the cheese date back to the 12th century, when French Cistercian monks in the area are believed to have been trying to recreate Roquefort. They started making a sheep’s milk cheese, but when the monasteries were dissolved in 1540, the recipe for this cheese was passed to local farmers and their wives. Over time, it evolved into the crumbly cow’s cheese it is today. Wensleydale is firm, moist and flaky, with a rich ivory colour and an open texture. It has a fine curd that you can easily crumble in your fingers.
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It is suitable for vegetarians
Wensleydale is a sweet, creamy British cheese often made with fruit. It is a crumbly hard cheese made from cow's milk and made using a traditional recipe. It is suitable for vegetarians.
The cheese is typically enjoyed as a young cheese, matured for around one or two months. However, it is also available in mature and extra mature versions, as well as Blue and Oak Smoked versions. Natural Wensleydale is a great choice for any cheeseboard, but Wensleydale also works well as a flavoured cheese, especially for dessert. Cranberry Wensleydale is probably the most popular variation of this cheese, but apricot is another popular option. Wensleydale Creamery offers festival flavours during the holidays, such as cherries and brandy or gingerbread.
Wensleydale has a long and storied history in England. Early versions of the cheese date back to the 12th century when French Cistercian monks in the area started making a sheep's milk cheese. Over time, it evolved into the crumbly cow's milk cheese it is today. It is firm, moist and flaky, with a rich ivory colour and an open texture.
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It is a hard cheese
Wensleydale is a hard cheese. It is a sweet, creamy British cheese, often made with fruit. It is typically enjoyed as a young cheese, matured for around one or two months, but it can also be found in mature and extra mature versions. The cheese is suitable for vegetarians and is made from cow's milk. It is known for its creamy, crumbly texture and rich flavour.
Yorkshire Wensleydale is created at the Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes, Yorkshire, England. It is handcrafted by skilled cheese-makers using locally sourced cow's milk from nearby farms. The cheese adheres to a traditional, time-honoured recipe.
Wensleydale has a long history in England, with early versions of the cheese dating back to the 12th century. French Cistercian monks in the area are believed to have started making a sheep's milk cheese, trying to recreate Roquefort. In 1540, the monasteries were dissolved, and the recipe for this cheese was passed to local farmers and their wives. Over time, it evolved from a sheep's milk cheese into the crumbly cow's cheese it is today.
Wensleydale is a popular choice for cheeseboards and is often flavoured, especially for dessert. It is one of the most common cranberry cheeses, and apricot is another popular variation. Wensleydale Creamery offers festival flavours during the holidays, such as cherries and brandy or gingerbread.
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It is often enjoyed as a young cheese, matured for around one or two months
Wensleydale is a sweet, creamy British cheese that is often enjoyed as a young cheese, matured for around one or two months. It is made from cow's milk and has a crumbly texture. The cheese is suitable for vegetarians and is known for its rich flavour.
The cheese is typically handcrafted by skilled cheese-makers using locally sourced cow's milk from nearby farms. It is made using a traditional recipe that dates back to the 12th century. The designation "Yorkshire Wensleydale" is reserved for cheese made in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, England.
Wensleydale is often flavoured with fruit, such as cranberries or apricots, and is a popular choice for dessert. It pairs well with savoury foods due to its sweet and fatty characteristics.
The cheese has received recognition for its quality, winning a gold medal at the International Cheese and Dairy Awards in 2023.
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Frequently asked questions
Wensleydale is a sweet, creamy British cheese, often made with fruit. It's a crumbly hard cheese made from cow's milk.
Wensleydale cheese was originally made in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, England. It's now made in creameries across the UK, but the designation 'Yorkshire Wensleydale' is reserved for cheese made in Wensleydale.
Wensleydale is a sweet and fatty cheese, which makes it a great pairing with savoury foods. It's often enjoyed as a young cheese, matured for around one or two months.























