Nottinghamshire · United Kingdom
Shropshire Blue.
Shropshire Blue arrives on the palate as a paradox: a creamy, semi-soft blue that tastes less like iron and earth than like ripe stone fruit and honeyed grain. The vibrant orange-veined paste—courtesy of annatto seeds—yields to warm, tangy notes with a whisper of the farmyard, while a subtle sweetness prevents it from ever turning harsh. It's a blue cheese for those who find Stilton too severe.
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The story
How it's made.
Why it tastes that way.
Shropshire Blue was actually created in Scotland in the 1970s by a cheesemaker named Andy Williamson at Castle Stuart Creamery, and later moved to Nottinghamshire.
Despite its name, it has no historic connection to Shropshire. The orange color comes from annatto, distinguishing it visually from Stilton.
Production · spec
- Milk
- Cow · pasteurised
- Family
- Blue
- Rind
- natural
- Age
- 1–3 mo
- Intensity
- 3 / 5
- Texture
- semi-soft
Tasting profile
What it tastes like.
These bars are a visual read of Shropshire Blue's flavour and aroma notes, scaled by the cheese's overall intensity — a quick guide, not a lab measurement.
Aroma
Nutrition · per 100 g serving
What's in a wedge.
A 100 g serving — about a finger-thick wedge. Daily values use the FDA 2020 reference of 2,000 kcal. Expect ±5% variation between wheels.
Serve, cut & store
Out of the fridge,
into its prime.
Guidance for blue cheeses — general practice, not a per-wheel measurement.
Rest
Take it out about ≈1 h before serving — cold stiffens the fat and locks up the aromas; cool room temperature is when the flavour shows up.
Cut
Use a thin or wire knife and wipe it between cuts; aim for wedges that share the veins evenly.
Store
Wrap leftovers in cheese paper or wax paper — never cling film, which suffocates the rind — and keep them in the warmest part of the fridge.
Rule of thumb: the softer and riper, the longer it needs. Thick pieces need longer than thin — and don't leave cheese out much past two hours.
Pairings · Caseo curated
What goes with Shropshire.
45 pairings across 7 categories.
Wine
Fruits & Jams
Where to find it
Cheese counters.
Counter listings for Shropshire Blue are being verified. Check back soon.
Verified counter listings coming soon. Our team updates listings monthly.
Substitutes
No Shropshire Blue at the counter?
These will play a similar role on the board and in the pan.
Take it with you
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