Scotland's Strathdon Blue -- Available in the US!
Edinburgh-based
Cheesediaries reader and fellow cheesemonger extraordinaire Marcus Walczak wrote in with some good news about
Strathdon Blue. Here's what he wrote:
The cheese is made by Highland Fine Cheese Co. Ltd/Strathdon Blue
The cheesemaker is Rory Stone, son of Susannah Stone, a descendent of The MacDonald, Lord of the Isles.
Highland Fine Cheese is based in Tain in the Highlands of Scotland. It makes a range of cheeses (many to ancient receipes such as Caboc which is said to be made from a receipe used in the Sixteenth Century by a family ancestor Mariota de Ile, daughter of The MacDonald, Lord of the Isles). However, the only cheese you are likely to see in the USA is Strathdon Blue.
Rory sources raw cows milk from local farmers (around 70% Friesian and 30% Ayrshire milk) to make Strathdon Blue.
Strathdon Blue is made from pasteurised cows milk using animal rennet, although a vegetable rennet version is also available. It is aged for 8-12 weeks and stays in excellent condition for many weeks under correct refrigeration with no discernable loss of flavour. In 2002, the British Cheese Awards recognised Strathdon Blue by making it joint winner of the Best Blue category (with Blue Swaledale). Strathdon Blue is made by Highland Fine Cheeses at Blarliath Farm, Tain, Easter Ross, IV19 1EB. Tel: 01862 892034
Murray's has placed a trial order, we have heard. For those of you with a cheese shop to stock,
Somerdale is exporting it...so contact your distributor today.
Posted by Wade at May 19, 2005 09:55 AM