Happy New Year

Cheese of the Week - Exmoor Jersey Blue

Exmoor Jersey Blue

High up on the beautiful Brendon Hills on the north eastern rim of Exmoor are some marvellous ancient meadows liberally scattered with herbs and flowers where the Jersey cows whose milk produces this cheese graze peacefully.  The mixture of herbs in the old grasses flavours the milk and this is passed on into the cheese which has a most beautiful nose and taste - it is similar in this respect to Fourme d'Ambert from the Auvergne which is also made from milk from cows who graze on ancient herb strewn pastures.

As with all cheeses this really does respond well to being brought gently up to room temperature, this will release the aroma and flavour as the cheese relaxes.  The softish paste is a beautiful golden colour from the rich creamy unpasteurised Channel Island milk. It has a fairly strong blue tang, but nowhere near as aggressive as it's elder brother from the same dairy, Partridge's Blue which is really highly argumentative.  The rind is quite colourful with shades of brown, grey and pink.  It is made with vegetarian rennet.

Exmoor Jersey Blue is protected by a PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) which states the product must be traditionally and at least partially manufactured (prepared, processed or produced) within the specific region of NE Exmoor and thus acquire its unique properties.