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Stilton Cheese vs Wensleydale Cheese
Stilton Cheese
Wensleydale Cheese
In this article, we'll explore the answers to the most common questions about Stilton Cheese and Wensleydale Cheese, including:
- "What is the difference between Stilton Cheese and Wensleydale Cheese?"
- "Is Stilton Cheese and Wensleydale Cheese the same?"
- "How does Stilton Cheese compare to Wensleydale Cheese cheese?"
- "How does the taste of Stilton Cheese compare to Wensleydale Cheese?"
- "Is Stilton Cheese or Wensleydale Cheese better?"
Stilton Cheese Overview
Stilton is one of the best-known British blue cheeses, traditionally made in two varieties: blue and white. Blue Stilton is creamy and crumbly with a distinctively sharp, rich flavor produced by the blue veins. White Stilton, less common, is the milder of the two and does not have the blue veining.
Wensleydale Cheese Overview
Wensleydale is a crumbly, moist cheese originally from the town of Wensleydale in Yorkshire. It can be young or matured, with the younger cheese being mild and creamy, and the aged cheese developing a more pronounced, honeyed flavor. It's often combined with fruits like cranberries or apricots.
Comparing the Two Cheeses
Country of Origin
Stilton Cheese comes from England. Wensleydale Cheese originated from United Kingdom.
Certification
Many cheeses have some kind of protected status that makes it so they can only be produced in a certain manner and location. Stilton Cheese has a PDO (1996). Wensleydale Cheese has a .
Milk Type and Treatment
Stilton Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically pasteurized. Wensleydale Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically other.
Composition and Texture
Stilton's texture can be described as "hard, blue-veined". Wensleydale's texture can be described as "firm and crumbly".
Taste and Aroma
Stilton Cheese has a spicy, strong taste. Wensleydale Cheese has a fresh, lemony tang taste.
Appearance and Aging
Stilton Cheese's appearance is colored blue-grey . Wensleydale Cheese has a color of creamy white and has an aging period of 1 to 4 months old .
Rind and Rennet Type
Stilton Cheese's rind is described as natural .
Ranking
Stilton is ranked #23 out of 996 types based on community views. Wensleydale is ranked #117 out of 996 types based on community views.
Pairing Comparison
| Stilton | Wensleydale | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | Barleywine, Madeira | No pairings listed. |
| Other Good Pairings | No additional pairings listed. | No additional pairings listed. |
For more details, check the full pairing guides on the Stilton and Wensleydale pages.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Stilton Cheese | Wensleydale Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | England | United Kingdom |
| Specific Origin | Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire | Yorkshire Dales |
| Certification | PDO (1996) | |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow’s milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | Pressed |
| Rind | Natural | Not Specified |
| Texture | Hard, blue-veined | Firm and crumbly |
| Taste | Spicy, strong | Fresh, lemony tang |
| Colors | Blue-grey | Creamy white |
| Age | Not Specified | 1 to 4 months old |
Which One Should You Choose?
If you prefer a hard, blue-veined cheese, go for Stilton. But if you enjoy a firm and crumbly consistency, Wensleydale might be the better pick. Stilton has a spicy, strong taste, making it great for various dishes. Meanwhile, Wensleydale offers a fresh, lemony tang profile, ideal for different meals.
