Perry's Cheese Blog

As an affineur, I'm always on the lookout for new ways to enhance the flavour and quality of cheese. So, when I received a call from my friends at Curlew Dairy about a maturing project they were putting on, I was more than happy to oblige. The Yorkshire farmhouse was sending out eight fresh-out-of-the-press wheels of Old Roan Wensleydale to different cheesemakers in a bid to discover any maturation methods that could be used to benefit the cheese. There was a rather stubborn bitter note that they were keen to figure out. If any advantages were found, they could influence...

As strong cheeses go, there’s nothing more potent than a well-aged blue cheese. One aspect of its enduring success as a showstopper is its variety, as it can be crafted from cow's milk, sheep's milk, or goat's milk. No matter your taste preferences, there’s bound to be a blue that suits you. Their standout appearance is another factor, as their distinguishing blue, blue-grey or blue-green veins of mould run through it like a tiny river network inside the cheese. But why does it turn a shade of blue? And how do cheesemakers accomplish the look? Well, the answer is all...

Have you ever heard a cheesemonger rave about Epoisses or Stinking Bishop and wondered what washed-rind cheese is and why it can make your refrigerator smell… unique? If you’re nodding along, this article has the answers for you. We’re affineurs of washed rind cheeses and we have information passed down to us about this cheese type that we’d like to share with you. Grab some crackers, maybe a glass of wine, and tuck in. What Does Washed Rind Cheese Mean? The key difference that makes a washed rind cheese is exactly what it says in the name - the rind...

Cheese affinage is a crucial part of the cheese-making process. It helps develop flavor, texture, and overall quality. In the UK, cheese affinage is a traditional practice that plays a big role in the country's thriving artisan cheese industry. The goal of cheese affinage is to create the ideal environment for the cheese to age and develop flavors. This usually involves storing cheese at a specific temperature and humidity and turning and flipping the cheese regularly to ensure even aging. The type of cheese and desired flavor profile determine the specific affinage techniques used. Cheese affineurs, or cheese agers, are...

If you're a cheese lover, you know that there's nothing quite like the taste of high-quality British artisan cheese. Whether you prefer the gooiness of a soft, the pungent scent of a blue or even washed-rind varieties, artisan cheese offers a depth of flavour and complexity that you simply cannot get from mass-produced cheese. But did you know that eating British artisan cheese also has several other benefits? Not just in terms of supporting smaller, local cheesemakers, but providing goodness for your body as well. Here are just a few reasons to add more artisan cheese to your diet. It...