Many cheesemakers have suffered a huge dip in sales during the pandemic, leading many producers in France and England to worry about the future of the industry. The wonderfully pungent and crumbly Stilton cheese, which Robinson Crusoe author Daniel Defoe called in 1724, the “British version of parmesan” is just the latest to ask for help.
Save Our Stilton is the latest S.O.S.
Stilton cheese has pride of place at many British tables throughout the year and has its own Protected Designation of Origin status–much like French champagne can only be produced in the region of champagne, Stilton can only come from the English counties of Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Derbyshire and from local milk. Other products which have trademark British status are Gloucester Old Spot pigs and Jersey Royal potatoes.
Stilton is created with the same fungus penicillium roqueforti which is used to create Roquefort cheese and ironically, can no longer come from the town of Stilton, because it is in Cambridgeshire, although the town is contesting the right to produce its namesake.
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