The supermarket deli counter is always worth a browse for any cheese enthusiast. Whilst they likely won’t challenge the proper cheese shop for variety or rarity, they offer something a little different on a weekly shop from the standard pre-packaged offerings at the dairy aisle. A decent enough chunk can be picked up for not a lot of money, with the added benefit of offering a smaller helping for either the single consumer, or those who can’t be trusted not to gorge on 500g of cheese if left unattended. This particular block (as pictured) cost just £1.78 and would fill several sandwiches or integrate nicely into a family-size pasta dish.

Shropshire Blue has somewhat disputed origins (at least according to Wikipedia) but what is beyond doubt is that this particular offering comes from the dairy cows at Long Clawson Dairy in Leicestershire. It is a “full-bodied cheese with a creamy texture, rich flavour and distinctive blue veins”. An attractive sales pitch. How does it measure up?

Some say that the first bite is taken with the eye and that is certainly the case here. This particular offering jumped out on the shelves at Morrisons. The rich orange hue mixed with the distinctive blue veins make for an appealing offering! First impressions out of the packet bode well. There is a signature musk that points to a good blue cheese and a rind that blends seamlessly with the cheese itself. The texture is a nice balance between smooth and crumbly. The cheese is hard enough to slice up and soft enough to be carefully spread on a biscuit.

Then we come on to the taste. The initial impression is overwhelmingly blue. Not overpowering but rather lingering. My first initial nibble was still registering on the taste buds nearly 5 minutes later. However, the punchy taste of the blue is actually pretty well balanced out by the smoother tasting body of the cheese. The taste may be a little too earthy or ashy for some, but lovers of blue should be suitably impressed. I have been sneaking little chunks as I sit and write this article and have so far found it to have a good longevity; some cheeses make a good first impression but becoming overwhelming after a few bites. I have not found this to be the case. OK, perhaps it’s not meant as a snacking cheese in the way a cheddar or similar might be. However, the balance of flavours feels pretty spot on, and I can see this being a pretty versatile little cheese!

So, in conclusion, this offering from Long Clawson hits all the right notes. A well-balanced flavour, attractive appearance and good price make for an excellent product. I find myself struggling to find any real downsides. The lingering nature of the flavour might not suit everyone’s palete but the blue cheese aficionado should be no stranger to the experience! Overall, a very strong offering and highly recommended!

RATING – 9.0

RECOMMENDATION – A versatile cheese that can be used in sandwiches, cheese boards, cooking or even on it’s own (in moderation at least!)

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