{"product_id":"barkham-blue","title":"Barkham Blue","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRich, buttery and beautifully mellow\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProduced in Berkshire by Village Maid Cheese →\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBarkham Blue is an award-winning British blue cheese made by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVillage Maid Cheese\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e in Riseley, Berkshire, using rich Guernsey cow’s milk.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eImmediately recognisable by its distinctive ammonite-shaped round and rustic natural rind, Barkham Blue has a striking deep golden interior, a colour that comes naturally from the Guernsey milk. Running through the cheese are dark blue-green veins that provide plenty of blue character without the sharpness or aggression sometimes associated with stronger blue cheeses.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe texture is wonderfully smooth and buttery. As Barkham Blue matures, it becomes increasingly soft, creamy and melting, while retaining that lovely balance between the richness of the milk and the savoury character of the blue mould.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor anyone who enjoys blue cheese but prefers \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003erichness and creaminess to an overpowering blue bite\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, Barkham Blue is an excellent choice.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMilk:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Cow's milk – Guernsey\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStyle:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Blue\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTexture:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Smooth, buttery and increasingly creamy as it matures\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlavour:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Rich, mellow and savoury with a rounded blue character\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRind:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Natural, mould-ripened rustic rind\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMade in:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Riseley, Berkshire\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCheesemaker:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Village Maid Cheese\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhat does Barkham Blue taste like?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBarkham Blue combines the natural richness of Guernsey milk with a rounded, savoury blue flavour. Expect a buttery sweetness followed by earthy, gently piquant blue notes. It has plenty of character, but without the harshness that can sometimes dominate a blue cheese.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHow strong is Barkham Blue?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWe would describe Barkham Blue as a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003emedium-strength blue\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. There is enough blue veining to give it a distinctive flavour, but its creamy texture and rich milk help soften the sharper notes. This makes it particularly approachable for people who like blue cheese but don't necessarily want the intensity of the strongest varieties.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHow should I serve Barkham Blue?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTake Barkham Blue out of the fridge around \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e30–60 minutes before serving\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Allowing it to come towards room temperature softens the texture and brings out more of its buttery, savoury flavours.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt makes a superb addition to a cheeseboard and works particularly well alongside something sweet – try it with pear, fig, grapes, fruit chutney or a drizzle of honey. Add a good cracker or piece of crusty bread and there really isn't much more it needs.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhat should I drink with Barkham Blue?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBarkham Blue works well with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003emedium-bodied red wines\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, where the fruit can complement rather than overwhelm the cheese. Moderately sweet dessert wines are another excellent match, with their sweetness providing a classic contrast to the salty, savoury blue character.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbout Village Maid Cheese\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVillage Maid Cheese is a second-generation artisan cheesemaking business based in the rural Berkshire village of Riseley.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFounded by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnne Wigmore in 1986\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the business grew from her experience at the National Institute for Research in Dairying at Shinfield, where she initially worked in microbiology before learning the craft of cheesemaking.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eToday, Village Maid continues to make distinctive British cheeses using traditional methods and carefully sourced milk from local farms. Sustainability plays an important part in the business, with an emphasis on working with farms committed to regenerative agriculture, high standards of animal welfare and more sustainable farming practices.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNearly four decades after it was founded, Village Maid remains an independent cheesemaker producing cheeses with their own very recognisable character – and Barkham Blue is perhaps one of the most distinctive.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhy we like Barkham Blue\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere are plenty of British blue cheeses, but Barkham Blue manages to be immediately recognisable both \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eon the counter and on the palate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe golden Guernsey-milk paste, dark blue-green veining and unusual ammonite shape make it visually distinctive, but ultimately it is the balance that makes it such a good cheese. It delivers everything you want from a blue – savouriness, complexity and character – wrapped up in an exceptionally smooth, buttery texture.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt is a blue cheese with personality, but one that doesn't feel the need to shout about it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePerfect for\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBritish cheeseboards\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlue cheese lovers\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnyone looking for a creamy, less aggressive blue\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePairing with fruit, chutney or honey\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eServing with red or dessert wine\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCreating contrast alongside hard and soft cheeses on a cheeseboard\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Village Maid","offers":[{"title":"250g Approx","offer_id":57414468796791,"sku":null,"price":10.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"500g Approx","offer_id":57414468829559,"sku":null,"price":21.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"1kg Approx","offer_id":57414468862327,"sku":null,"price":42.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0523\/5870\/9434\/files\/BarkhamBlue.jpg?v=1787829472","url":"https:\/\/norfolk-deli.co.uk\/products\/barkham-blue","provider":"Norfolk Deli","version":"1.0","type":"link"}