The Cheesemonger’s Notes
A raw milk Camembert-style cheese with a refined, red-fruited character
St Bede is a soft, bloomy rind Camembert-style cheese made in Norfolk by St Jude Dairy using raw cow’s milk. It has a delicate white rind and a soft, spoonable centre, with fresh, lactic flavours that develop into a more complex, subtly red-fruited character as it matures.
Produced in Norfolk by St Jude Cheese →
St Bede is a beautifully expressive Camembert-style cheese, made with raw milk and crafted by cheesemaker Julie Cheyney at Wheatacre, Norfolk. At first glance, it sits comfortably within the familiar world of soft bloomy rind cheeses — but spend a little time with it, and it quickly shows its individuality.
Young, St Bede has a gently lactic, fresh core — clean, delicate, and lightly tangy. As it matures, the texture softens and loosens, becoming supple and spoonable, while the flavour deepens into something far more complex.
What really sets this cheese apart is its rind. Rather than the typical cabbage or allium notes often associated with bloomy rind cheeses, St Bede develops a more refined, red-fruited aroma — subtle, rounded, and quietly distinctive.
This is a cheese that rewards patience, evolving beautifully over time and offering a more nuanced take on a classic style.
Perfect Pairings
- Crusty bread or a simple baguette
- Light, fruit-led red wines
- Dry cider or farmhouse ales
- A subtle fruit chutney (avoid overpowering)
- Fresh figs or apples
Ideal Uses
- Baked whole until soft and spoonable
- The centrepiece of a cheeseboard
- Served simply at room temperature
- Spread generously over warm bread
Why We Stock It
St Bede is a great example of how a familiar cheese style can still surprise you. It takes the recognisable comfort of a Camembert-style cheese and adds a level of refinement and character that sets it apart — particularly through its more elegant, fruit-led rind.
It’s the kind of cheese that feels both approachable and quietly special.
