The Cheesemonger’s Notes
An exceptional Norfolk lactic cheese with a delicate mousse-like texture and remarkable depth of flavour
Produced in Norfolk by St Jude Cheese →
St Jude is a handcrafted lactic cheese made by Julie Cheyney at St Jude Dairy in Wheatacre, Norfolk, using rich, unpasteurised milk from Montbéliarde cows. Julie relocated to Norfolk specifically to work with this exceptional breed, whose milk is renowned for its richness, balance, and ability to produce cheeses of outstanding texture and flavour.
Julie’s recipe is defined by the careful handling of delicately coagulated curd, which is allowed to set slowly over 18 hours. This extended coagulation preserves the fragile structure of the curd, creating a cheese with a remarkably light, soft, mousse-like texture. The interior is smooth and yielding, offering a luxurious mouthfeel that reflects both technical precision and respect for the milk.
As St Jude matures, it develops naturally within a carefully controlled, high-humidity environment. The texture becomes softer and more expressive, while the flavour deepens and evolves.
The flavour profile is layered and complex. It begins with fresh cream and cultured butter notes before developing deeper savoury characteristics. There are distinctive flavours often likened to creamy carbonara, with gentle smoky bacon richness, alongside more refined wine-like and barrique qualities as the cheese matures. Despite this complexity, the overall balance remains elegant, refined, and deeply satisfying.
St Jude represents the pinnacle of modern British lactic cheesemaking—combining exceptional milk, patient technique, and thoughtful maturation to produce a cheese of genuine distinction and place.
Cut to order at The Norfolk Deli, every piece is prepared fresh to ensure optimal flavour and condition.
Perfect Pairings
• Crusty sourdough or rustic bread
• Light oatcakes
• Crisp white wines such as Chablis or Sauvignon Blanc
• Norfolk farmhouse cider
Ideal Uses
• A centrepiece for a Norfolk cheeseboard
• Served at room temperature to reveal full texture and flavour
• Enjoyed simply with bread
• Perfect for those who appreciate refined lactic cheeses
Why We Stock It
St Jude is one of the defining cheeses of modern Norfolk. Made by Julie Cheyney using Montbéliarde milk and traditional lactic methods, it represents exceptional craftsmanship and the extraordinary potential of Norfolk cheesemaking.
It is cheeses like St Jude that firmly establish Norfolk among Britain’s most important artisan cheese regions.
