The Crowd-Pleaser's Secret Weapon: Selling Blueberry Stilton

Cheese Details

  • Cheese Name: White Stilton With Blueberries
  • Producer/Brand: Somerdale
  • Country/Region of Origin: England (Stilton PDO Region: Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire)
  • Milk Type & Treatment: Pasteurized Cow's Milk
  • Cheese Style: Fruit-blended White Stilton
  • Aging: Approximately 4 weeks
  • Pronunciation: STIL-tuhn (/’stɪl.tən/)

Introduction

Welcome to one of the most visually stunning and universally loved cheeses you can have on your counter. Somerdale's White Stilton With Blueberries is more than just a pretty face; it's a versatile, approachable, and delicious cheese that serves as a perfect entry point for newcomers and a delightful treat for seasoned cheese lovers. Its combination of authentic British heritage and bright, modern flavor makes it an easy and exciting cheese to sell. This guide will give you everything you need to turn a customer's curiosity into a confident purchase.

The Quick Pitch

Elevator Pitch

This is a mild, creamy, and crumbly White Stilton studded with juicy blueberries for the perfect sweet and tangy balance. It's not a blue cheese; think of it more like a not-too-sweet blueberry cheesecake. It's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and adds a stunning pop of color to any cheeseboard.

Key Selling Points

  • Visually Stunning Crowd-Pleaser: The creamy white paste and vibrant purple blueberries create an immediate "wow" factor.1 It's the perfect centerpiece for customers building a beautiful cheeseboard for a party or special occasion.
  • The "Stilton" Name Without the "Blue" Fear: Leverage the world-famous Stilton name to convey quality, then surprise customers by explaining it's the mild, fresh cheese before it becomes the strong, pungent blue.1 This turns a potential misconception into a fascinating story and a reason to try it.
  • Approachable "Blueberry Cheesecake" Flavor: The balance of the fresh, slightly acidic cheese with sweet fruit is incredibly accessible.1 The "blueberry cheesecake" comparison is a relatable and highly effective descriptor that instantly demystifies the cheese for hesitant customers.7
  • Inclusive & Versatile: Made with pasteurized milk and vegetarian rennet, it's suitable for a wide range of customers, including vegetarians.1 Its use extends from the cheeseboard to salads and desserts, offering great value.

"If you like X, you'll love this"

  • Wensleydale with Cranberries: This is the closest and most popular analogue. Customers who enjoy the crumbly, fruity profile of Cranberry Wensleydale are a guaranteed sale.10
  • Fruited Chèvre (Goat Cheese): Anyone who enjoys the tangy cheese and sweet fruit combination of a blueberry or cranberry goat cheese will appreciate this cow's milk alternative.6

Tasting & Sensory Profile

  • Appearance: A visually striking, semi-soft cheese with a moist, crumbly texture. The paste is a clean, creamy white, beautifully contrasted by whole, plump, deep-purple blueberries scattered throughout.1
  • Aroma: Clean, fresh, and lactic, like fresh yogurt or buttermilk, with bright, sweet, and jammy notes from the blueberries. There are no earthy or pungent aromas associated with its blue cousin.8
  • Flavor Profile: A delightful harmony of sweet, savory, and tangy. The cheese base is mild, milky, and fresh with a gentle acidic tang that cuts through the richness.1 This is perfectly balanced by the sweet, authentic fruit flavor of the juicy blueberries, creating a finish that is often compared to a rich blueberry cheesecake.5
  • Texture & Mouthfeel: This cheese embodies the "creamy crumble." It is friable and crumbly when cut or handled, but the high moisture content allows it to dissolve on the palate with a surprisingly rich, smooth, and creamy mouthfeel. The soft blueberries provide a pleasant, juicy burst.1

The Story & Interesting Facts

The key to selling this cheese is telling its story. It’s not just cheese with fruit; it’s a cheese with a pedigree.

White Stilton holds a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), a legal status that ensures it can only be made in the English counties of Derbyshire, Leicestershire, or Nottinghamshire using traditional methods.2 This connects it to a deep heritage of British cheesemaking.

The most compelling story is the "Tale of Two Stiltons." Explain to customers that every wheel of the world-famous Blue Stilton begins its life as White Stilton. To become blue, the cheese must be aged longer and pierced with stainless steel needles, allowing air to activate the Penicillium roqueforti mold that creates the iconic blue veins.4 This cheese is that same high-quality base, simply left young, fresh, and un-pierced. It allows customers to taste a piece of history in its purest, mildest form.

The Somerdale brand acts as a curator. As the leading exporter of British cheese to the USA, their name on the label is a seal of quality, representing a partnership with Britain's best dairies to bring authentic cheese to a global audience.15

Pairings & Culinary Uses

Perfect Food Pairings

  • Sweet: Dark chocolate squares, honey, lemon curd, or fig jam.
  • Savory: Crumbled over an arugula or spinach salad with toasted pecans and a light vinaigrette; served alongside prosciutto or salami.17
  • Carrier (crackers, bread, etc.): Ginger snaps or ginger crackers are the ultimate pairing, as the spice contrasts the sweet fruit beautifully.7 Also excellent with hearty oat crackers or simple water biscuits.5

Beverage Pairings

  • Wine: A classic pairing with a nutty Tawny Port.1 Also fantastic with sparkling wines like Prosecco, a crisp Rosé, or an off-dry Riesling.
  • Beer: Fruity ales, Belgian Wheat Beers, or for a more adventurous pairing, a Chocolate Stout.7
  • Other: Sweet Sherry or a Canadian Ice Cider.

In the Kitchen

This cheese is surprisingly versatile. Recommend it to customers for:

  • Making a simple, no-bake blueberry cheesecake.8
  • Stuffing into a chicken breast before baking for a sweet and savory surprise.2
  • Folding gently into scone, muffin, or pancake batter for a decadent breakfast treat.9

Cheesemonger Quick Guide

  • Evocative Words: Fruity, Fresh, Creamy, Crumbly, Tangy, Sweet & Salty, Vibrant, Crowd-pleasing, Dessert-like, Bright.
  • Sample Phrases to Use with Customers:
    • "If you're looking for a guaranteed hit for a party, this is it. The color is amazing on a board, and the flavor is like a delicious blueberry cheesecake."
    • "A common question we get is, 'Is it a blue cheese?' It's actually the opposite! This is the fresh, mild Stilton before it's aged and turned into the famous blue."
    • "My favorite way to eat this is on a ginger snap with a glass of port after dinner—it's the perfect simple dessert."

Works cited

  1. White Stilton With Blueberries - CheeseDelicatessen.com, accessed September 17, 2025, https://cheesedelicatessen.com/white-stilton-with-blueberries/
  2. Somerdale White Stilton Blends, accessed September 17, 2025, https://somerdale.com/somerdale-white-stilton-blends/
  3. Somerdale White Stilton with Blueberry - Riehl's Cheese Shoppe, accessed September 17, 2025, https://riehlscheese.com/products/white-stilton-with-blueberry
  4. Buy Stilton Online. English Blue Cheese White Port Wine Pairing. Recipes. igourmet.com, accessed September 17, 2025, https://igourmet.com/blogs/gourmet-food-guide/stilton-gourmet-guide
  5. Somerdale Stilton Cheese with Blueberry, 1 lb - Mariano's, accessed September 17, 2025, https://www.marianos.com/p/somerdale-stilton-cheese-with-blueberry/0028647730000
  6. Somerdale Stilton Cheese with Blueberry, 1 lb - Kroger, accessed September 17, 2025, https://www.kroger.com/p/somerdale-stilton-cheese-with-blueberry/0028647730000
  7. Dessert Cheese – White Stilton with Fruit - Marcella The Cheesemonger ACS CCP, accessed September 17, 2025, https://www.marcellathecheesemonger.com/2009/05/30/dessert-cheese-white-stilton-with-fruit/
  8. White Stilton with Wild Blueberry - Birkdale Cheese, accessed September 17, 2025, https://www.birkdalecheese.com/product/white-stilton-withwild-blueberry/
  9. Long Clawson White Stilton Cheese with Blueberries - Gourmet Dash, accessed September 17, 2025, https://www.gourmetdash.com/white-stilton-cheese-blueberries-82006-config
  10. Somerdale Stilton Cheese with Blueberry, 1 ct - King Soopers, accessed September 17, 2025, https://www.kingsoopers.com/p/somerdale-stilton-cheese-with-blueberry/0082058142511
  11. Remaining Positive As We Focus On Excitement, Authenticity & Convenience - Somerdale International, accessed September 17, 2025, https://somerdale.com/remaining-positive-as-we-focus-on-excitement-authenticity-convenience/
  12. White Stilton With Blueberry - Peacock Cheese, accessed September 17, 2025, https://www.peacockcheese.com/catalog/cheese/england-ireland/white-stilton-with-blueberry
  13. English Blueberry Fayre Stilton - Mandi Foods, accessed September 17, 2025, https://www.mandifoods.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=23056
  14. “Stilton Cheese” - GOV.UK, accessed September 17, 2025, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5fd3677c8fa8f54d564af06b/pfn-stilton-cheese.pdf
  15. About Us - Somerdale International, accessed September 17, 2025, https://somerdale.com/about-somerdale-international/
  16. Somerdale International Wins Queen's Award, accessed September 17, 2025, https://somerdale.com/queens-award/
  17. Somerdale White Stilton with Blueberry - Gourmet Foods International, accessed September 17, 2025, https://www.gfifoods.com/199551-somerdale-white-stilton-with-blueberry-199551
  18. Easy and Colorful Spring Cheese Board - Alexian Pate, accessed September 17, 2025, https://alexianpate.com/easy-and-colorful-spring-cheese-board/
  19. I have no idea what I just bought, but it was on sale and couldn't help myself. : r/Cheese - Reddit, accessed September 17, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/Cheese/comments/194lefu/i_have_no_idea_what_i_just_bought_but_it_was_on/