Stilton is one of the most well-known blue cheeses in the world
— up there with Roquefort, Gorgonzola and Cabrales. As possibly
the most traditional English cheese, Stilton is often called the
“King of English cheeses” and sometimes (and more
controversially!) the “King of Blues.” Where did the name of the
cheese come from? In the early 1700s, the road running between
York and London was well-trafficked. One of the key stopping
points for travelers on this road was a place called Bell Inn,
located in the village of Stilton in Leicestershire. The
proprietor of that inn, Cooper Thornhill, started serving his
guests a blue cheese made in the nearby town of Melton Mowbray.
Responding to its popularity, Mr. Thornhill started selling the
cheese to people in London. By the mid-1700s, he was sending an
amazing 1,000 wheels a week! Originally, Stilton was made on
small farms but, given its popularity, there was an interest in
streamlining production. In 1875, a small factory began
producing the cheese and in 1910, the