What Are the Health Benefits of Blue Stilton Bacteria?

Bread, cheese and wine are three of the four major food groups for certain gustatory sophisticates, and if you've ever tasted a hot, crusty baguette smeared with sharp, creamy Stilton and drizzled with a touch of honey, you'll never wonder why. Stilton, made in only three counties in Great Britain, is considered the king of cheeses. But while the delicate blue veins running through its tangy goodness are a form of the penicillin mold, it offers no real health benefits aside from the stress-relieving bliss of sheer deliciousness.

Facts About Stilton

The manufacture of Stilton is closely regulated to ensure absolute authenticity. According to Nils Bernstein at Wine Enthusiast Magazine, Stilton can be produced only in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire counties. Blue Stilton is injected with a naturally-occurring mold called Penicillium roqueforti, which is the same basic type of mold that produces the antibiotic penicillin. This causes the greenish-blue marbling that gives blue cheeses their name as well as their pungent odor and sharp, earthy flavor. White Stilton is not injected with this mold; it's often crafted with bits of dried fruits and/or nuts embedded throughout. Both types can be served on a cheese board, and both also melt beautifully.

Understanding Cheese Mold

Cheese mold such as Penicillium roqueforti and Penicillium glaucum do not cause the aflatoxins and micotoxins that make certain types of environmental mold so dangerous to humans. The cheese-making process creates conditions of acidity, density, moisture, salinity, oxygen flow and temperature that do not allow these dangerous toxins to develop. Instead, they all work together to create a crumbly, creamy texture and pungent, agreeable flavor that is irresistible to a true lover of cheese.

Health Benefits of Cheese 

While the cheese mold in Stilton doesn't have the strong antibiotic effects of broad-spectrum penicillin, the cheese itself may offer benefits of its own. Cheese is an excellent source of calcium, which your body needs to keep your bones, teeth and nails strong. It's also a good source of protein and is generally low in carbohydrates. According to a 2015 study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, cheese may also react with the microflora in your gut to reduce the levels of TMAO, a metabolite that carries cholesterol into your bloodstream.

How to Serve Stilton

Stilton is best served at room temperature to bring out the richness of its flavor and enhance its creamy texture. It pairs well with crackers or bread. Stilton also shines when served with apples such as honeycrisp (which are neither too sweet nor too tart), grapes, fully-ripened pears and any type of unsalted nuts. Its saltiness is not complemented by olives as milder cheeses such as Camembert or Brie are. Stilton also melts beautifully and is a welcome addition to soups, stews or as a savory stuffing for fresh figs.