Staffordshire Foods

Staffordshire Cheese only recently joined products such as Newcastle Brown Ale and Jersey Royal Potatoes on the EU protected list, but it's origins can be linked back more than 700 years ago.

It's all due to the Cistercian monks who settled in Leek, in the Staffordshire Moorlands, way back in the 13th century. They mainly led a life of prayer, study and work, and lived in a self sufficient society, which meant they made their own pottery, bread, beer, and cheese.

Staffordshire Cheese was produced until the Second World War, when rationing and new rules by the Milk Marketing Board central meant the end for many English regional cheeses. 

It's unique flavour and texture has now been revived by the Staffordshire Cheese Company in Leek which says it has a distinctive taste because of the diet its dairy cows are fed on, and the fact it's cloth wrapped.