Martin Oxley, Head, UKTI Poland

Martin Oxley

Director of UKTI Warsaw

Part of UK in Poland

8th March 2014 Warsaw, Poland

Say Cheese -Say Blue Murder

Piesek P is on the lookout for GREAT British Cheese in Poland – as he finds it he’ll let you know – just smile,

Say Cheese from the Scottish Highlands – Say Blue Murder

Best known as the bassist from Blur, Alex James has also become notable for his production of cheese. After his runaway success with Blur, he moved to the Cotswolds, purchasing a farmhouse and renovating it into a burgeoning cheese farm. The 200-acre cheese farm in Kingham, Oxfordshire, now produces award-winning cheeses including ‘Alex James Presents’ – a range of British artisan cheeses – ‘Good Queen Maude’, ‘Blue Monday’, ‘Little Wallop’, ‘Farleigh Wallop’, and most recently ‘Goddess’. All are distinct in their flavour: Blue Murder is a creamy Shropshire blue like cheese, sharp with a very faint sourness.

Previously named after a New Order song, Blue Monday cheese is now Blue Murder cheese. Made in Tain by the Highland Cheese company for ex-Blur bass player Alex James and British food champion Juliet Harbut, both cheese experts, this is a bold, strongly flavoured cheese made with cows’ milk from the Highlands.

Blue Murder is softer and creamier than many blues and has a thin, sticky, grey-white rind. The interior is ivory in colour with purple-blue streaks, and the flavour is steely yet faintly sweet with hints of dark chocolate and spices on the finish. Blue Murder is a unique cheese and has three very exciting stages in its mature life. 

A selection of British cheeses - photo courtesy of HEFF
A selection of British cheeses – photo courtesy of HEFF

At ten weeks of maturity it is ready for consumption; at 14 weeks, it starts to mellow and become creamier and at 16 weeks, it is rich and spicy with a density and depth of flavour that is perfect for cheese lovers.

The veining is distinct and bold with blue cracks appearing throughout the Cheese giving a slightly spicy and steely undertone to this sweet, soft blue cheese. Suitable for vegetarians. Blue Murder is a great dinner party cheese. Introduce it to tangy tossed leaves in thin delicately cut slices or try it with a sliver of ginger. It is a must on an after dinner cheese board and loves to be eaten with Balgownie Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (Australia) or Joseph Drouhin Pinot Noir 2009 (Burgundy)

Say Cheese – Say Blue Murder – Only from Scotland – Taste some for yourself today

About Martin Oxley

Martin Oxley joins the Embassy team in Warsaw, building on a 15 year business career in Central Europe. An expert in the healthcare and life sciences sector, he has led a…

Martin Oxley joins the Embassy team in Warsaw, building on a 15
year business career in Central Europe. An expert in the healthcare and
life sciences sector, he has led a number of the leading blue chip and
regional pharmaceutical companies in Poland and the broader Central and
Eastern European region.
Most recently he was CEO of the British Polish Chamber of Commerce.
Under his leadership the Chamber grew to be one of the most prominent
international business networking organisations in Poland receiving a
number of awards  for excellence and partnership development.
Martin retains a keen interest in digital media, communications,
cultural relations and enterprise development. He is very enthusiastic
about his new role at the Embassy and honoured to have the opportunity
to play a leading role in championing the development of British
business in Poland.
He is married to Małgorzata and has two children Jaś and Nati.

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