Fresh Clotted Cream developed by Northern Irish dairy

Fresh clotted cream has been developed in Northern Ireland by Farmview Dairies, a longstanding processor of milk and blue cheese.

Farmview, based at Castlereagh, near Belfast, is now selling the branded 'Irish Clotted Cream' to hotels, including Hastings, Northern Ireland's leading chain of high-end hotels, and restaurants across Northern Ireland. The company is also exploring opportunities to export the clotted cream to Britain and the Irish Republic.

Unlike many other clotted creams, Farmview's branded Northern Irish Clotted Cream features a novel processing system which provides the product without the traditional crust.

Richard McDowell, managing director of the family-owned Farmview Dairies, says the decision to develop the cream without a crust followed discussions with local chefs who wanted a fresh product preferably from a local supplier.

"Our clotted cream is made from fresh milk sourced from 11 dairy farmers who supply us from their herds of grass-fed cows grazing the clean pastures of county Down," he adds. "This gives us total control over ingredients and processing carried out in our plant. We've developed a technique for removing the crust. Producing without a crust gives the cheese a very fresh and buttery taste."

The Irish Clotted Cream is currently being produced in one litre tubs for foodservice, but the company is considering developing a retail version in 25g containers.

"We were encouraged by Howard Hastings, the managing director of Hastings Hotels, to develop Northern Ireland's first clotted cream. We currently supply Hastings with all its fresh dairy products as well as our award-winning Kearney Blue Cheese.

"Howard Hastings had been on an educational visit to Yorkshire and had sampled clotted cream made there. He subsequently contacted me to see if we would be interested in producing our own product."

Farmview worked with one of the leading chefs at Hastings in developing the new clotted cream. The dairy produces a range of products including a range of fresh milk, buttermilk, cream and cheese for both retail and foodservice customers throughout Northern Ireland. The company's Kearney Blue, a winner of international cheese awards including three stars in this year's UK Great Taste Awards, is sold throughout Northern Ireland and has business in Britain and the Irish Republic.