Since the green marbling effect, rather than taste or recipe, is the main draw for this cheese, it's taste and character will be quite different from producer to producer. But in most cases it will be a semi-hard, smooth cheese with a mild, herbal flavor. Almost all varieties will have green veins of some type.

Sage Derby Cheese is a traditional type of cheese dating from the 17th century. It was originally a celebration cheese made only on Christmas or harvest time. But these days it's made year round.

Supposedly sage was added due to it's medicinal qualities. The herb was thought to treat all manner of symptoms, from bad breath to depression.

Modern Sage Derby varies wildly in appearance and production. Fowlers produces a Sage Derby with a layer of sage running through the center, which is made from a recipe dating back to 1840. But most others use coloring to produce a bright green marbling.

Appearance - Varies - Some versions have sage and coloring mixed in to produce various degrees of bright marbling. Others have a layer of ground sage running through the middle.