 The earliest reference cited is Daniel Defoe, who in 1724 called the Stilton-produced cheese, "the English Parmesan".Growth of business due to travellers on the Great North Road, as well as sale into London, led to a need to source additional cheese from further afield, including the region of Melton Mowbray, and over time the modern blue cheese developed.Melton Mowbray pork pies are made by a specific "hand-raising" process and recipe.