#2 - Roquefort

I have never been a huge fan of blue cheese, but lately I am finding myself enjoying it more and more. Generally, I have been exposed to the more mild, pre-crumbled variety, but this little wedge was on sale when I was shopping at Whole Foods. I had never tried Roquefort before, so I figured it was a good time to take the plunge into the real blues.

STINKY CHEESE ALERT!! 

This cheese packs a punch! Upon first taste, you get a sort of vinegary, salty flavor. Then, the cheese melts a bit, and it turns creamy and smooth. I was surprised how creamy a cheese with such strong flavors could be!

The Cowgirls' Library of Cheese says: "If you've ever wondered what would ever possess someone to eat a dampish hunk of moldy-looking cheese and then discover what a delicious slice of heaven it truly was, it was pure hunger. According to legend, a young shepherd had his lunch of curds interrupted when he saw a beautiful girl off in the distance. Stashing the remains of his food in a cave, he ran to catch up with this pastoral vision. Unfortunately, the lovesick shepherd's attempts were thwarted and he returned to his lunch, which was now moldy. However, being very hungry, he ate it anyway.

Next to Comte, Roquefort is France's most popular cheese and was supposedly mentioned in 79 A.D. by Pliny the Elder, who favored its rich flavor. Creamy, salty, and intense, Roquefort is aged for ninety days in natural caves in AOC-designated areas. The blueing of this cheese is more greenish-blue, a color that the French term persille (parsley), and the flavor is rich and piquant."

I didn't have any fresh fruit on hand, but I found myself wishing I had some red grapes to eat with this intense Roquefort to mitigate the strong flavors. I imagine the salty-sweet combination would be delightful!