Distinguished by its highly aromatic qualities and its singularly delicious taste, blue cheese is a favorite around the world. Boasting a distinctive look, blue cheese is one of the most well-recognized and highly regarded cheeses on the market. With its signature riddling of blue-green mold and its delightful sharp taste, be sure to add one of our gourmet blue cheese options to your next cheese course or charcuterie board!
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What Is Blue Cheese?
Blue cheese, also commonly referred to as Blue Vein cheese, is a variety of cheese ripened through the injection of the bacteria Penicillium. Produced from cows, sheep, goats, even buffalos, no matter what milk it’s made from, all blue cheese ends up being chiefly characterized by its distinctive streaks of blue-black mold. These delicate veins of mold make the interior of blue cheese appear marbled, and their high contrast appearance and distinctive flavor profile make them a favorite addition to cheese boards and appetizer trays everywhere.
How is Blue Cheese Made?
The signature veins in blue cheese are developed during the production stage in a process called “spiking.” Stainless steel rods are pressed through the cheese to allow oxygen to penetrate the rounds. This encourages the growth of mold while at the same time softening the texture and developing that signature aromatic quality we associate with blue cheese. Intensely flavored, salty, and with a sharp bite, gourmet blue cheese can vary from crumbly like Roquefort to superbly creamy like a Cambozola Triple Cream, depending on the aging and the cheesemaking process.
Types of Blue Cheese
While blue cheese is said to have originated in France, its distinctive characteristics now make it a favorite around the world, with every country having its favorite interpretation. Some of the most famous types of blue cheese include the aforementioned Roquefort from France, Stilton from England, and of course, Gorgonzola from Italy. Alongside these classics, you’ll find many newer cheesemakers are developing their own signature varieties in fresh and creative ways. Maytag’s Blue from the U.S. and Point Reyes from California, are two up and coming cheeses that have already developed cult followings. Browse through our complete selection for a thorough representation of both new and traditional styles.