Blue Mould Cheese

Blue mold cheese

The history of blue cheese goes back to the 7th century to a cave outside the village of Roquefort in France. Legend has it that a distracted shepherd forgot his lunch of bread and cheese in the cave. When he returned a few months later, the cheese had become infested with penicillium roqueforti, a mold that was growing in the cave. Today this natural mold is refined and used for almost all blue cheeses simply by adding the mold culture to the cheese milk. For the cheese to turn blue, oxygen must reach the inside of the cheese. This is often done by piercing the cheese with  thin needles or skewers. The blue mold then matures inside the air tunnels, developing flavor as it ages. Most mold-containing cheeses take three to six months to mature. In blue cheese, this happens from the inside out.

Creamy, flavorful, mature

Intense strokes of piquancy from the characteristic blue veins stretch along a creamy, often crumbly texture. Slight hints of rural mushrooms give way to a mild profile consisting of creamy tones of browned butter, slowly resolving in a calm finish. Ranging from mild to sharp, blue mold cheese is made using milk from cows, goats and sheep, producing a wide variety of taste and texture combinations. Resembling fine porcelain, a clear white backdrop marbled with intersected blue veins make up the iconic appearance of these beautiful cheeses.

While some form natural rinds during maturation, most blue mold cheeses have no rind. Instead, the flavors that normally accumulate around the exterior can be found across the entire body.

Types of blue mold cheeses

The character and profile are determined by how much moisture is kept in each cheese, as well as the point of maturation the rind is pierced. Variants high in moisture melt effectively and add tang to red meat and sauces.

Gorgonzola

With a distinct look, Gorgonzola is versatile in its uses, adding zest to risottos, pastas or pizzas. The white and blue marbling stands gracefully on a cheeseboard, pairing wonderfully with grapes, honey and pistachios.

Castello Double Crème Blue

Delicate and luxurious creaminess mix with intricate flavor in this indulgent blue mold cheese. Castello Double Crème Blue is smooth, with a velvety texture and a slightly sharp and salty taste.

Pair with grapes, honey and red wine. 

Roquefort

A blue mold cheese made from sheep’s milk, this French classic is complex and intense. Its body is moist and laced with small blue pockets, providing a blend of sharp and tangy nuances. Vibrant and full of character, Roquefort made blue mold cheeses popular for a reason.

Pair with red wine, apples and walnuts. 

Stilton

Intricate and rich, the taste of a blue Stilton is one to experience. Slowly opening with creamy and nutty specks, followed by a delicate finish. Its body resembles a beautiful mosaic with fine veins stretching like narrow rivers throughout. Less moist than other blue mold cheeses, Stilton is strong and intense.

Pair with honey, walnuts and sliced apple. 

Castello Traditional Danish Blue

Made using milk from local cattle, Castello Traditional Danish Blue comforts with a creamy profile of intricate flavors and a smooth texture. Native to blue mold cheeses, the opening is initially soft with flavors intensifying as it lingers.

Pair with fresh pear, citrus fruit and walnuts.