A traditional French cheese. (Roquefort)

Member Name: JB01

Product:	Roquefort
Date:	22/03/06 (142 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Exclusive

Disadvantages: Expensive

I decided to try Roquefort cheese after noticing it on sale at my local Sainsburys, they kindly sold a small portion of this expensive item to me for only 57p for a 0.032 kg portion. It retails at £17.69 per £/Kg at the counter. I couldn’t find anything to drink with it. For storage refrigerate.

***THE PRODUCT***

Roquefort cheese is produced in the Auvengne region of France near Midi and the Pyrennes. The cheese I bought from Sainsburys was marked as made with unpasteurised milk, for Roquefort it has to be the produce of ewe/sheep from the region. It’s fat content is fairly high at 52%. It takes at least 4 months to mature. Traditionally this takes place in caves.

The 1st evidence of Roquefort was discovered in 79AD when Pluy the Elder mentioned its aroma. As of from 2003 there are 7 major producers: Roquefort Societe, Papillon, Carles, Fromageries, Occitannes, Gabriel coullet, Vernienes, Les Vieux Berger.

Goes well with sweet wine, nuts & figs. You could try a dollop in French Onion Soup, it creams up nicely.

You can find out more at the website www.cheese-france.com/roquefort.html

***THE EXPERIENCE***

The cheese is soft and I was able to spread some over a cracker, it did not add much to the flavour. The taste is complex, creamy and soft. It tastes rich, salty with a sharp, tangy flavours. The strong flavour suggests at least for me that it should be taken with a biscuit or cracker (given the fat content filling up with this could be risky). I think a Ryvita detracts none from the flavour. Its price makes it more expensive than Stilton so I guess you’ll save it for special occasions. Any update will include the experience with wine and possibly with soup.

Summary: Traditional French cheese for special occasions