One of the most delicious dishes in the world have either come about because of people’s cravings, or accidentally. Usually, when mold appears on such a product, it is immediately discarded, but so is the issue of millions of people's favorite blue cheese.
For this, microorganisms are bred deliberately - that means creating special conditions for development and cultivation, both carefully and long. This mold is "noble" and even has a pedigree. Blue cheeses are so named because of the blue threads that cut through their surface on all sides.
Blue cheese is delicious, but many of us dare not try it, just because of the belief that it is moldy cheese. Let's look at the most popular types of blue cheese and a bit of their history.
Types of blue cheese
Roquefort
With absolutely no doubt, we can tell you that this is the most famous blue cheese in the world. The mode of production to this day is kept strictly confidential. As original Roquefort is considered only cheese that is aged in caves in Cambalou, at the foot of Roquefort. This is a region in France where sheep are the main livelihood for centuries and that is probably why the unique technology of cheese ripening was born in the caves there, as a result of forming a noble mold of Penicillium Roquefort. The surface of the cake is covered with Roquefort and always has a wet white crust. The interior is butter yellow with mold and has a slightly nutty flavor nuance.
There is a legend about the creation of Roquefort, which tells the story of a young shepherd who was grazing his sheep every day on the hill, near the village of Roquefort. Once past him came a lovely girl, for which he was lost for words and forgot his breakfast - hunk of rye bread and fresh sheep's cheese, in the cave. He ran to woo the girl, but he returned to the cave after a few days. He saw that the cheese has become strange - the whole loaf was covered with blue-green mold. He took a cautious bite of the cheese, and was amazed by the incredible taste.
Gorgonzola
This is the most famous Italian cheese. Made only from goat milk or cow milk, and in some cases - a mixture of the two. Gorgonzola is a delicious crumbly cheese has a fat content of about 48%. The taste of gorgonzola has spicy, slightly sweet notes. The interior of the cheese is off-white to pale yellow. There are three types of gorgonzola - sweet, spicy and natural.
Bleu d'Auvergne
Extremely well known blue cheese. It has a very strong, even aggressive smell and taste, which is dominated by grassy color and tones. Unlike Roquefort, Bleu d`Auvergne has a significantly buttery texture. Is very widely used in cooking, combines well with wine and nuts.
Form d'Amber
Produced near the French town of Amber. This is one of the softest blue cheeses, not only consistency, but also flavor. Form d'Amber has a mild flavor and is yellow-orange, cut by blue-green to gray-yellow veins. The rind of the cheese is dry and must be removed for consumption. The interior is creamy with the characteristic cellar smell.
Stilton
English blue cheese that comes in two versions - usually blue. White Stilton is not widespread and occurs only within UK. Blue Stilton is distinguished by its yellow-orange color that is cut across by blue-green veins. The flavor is very strong, but the skin is quite hard, so it is not consumed.
Selecting and storing blue cheese
Blue cheese can be found in larger grocery chains, which comes in small packages. The price of blue cheese is relatively high, but the taste is worth it. Choose blue cheese is saturated fiber because it is considered a higher quality. Check the label on the shelf. Keep well wrapped blue cheese in the refrigerator to prevent drying.
Blue cheese in cooking
Blue cheese is gaining much popularity in cooking. It is added to salads and soups, appetizers and main dishes. It is sprinkled on pizza and the sauce of blue cheese is almost an integral part of the dish, along with broccoli and chicken.
In addition to broccoli, sauce of blue cheese can be used for a variety of pre-cooked vegetables and grated blue cheese adds incredible flavor to familiar boiled rice. Blue cheese is very suitable for filling vegetables.
Of course blue cheese is so delicious and flavorful, it can be consumed by itself, and the only suitable company for it is red wine. If you add a few slices of fruit (figs, pears or sweet grapes), rest assured that this is one of the best culinary delights that you may ever experience.
Benefits of blue cheese
Recent studies show that blue cheese is not only tasty but also good for your health. Scientists came to the conclusion that cheese contributes to the good functioning of the intestines, and delays arthritis and offers physical signs of slowed aging. It turns out that the French owe their longevity, not just to red wine, but cheese. blue cheese is good for the heart and preventing serious diseases such as heart attack.
Dangers of blue cheese
Many experts in nutrition believe that blue cheese is not beneficial to your health, but can rather cause much damage. Blue cheese is not recommended for consumption by pregnant or nursing women, and everyone else is too threatened by its high salinity and the high content of fat in it. It is said that blue cheese is not helping, but causes damage to the heart, causing obesity and all the negatives associated with it.
