Cheese Of The Week: Roquefort

Roquefort is one of Europe's' oldest and most famous cheeses.

In 1411, King Charles VI granted exclusive rights to the people of Roquefort-ur-Soulzon to age the area's cheeses in the caves close to their village — as they had already been doing for hundreds of years.

The caves contain the spores of Penicillium roqueforti, the special mold that gives the cheese blue-green veining and a pungent flavor.

Archaeological evidence shows that cheese has been produced in this area since long before the ancient Romans left the first written records praising it. The evidence — a perforated container thought to be for draining cheese curds.

To read the rest of the story, please go to: Evansville Couirer & Press