Blue de Gex

The official name of this cheese is Blue du Haut Jura; it is also known by the name of Blue de Septmoncel. It is produced only from the Montbéliardes or Pie rouge de l’Est cows that graze on the mountain grasses and wild flowers of the Jura. The cheese has a mild taste that hints of mushrooms, tarragon and fresh milk. The "pâte" of Blue de Gex is soft and white, with aromas evocative of the rich mountain pastures where the cows graze. During affinage, air is inserted with a syringe into the pâte to allow the mold to grow internally. The difference of this cheese from other "blues" is that it is considerably heavier and the taste is less pronounced with a perfumed and slightly bitter savor. The paste is creamy, almost crumbly when touched, and has a lovely, nutty flavor. The local people eat this cheese with boiled potatoes.