Morbier Cheese - Vatsario

Hacendado Morbier Cheese

Hacendado Morbier is a semi-soft cow's milk cheese, recognized by the distinctive thin black layer of edible vegetable ash running horizontally through its middle. Originating from the Franche-Comté region of France, this cheese is named after the small village of Morbier in the Jura Mountains.

Historically, this unique cheese was created by farmers who would make cheese with the evening's leftover curd and sprinkle it with ash to protect it overnight. The next morning, a new layer of curd was added to complete the wheel. Today, while the cheese is typically made from a single milking, the ash line remains as a nod to this traditional method and is now purely decorative.

Morbier has a smooth, creamy texture and a flavor profile that is surprisingly mild despite its pungent aroma. It offers a rich, nutty, and fruity taste with subtle caramel notes. This cheese melts well and is a perfect choice for a cheeseboard, sandwiches, or with a glass of light red or white wine.