Hidden gem in Charlotte’s Oakhurst neighborhood where the menu is as creative as the food
June 20, 2023
Cheese Wisdom: A lightly smoked cheese from the great Northwest
Oregon blue offers rich flavors with vanilla notes.
by Anita Skogland
The Cheese: Smokey Blue, Rogue Creamery, Central Point, Oregon
Where to Buy: The Loyalist Market
Price: $33.99/lb.
The Style: Semi-soft cow’s milk blue cheese, cold-smoked for 16 hours which softens the blue tang and texture.
Flavor Profile: A light sweetness with a hint of vanilla and nuts from the cold smoke using hazelnut shells. Fruity notes of apple and apricot. The blue component is mild.
How to Enjoy: Microwave a slice of the cheese on a lightly toasted piece of bread for about 10 minutes; then squeeze a bit of honey on top. Serve with a fruit salad, mixed with scrambled eggs, or in a soft lettuce salad.
Wine Pairings: Spätlese Riesling, fruity rosé, Prosecco, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux.
Extra Reading: This is the very first blue cheese to be cold-smoked. The cool smoke temperature allows the cheese to keep its shape while infusing it with a nutty smokiness. The creamery keeps it all local, as hazelnuts are an important agricultural product in Oregon. The cheese is aged 3-9 months.
Check out the rest of our Cheese Wisdom picks!
