The resulting 6- to 7-pound wheels have a mottled, dusty gray exterior redolent of mushrooms and earth, while the paste is evenly veined, with a clean, buttery fragrance shot with blue mold’s classic piquancy. The cheese blooms on the tongue in an explosion of cream, brown butter, nut, and earth, dissolving in peppery spice and salt.
Serve Bayley Hazen as a dessert course with crispbread crackers studded with seeds and dried fruits, firm but ripe pears, a scattering of roasted nuts, and bitter chocolate. It’s also terrific crumbled over salads or as the finishing layer on burgers, quiche, or cheesy gratins.
Bayley Hazen’s salt and concentrated, umami flavors make it an exceptional partner to sweet wines. Try ruby or tawny port, Sauternes, or passito styles.
Cellars at Jasper Hill Bayley Hazen Blue
About $30/lb. (sample)
First-time visitors to Jasper Hill’s online shop will enjoy a 15% discount using the coupon code HOABPMO at checkout.
