| Morbier | |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | France |
| Region, town | Franche-Comté, Morbier |
| Source of milk | Cows |
| Pasteurised | Depends on variety |
| Texture | semi-soft |
| Aging time | 45 days to 3 months |
| Certification |
French AOC for both Morbier Jura and Morbier Doubs |
Morbier is a semi-soft cows' milk cheese of France named after the small village of Morbier in Franche-Comté. It is ivory colored, soft and slightly elastic, and is immediately recognizable by the black layer of tasteless ash separating it horizontally in the middle. It has a rind that is yellowish, moist, and leathery.
Traditionally, the cheese consists of a layer of morning milk and a layer of evening milk. When making Comté (cheese), cheesemakers would end the day with leftover curd that was not enough for an entire cheese. Thus, they would press the remaining evening curd into a mold, and spread ash over it to protect it overnight. The following morning, the cheese would be topped up with morning milk. Nowadays, the cheese is usually made from a single milking with the ash added for tradition.
The Jura and Doubs versions both benefit from an appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC), though other non-AOC Morbier exist on the market.
The aroma of Morbier is strong, but the flavor is rich and creamy, with a slightly bitter aftertaste.