The Cheese Caves of Roquefort

According to legend, on June 4, 1070, Roquefort cheese was created in a cave near Roquefort, France. It as been claimed that the cheese has been around since ancient Roman times. What cannot be disputed is that on June 4th 1411, Charles VI granted a monopoly for the ripening of the cheese to the people of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon. From the article:

"The pungent odor and tangy taste of the Roquefort cheese, with its distinctive spots and veins of blue-green mold throughout, is not for everyone. But those who appreciate cheese swear it’s the best blue cheese in the world. While you may not agree, Roquefort is officially known as ‘the king of cheeses.‘

This particular cheese is produced in the tiny village of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon, located amidst the high limestone plateaus of Causse du Larzac, in southern France, where erosion has made the mountain as hollow as cheese itself. Inside these dank and dark natural caves, where humidity stays above 90%, unpasteurized, whole ewe's milk is slowly ripened and molded into Roquefort cheese, following century-old methods."