# Humbolt Fog Bleu Cheese **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 24, 2017, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humbolt-fog-bleu-cheese/794603 "2017-08-24T23:08:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2017, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humbolt-fog-bleu-cheese/794603/21 "2017-08-25T22:51:13Z")
I love and support all craft cheeses, especially domestic ones. I had forgotten about the ash, which is why I confused it with a bleu cheese based on appearances. Now I know why the flavor is not in line with the other bleus I’ve tried. I think I asked a question upthread about how say, European cheesemakers have cheeses with different bacteria in them due to differing or non-existent pasteurization laws than do domestic producers, which lends an aura of different flavors and smells. Is this still true or has that been relaxed in the US for domestic artisan producers? ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2017, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humbolt-fog-bleu-cheese/794603/22 "2017-08-25T23:25:45Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > I love and support all craft cheeses, especially domestic ones. I had forgotten about the ash, which is why I confused it with a bleu cheese based on appearances. Now I know why the flavor is not in line with the other bleus I’ve tried. > > I think I asked a question upthread about how say, European cheesemakers have cheeses with different bacteria in them due to differing or non-existent pasteurization laws than do domestic producers, which lends an aura of different flavors and smells. Is this still true or has that been relaxed in the US for domestic artisan producers? Yes- my daughter had a summer job at a craft beef and cheese shop. They had a number of unpasteurized local cheeses. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2017, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humbolt-fog-bleu-cheese/794603/23 "2017-08-25T23:34:28Z")
You just can’t **import** the non-pasteurized cheeses. Nobody ever said you couldn’t produce them locally. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2017, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humbolt-fog-bleu-cheese/794603/24 "2017-08-26T00:51:14Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > You just can’t **import** the non-pasteurized cheeses. Nobody ever said you couldn’t produce them locally. Really? I know you can get in deep shit for selling unpasteurized milk. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2017, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humbolt-fog-bleu-cheese/794603/25 "2017-08-26T01:09:17Z")
As long as it is aged 60+ days, cheese made from unpasteurized milk is ok in the USA. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2017, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humbolt-fog-bleu-cheese/794603/26 "2017-08-26T02:37:54Z")
Humboldt Fog is one of my favorite cheeses. I think it improves with age, up to a point. The outer layer becomes soft and translucent, and develops a rich flavor. Of course, if you let it go too long it develops that ammonia smell (and taste) of an over-ripe brie. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2017, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humbolt-fog-bleu-cheese/794603/27 "2017-08-26T05:04:25Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > You just can’t **import** the non-pasteurized cheeses. Nobody ever said you couldn’t produce them locally. What a strange and stupid interpretation. WTF is the difference then? Whom is the USDA supposedly protecting under this consideration? > [@Jeff\_Lichtman](#): > > Humboldt Fog is one of my favorite cheeses. I think it improves with age, up to a point. The outer layer becomes soft and translucent, and develops a rich flavor. Of course, if you let it go too long it develops that ammonia smell (and taste) of an over-ripe brie. Are you really the head cheese, oh my master? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2017, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humbolt-fog-bleu-cheese/794603/28 "2017-08-26T06:01:58Z")
> [@zoid](#): > > Really? I know you can get in deep shit for selling unpasteurized milk. It varies by state. Here in Florida, all you have to do is slap a “not for human consumption” label on the bottle. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2017, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humbolt-fog-bleu-cheese/794603/29 "2017-08-26T06:50:22Z")
> [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > It varies by state. Here in Florida, all you have to do is slap a “not for human consumption” label on the bottle. I have some potpourri I am looking to sell. It’s not for human consumption but MAN does it smell good! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humbolt-fog-bleu-cheese/794603.md?page=1)