Find the most important etiquette rules on how to serve and eat Roquefort and tips to be the ideal host or the perfect guest at the dining table.

how to serve and eat roquefort

What Roquefort etiquette is

Roquefort etiquette is the set of rules to properly serve and eat Roquefort cheese. Such rules help avoid behaviors that can disrespect hosts or guests, or make you look unpolite.

If you are hosting, follow Roquefort etiquette to serve it to your guests appropriately.

If you are a guest, respect the etiquette rules to properly eat and enjoy it.

What you should know about Roquefort

Roquefort is a semi-hard blue cheese from the south of France. Only a limited area around the town of Roquefort can produce it. 

Roquefort is made from sheep milk. It goes through an aging period of at least 5 months. It is white in color, with blue mold veins. Its texture is firm and crumbly. Its taste is sharp, acidic, and slightly salty. 

Etiquette tips to serve and eat Roquefort

1) How to store Roquefort

Store Roquefort in the fridge. It can last for 3 to 4 weeks. 

Wrap it in waxed paper or parched paper. Alternatively, wrap it in plastic or aluminum foil. You can store it in a sealed container too. However, you should avoid storing it with other cheeses. Otherwise, its strong smell might affect the other cheeses’ taste. 

In the freezer, Roquefort can last for up to 6 months. Be aware that freezing affects the taste and texture of the cheese. Thus, freeze Roquefort only if you plan to cook it. 

Store dishes with cooked Roquefort in the fridge. They can last for up to 3 and 5 days. 

2) How to clean Roquefort

You do not need to wash Roquefort.

Its blue veins are edible. The cheese has no rind. Its exterior is edible. However, it may start to darken in color. With a knife, remove the darkened areas and discard them.

3) How to cook Roquefort

You can prepare Roquefort in many ways. 

It is a great ingredient for salads and sandwiches. 

You can melt it into a sauce before adding it to a dish. Cook it into a blue cheese dressing for a salad. Melt it on top of meat, eggs, or potatoes. 

Bake it as an ingredient for savory tarts, quiches, or pies.

Blue cheese melts quickly and completely. When possible, add Roquefort in the final stage of cooking. Otherwise, you risk overcooking it and spoiling the taste.

4) How to serve & present Roquefort

Serve Roquefort at room temperature. Take it out of the fridge at least 30 minutes before serving. 

Roquefort is appropriate as an appetizer or served after the meal, before the dessert. On a cheese platter, Roquefort should be arranged as the strongest cheese. Thus, the last to be eaten.

You can present Roquefort in small, bite-sized cubes. Accompany it with bread or crackers. 

5) Food and wine to pair Roquefort with

Roquefort goes well with fruits. Fresh fruit such as pear. Dried fruit such as apricots. You can pair it with nuts too. Walnuts. Hazelnuts. Almonds.

You can match it with many cooked vegetables. Potatoes. Tomatoes. Pumpkin. Zucchini.

Roquefort can enhance the flavor of meat or eggs. 

Avoid it with fish or seafood.

Pair Roquefort with sweet wine. Such as Sauternes or sweet wines from the Bordeaux region. It goes well with red wine too, such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot.

6) How to eat Roquefort

Roquefort has no rind. Its exterior is edible. Thus, you should not discard any part of it. 

You can eat it with a fork. However, if the texture is particularly crumbly, it can be best to eat it with your fingers. Pick a small bite-sized cube and bring it to your mouth. 

Do not try to spread it. Due to its texture, Roquefort does not spread unless it is melted.

Roquefort etiquette: the worst mistakes

Avoid the worst Roquefort etiquette mistakes. 

  • 9/10. Serving spoiled Roquefort.
  • 7/10. Pairing Roquefort with fish or seafood.
  • 5/10. Overcooking it.
  • 2/10. Spreading it.

Additional information for properly serving Roquefort

How many calories per serving?

Counting calories is important to stay healthy and to correctly plan a menu.

Roquefort contains 369 calories per 100 grams. An average bite-sized cube is around 10 grams and contains 37 calories.

How to buy the best Roquefort

A crucial factor in Roquefort etiquette is to serve the best product possible to your guests.

Season and availability 

Roquefort is available all year round. 

Choose the best

French Roquefort must have an AOC mark on its packaging. 

AOC stands for Appellation d’origine contrôlée. It means that the cheesemakers complied with all the quality requirements mandated by the Roquefort Consortium. Hence, its quality is controlled and consistent.

Before buying, check the expiration date, the color, and the smell. If the cheese looks brownish or dark yellow, it has likely started to turn.

Alternatives to Roquefort

The most popular are Gorgonzola, Stilton, or Danish Blue.

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