California · United States
Point Reyes Original Blue.
A creamy, bold blue with the briny minerality of sea spray and coastal fog baked into every crumble. The blue mold runs through a semi-soft paste that yields to the tongue, releasing waves of tangy funk tempered by subtle sweetness and an earthy, almost mushroomy undertone—this is a blue that whispers as much as it shouts.
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Origin
36.7°N · 118.8°W
The story
How it's made.
Why it tastes that way.
Point Reyes Original Blue has been made since 2000 by the Giacomini family at their dairy farm on the Point Reyes peninsula north of San Francisco.
The raw milk comes exclusively from their own herd of Holstein cows, and the coastal marine environment influences the cheese's character. It has become one of California's most celebrated artisan cheeses.
Production · spec
- Milk
- Cow · raw
- Family
- Blue
- Rind
- natural
- Age
- 4–6 mo
- Intensity
- 4 / 5
- Texture
- semi-soft
Tasting profile
What it tastes like.
These bars are a visual read of Point Reyes Original Blue's flavour and aroma notes, scaled by the cheese's overall intensity — a quick guide, not a lab measurement.
Aroma
Nutrition · per 100 g serving
What's in a wedge.
A 100 g serving — about a finger-thick wedge. Daily values use the FDA 2020 reference of 2,000 kcal. Expect ±5% variation between wheels.
Serve, cut & store
Out of the fridge,
into its prime.
Guidance for blue cheeses — general practice, not a per-wheel measurement.
Rest
Take it out about ≈1 h before serving — cold stiffens the fat and locks up the aromas; cool room temperature is when the flavour shows up.
Cut
Use a thin or wire knife and wipe it between cuts; aim for wedges that share the veins evenly.
Store
Wrap leftovers in cheese paper or wax paper — never cling film, which suffocates the rind — and keep them in the warmest part of the fridge.
Rule of thumb: the softer and riper, the longer it needs. Thick pieces need longer than thin — and don't leave cheese out much past two hours.
Pairings · Caseo curated
What goes with Point.
48 pairings across 6 categories.
Wine
Beer & Cider
Where to find it
Cheese counters.
Counter listings for Point Reyes Original Blue are being verified. Check back soon.
Verified counter listings coming soon. Our team updates listings monthly.
Substitutes
No Point Reyes Original Blue at the counter?.
These will play a similar role on the board and in the pan.
Take it with you
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