7 Delicious Bloomy Rind Cheese Savor on Date Night

You and your partner have a romantic date night coming up, and you want to impress them with a cheese board that features bloomy rind cheese. These soft, creamy cheeses with a white rind are sure to delight your taste buds and set the perfect mood. In this post, we’ll explore seven indulgent bloomy rind options, from the classic Brie to unique varieties like Camembert and Brillat-Savarin.

You’ll learn how to choose the best wheels, pair them with complementary foods and wines, and serve them for maximum appeal. With this guide, your cheese board will be a guaranteed hit on date night! Your partner’s eyes will light up when they take that first velvety bite.

What Is Bloomy Rind Cheese?

Bloomy rind cheese gets its name from the soft white rind that forms on the outside as it ripens. Underneath that downy rind awaits an ooey-gooey center. As the cheese ages, the rind imparts subtle flavors of mushrooms and truffles.

A Creamy Delight

The interior of bloomy rind cheese is rich, buttery, and silky smooth. Picture brie, Camembert, or Robiola – all melt-in-your-mouth cheeses with a floral aroma and nutty, savory flavor. The longer they ripen, the softer and more pungent they become.

Handle with Care

Because of their softness, bloomy rind cheese are highly perishable. Once cut open, eat within 3-5 days. When enjoying, let the cheese sit out for 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to develop and the texture to soften. Spread it on bread, pair it with fruit, or simply enjoy with wine and friends.

Bloomy rind cheese may be delicate, but that’s part of what makes it such a treat. Like a fleeting romance, its beauty is in how ephemeral it is. So next date night, pick up one of these luscious cheeses, a crusty baguette, and a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Noir. Your sweetheart will surely swoon at the sight of this molten delight.

7 Mouthwatering Bloomy Rind Cheeses to Try

Camembert

This classic French cheese has a thin, edible white rind and a creamy yellow center. The flavor is rich, buttery, and slightly nutty. Camembert pairs perfectly with crusty bread, fruit, or your favorite red wine.

Brie

You’ve probably heard of Brie, the most well-known bloomy rind cheese. Made from cow’s milk, Brie has an earthy, mushroomy flavor that intensifies as it ripens. The rind is white and furry, while the interior is gooey and decadent. Brie is ideal on a cheese board or melted in dishes like baked brie.

Saint Marcellin

This little stinker from France’s Dauphiné region has a wrinkled, furry rind and a soft, pungent center with flavors of nuts, grass, and ammonia. Despite its pungency, Saint Marcellin has an irresistible creaminess. It’s best enjoyed with bread, fruit, or a crisp Sauvignon Blanc.

Pierre Robert

Hailing from Normandy, Pierre Robert is made from cow’s milk and aged for 2 to 3 weeks. It has a downy white rind and a paste that becomes molten and oozy as it ripens. Flavors are rich, buttery, and slightly tangy with hints of mushrooms and nuts. Pierre Robert pairs nicely with crusty bread, pears or apples, or a dry, fruity white wine.

Camembert – The Classic French Bloomy Rind Cheese

• Camembert is a soft, creamy cheese with a delicate white rind and pale yellow paste.
• This classic French cheese originated in Normandy and is made from cow’s milk.
• As the cheese ages, the interior becomes runny while the rind remains slightly firm.
• The bloomy white rind is created using a special mold called Penicillium camemberti that is responsible for ripening the cheese from the outside in.
• The mold helps break down the cheese, resulting in a soft and spreadable texture after a few weeks of aging.
• When perfectly ripe, camembert has flavors of mushrooms, nuts and a hint of ammonia.
• Camembert is best enjoyed at room temperature to allow its full flavor and aroma to develop.
• Simply slice off the top rind and spread the molten center onto bread, crackers or fresh fruit like pears and apples.
• For an appetizer, top a baguette slice with camembert and a drizzle of honey or fig jam.
• Camembert also pairs nicely with light, fruity wines like Sauvignon Blanc or Chenin Blanc.
• A true French delicacy, camembert is the ultimate cheese to savor with someone special.
• Its decadent, oozy texture and complex flavors are meant for sharing with the ones you love.

What could be a more romantic ending to a perfect date night?

Brie – The Creamy, Buttery Bloomy Rind

Brie is the ultimate crowd-pleaser and a perfect cheese for date night. This soft, creamy cheese has a delicate white rind and a pale yellow paste that becomes ooey-gooey as it ripens.

Made from cow’s milk, Brie undergoes a slow ripening process called affinage that gives it a characteristic white, bloomy rind and rich buttery flavor. As Brie ages, chemical reactions break down the cheese’s fats and proteins, resulting in a soft, spreadable texture and flavors of mushrooms, nuts, and truffles.

For the perfect cheese board, serve Brie with fresh baguette, crackers, or crusty bread to spread its molten goodness onto. Pair Brie with fruity jam, honey, or fresh berries which provide a burst of sweetness to balance its savory, umami-packed flavor. A crisp Sauvignon Blanc or medium-bodied Merlot are ideal wine pairings for Brie.

Whether enjoyed as an appetizer or a light dinner, Brie’s seductive flavor and texture make it a cheese that’s meant to be shared with someone special. As the rind ripens from white to creamy gold, Brie becomes even more decadent and irresistible. Surrender to its charms, and you’ll be richly rewarded with one of the most luxurious cheese experiences.

Humboldt Fog – A Goat Milk Variety With a Line of Ash

A soft-ripened goat’s milk cheese, Humboldt Fog is a popular choice for any cheese board. As it ages, a line of edible white ash forms through the center, giving it a distinctive look. The ash is made from vegetable charcoal and sea salt, adding subtle smoky and salty flavors to the creamy cheese.

Made in California, Humboldt Fog has subtle citrus notes balanced with the tang of the goat’s milk. The bloomy rind develops as it ripens, resulting in an oozy, decadent cheese. Pair it with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or a hoppy IPA. Spread it on bread, or enjoy with fresh or dried fruits like apricots and cranberries.

For your date night cheese board, Humboldt Fog is a showstopper. Your sweetheart won’t be able to resist its silky texture and cool, milky flavors with hints of lemon and fresh grass. A 1/2 pound round will give you plenty to share, but you may want to get a whole pound just in case! This American artisanal cheese puts California on the map for world-class fromages.

Robiola – An Italian Bloomy Rind Made With Cow, Goat and Sheep Milk

Robiola is a soft-ripened bloomy rind cheese from northern Italy made with a blend of cow, goat, and sheep’s milk. The mix of milks gives Robiola a tangy, complex flavor with nutty notes. As the cheese ripens from the outside in under its delicate white rind, the paste becomes runny and oozy.

Robiola comes in small discs, logs, or squares. The cheese is usually quite pungent, especially the longer it’s aged. Younger versions have a milder flavor and a denser, sliceable paste. The soft, creamy paste pairs perfectly with crusty Italian bread to sop up the runny goodness.

For your romantic date night cheese board, seek out a nicely aged Robiola. Its potent aroma and decadent texture are sure to delight. The mix of milks in Robiola produces rich and diverse flavors that evolve as you make your way to the center of the cheese. Cut into wedges, top with a drizzle of honey and fresh thyme, and enjoy with your favorite person. A sweet bubbly like Moscato d’Asti complements Robiola’s tangy notes.

Robiola is a cheese that stimulates the senses. Its fragrant rind, velvety white mold and oozy interior all contribute to an unforgettable tasting experience you’ll want to share. A cheese this indulgent deserves to be savored slowly, one luscious bite at a time.

Saint André – The Soft, Spreadable French Cheese

Saint André is a soft, creamy cheese from France with a bloomy white rind and an almost spreadable interior. As soon as you unwrap it, you’ll notice its pungent aroma of mushrooms and damp earth. The rind is edible and adds a tangy kick, while the gooey center tastes of nuts and herbs.

This decadently oozy cheese is made from cow’s milk in the Poitou region of western France. The curds are ladled into molds and allowed to develop a fluffy coat of penicillin roqueforti mold. After about a week of aging, the result is a rich, buttery cheese that’s perfect for smearing on crusty bread.

Saint André’s velvety texture and robust flavors pair beautifully with Sauvignon Blanc or a medium-bodied red like Pinot Noir. It also stands up well to sweet accompaniments such as fig jam, honey, or stone fruit. For a savory-sweet balance, top the cheese with candied nuts and fresh or dried fruit.

This luxurious little cheese may seem indulgent, but just a little goes a long way. Share a few ounces with your sweetheart for a special treat on date night or enjoy it as a weekend brunch. Once you taste Saint André’s seductive flavors and silky mouthfeel, you’ll be hooked. This is one cheese that’s meant to be savored.

Delice De Bourgogne – Decadent Triple Cream Bloomy Rind Cheese

The Delice de Bourgogne is a luxurious bloomy rind cheese that will make any date night extra special. This decadent French triple cream cheese has a rich and buttery ivory paste that melts in your mouth. Wrapped in a soft, edible white rind, its velvety interior has nutty, mushroomy flavors with hints of fresh cream.

• As a triple cream, Delice de Bourgogne has at least 72% milk fat, resulting in an ultra-rich and silky texture.
• Due to its high fat content, this cheese tends to be quite perishable, so enjoy it within a week of purchasing for the best quality.
• At room temperature, its paste becomes almost liquid.
• Spread it on a fresh baguette or pair it with fresh or dried fruit like apricots for a simple but indulgent treat.

For your date night cheese board, the Delice de Bourgogne is a must-have showstopper. Its decadence and melt-in-your-mouth creaminess make it a truly special experience to share with someone special. After one bite of this buttery bloomy rind, you’ll be transported to the French countryside – no passport required! A bottle of crisp, acidic wine like Sancerre helps balance the richness while allowing the cheese’s complex flavors to shine through.

A cheese this luxurious yet perishable deserves to be enjoyed without restraint or guilt. Slice off a wedge, grab your favorite person and savor each velvety, flavorful bite. The Delice de Bourgogne may disappear quickly, but the memories of a perfect date night fueled by this decadent delicacy will last.

Cypress Grove Humboldt Fog – An American Take on Bloomy Rind

One of the most well-known artisanal cheeses from the US is Cypress Grove’s Humboldt Fog. This soft-ripened goat’s milk cheese is a American take on traditional French bloomy rind cheeses like Camembert or Brie.

As the cheese ages, a coat of white penicillin roqueforti mold develops on the rind, giving it a characteristic foggy appearance. Beneath the rind, the cheese becomes soft and creamy. Humboldt Fog has subtle citrus notes balanced with a slight tang from the goat’s milk. When fully ripe, the center becomes runny, almost like cheesecake.

Originally from California, Humboldt Fog helped kick off the artisanal cheese renaissance in the US. It’s a delicious choice for any cheese board and a perfect accompaniment for honey, nuts, or crusty bread. The blend of creamy texture and bright, lemony flavors make it a crowd-pleaser.

For a special treat, try baking whole rounds of Humboldt Fog with herbs and honey until bubbly. The warm cheese pairs beautifully with a crisp glass of Sauvignon Blanc or a hoppy IPA. This acclaimed cheese deserves a place on any list of must-try bloomy rinds. Once you taste it, you’ll understand why Cypress Grove helped put American artisanal cheese on the map.

Conclusion

So there you have it, cheese lovers—seven of the creamiest, dreamiest bloomy rind cheeses to enjoy on your next romantic date night. With this guide, you’ll be ready to impress your special someone with your brilliant cheese knowledge and perfect pairing suggestions.

Just don’t forget the wine and crackers! Now go ahead, buy Bloomy Rind Cheeses, and make the most of your cozy night with your favorite person. Both the cheeses and your sweetheart will thank you.