Aleppo, Syria

The latest addiction. What you see pictured above is one [of six] brands of Roquefort, a french blue cheese [of which there are 100+ different types]. I won't forget the first time I tried it. It was similar to the first time one goes cliff diving or bungee jumping. "Hey, it'll be terrible, but i'll live...maybe." Opening the package (of this particular brand) is like opening a present. There's a little bow to undo, then you slide out the built-in green tray, and are instantly dazed with its pungentness as the cheese is exposed to the air for the first time. It's slimy, moist, looks old (it is), and you can't help but be intrigued. So the first time I tried it was with a spoon, just a dab. So much happened that day. I honestly can't remember how my tongue reacted, but the seeds of cheese-lust were planted.

Today, I take great pride in being able to palette this stuff. I have an elitist sense of superiority over lowly brie-eaters. Brie tastes like soft flavorless fat supplement to me. But in time, i'll dip into that world. For now, it's roquefort, preferably melted, over baked eggplant w/ garlic, on top of pizza, or by the spoon. I try to limit myself to 100 grams per week. I know it's fattening, but the mental-stability would take a hit if I were forced to cut it.

Do they have this in the US? Check on it, and if they have the brand pictured above, even better! Get some!