Bloomy disc

The classic white-coated disc: mold ripens it from the outside in, so a young one has a chalky line down the middle and an old one has none.

MilkCow

TextureSoft

RegionTemperate river plains

Aging3–6 weeks

What to look for

An even, close coat with no gray. Ammonia on the nose means it is past, not ripe.

Cream added back to the milk before setting. Rich enough that most people eat a third of what they intended…

A truncated pyramid dusted with ash before the mold takes, which slows the rind and lets the paste catch up.