I first painted another cheese from Lovera's in Oklahoma, for my cheese map project. Since then I've had the pleasure of meeting Shawn Duffy who helps run the business he married into and that's been going for over 60 years. Recently I also got to meet his stepson, Mateo, who is currently the talented cheesemaker making some impressive Italian style cheeses sold around the country and .... from Oklahoma! Getting to know them both has been a lot of fun. When I recently saw their new cheese that they were showing off at the American Cheese Society's annual conference, I was struck with it's beauty. My ogling resulted in a generous gift of a full wheel of this beautiful blue to take home to my studio!

Bleu Thunder is a rustic gorgonzola made from raw Jersey cow milk with a buttery flavor and creamy texture and seductively colored with annatto seed that makes a stunning gradation of a sunset you find in postcards.

I had SO much fun painting this because the moment my eyes laid on it, I had this very image in my head.

Country of Origin: USA, Oklahoma

Availability: sold