Rockflower (Fluehbluemi) Cheese

Rockflower (Fluehblüemli) is a semi-firm mountain cheese from Entlebuch, Switzerland, where it’s crafted with raw milk from cows grazing on flower-studded meadows in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Aged 9–12 months, it develops a balanced flavor profile with complex notes of cream, umami, and pine nuts. The texture is yielding yet sliceable, with a thin reddish-brown rind and no crystals. This careful affinage results in a beautifully nuanced, elegant cheese that captures the essence of the alpine landscape.

The cheese is the creation of Silvio Schöpfer, an adventurous cheesemaker whose family has been making cheese in Werthenstein for over a century. Inspired by the yellow alpine flower Fluehblüemli (Swiss Rockflower), Silvio and his family developed this cheese to honor the wild traditions of the Swiss Pre-Alps. After four months of aging at their Kleinstein dairy, the wheels travel to Reichenbach in the Kander Valley, where they are matured for at least ten months at the foot of the Blüemlisalp massif. The unique mountain climate contributes to the cheese’s depth and refinement, making each wheel a reflection of place and tradition.

• Pairings: Alpine lagers, Belgian-style ales, Grüner Veltliner, dry Riesling, Pinot Noir