Morbier takes its name from the village of Morbier in the Franche-Comté region. The first mention of Morbier cheese in historical sources dates back to the late 18th century, and in a document from 1795 it is mentioned as Petit Morbier.

The farmers of the region usually supplied milk to local cheesemakers in the villages, but sometimes the harsh climate of Franche-Comté prevented journeys from the farms to the village centers. The farmers then began to make their own cheese. The curd from the evening milking was covered with a layer of ash to protect it, and after the next morning milking, a second layer of full-fat morning milk was added to the previous curd.

The cheese is aged in the cellar for at least 45 days, and an average of 60–70 liters of milk are used to make a 7-kilogram block of cheese. The dark horizontal stripes on the cheese are now created using carbonized vegetable matter.

The finished cheese has a thin, even rind and is beige or orange-pink in color. The flavor of the cheese has been described as mild, fruity, vanilla and milky. The cheese is perfect for a cheese platter or even a Raclette pan!