Featured Cheese - March 2012

You are about to enjoy a cheese that was savored, and even written about, by the Romans over 2000 years ago. Its rich heritage was born in central France in the Auvergne mountains at an altitude of over 3000 feet. Auvergne has exceptionally lush pasturelands due to the volcanic soil, mountain storms, and summer sun - all of which give this celebrated cheese its rich and vigorous taste. Two thousand years ago, the curds were put into a wooden cylinder called “le Formage,” which is now the French word for cheese.

Cantal bears the AOC designation and can be found in 3 sizes – the largest wheel weighing about 95 lbs. It has a thick smooth, grayish/brown rind, and some say it smells like its fertile pasturelands. The interior is close textured and pale yellow with a sweet milky aroma, a nutty, buttery flavor, and a slightly acidic finish if it’s aged. Typically this cheese is matured from 3-9 months, and you will find it is quick to show fleur de bleu – a blue mold which the Europeans gladly eat.