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This month we’re feeling the joie de vivre as we celebrate a place that’s known for its cheese and its fancy cachet—France! And we have three fantastic French cheeses and three perfect pairings to go along with them. So, mesdames et monsieurs, let’s take a look at what special treats await in this month’s Ooh La La box!
Bleu d'Auvergne by Société Fromagère du Livradois
The Société Fromagère du Livradois is a family-run company that has been passed down for three generations and prides itself on producing some of the finest and most flavorful cheeses in the Auvergne region, including their famous Bleu d’Auvergne. This rich and creamy blue cheese is made using fresh cow’s milk and is characterized by its moist, soft and crumbly texture as well as its full, yet welcoming scent. The flavor is buttery and salty with hints of grass and wildflowers, finishing with a final earthy and delicious kick. A heavenly combination of everything a special cheese should be.
Bleu d' Auvergne from Société Fromagère du Livradois and the Black Cherry Chutney from Maison Rivière.
Fromager d' Affinois from Fromagerie Guilloteau
The Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France is known for its mountainous, green landscape and delicious cheeses, and this double-cream, soft-ripened delight from Fromagerie Guilloteau is no exception. Using an innovative method created by their founder that disperses the milk proteins evenly throughout the paste, the result is a particularly smooth, decadently-rich texture that is loaded with silky fats in each bite, while bursting with the taste of earthy, fresh butter, and sweet vanilla. So if you're in the mood for something French, fancy, and consistently delicious, this is the one for you.
Fromager d' Affinois from Fromagerie Guilloteau with the Le Sablé Butter Shortbread Biscuits by La Mère Poulard
Mimolette Jeune by Isigny Sainte-Mère
The Isigny Sainte-Mère dairy cooperative is a world-renowned producer of traditional, high-quality dairy products. The cooperative was established in Normandy, in 1909 and has since built a reputation for producing some of the finest cheeses in the world. One of their most popular is the Mimolette Jeune, a unique orange cheese that resembles a cantaloupe in appearance and has the nutty, sharp flavor of a well-aged cheddar. The cheese is cave-aged for 3 months during which it takes on a fine coat of mold—and that’s not the only thing growing on the rind. Mimolette is also known cheese mites that live on the outside. The cheese-friendly mites eat this mold, helping to aerate and age the interior while further developing the rind. These microscopic workers are completely harmless to us humans and play an important role in giving the cheese its interesting finished look.
The Mimolette Jeune from Isigny Sainte-Mère along with the White Nougat Bar by Chabert & Guillot
La Sablé Butter Shortbread Biscuits by La Mère Poulard
Renowned chef Annette Poulard was born into a family of innkeepers, cooks, and food lovers. Her passion for creating recipes, and the dream of running her own inn eventually came true when she opened La Mère Poulard in the town of Mont-Saint-Michel. The inn quickly became known for its delicious food and outstanding hospitality, and her culinary offerings became sought after by visitors from all over the world. Today, La Mère Poulard still uses the same original recipes and techniques that Annette developed all those years ago. These shortbread cookies start crisp, then melt into a bite of sweet buttery goodness. They are rich, simple, and an authentic reflection of the tradition of French cuisine.
Black Cherry Chutney with Pistachios from Maison Rivière
Hailing from the Southern town of Castelnaudary, Maison Rivière's products are inspired by their country and carefully designed with cheese in mind. Producing classic French specialties based on family recipes passed down since 1956, The Rivière family name became immediately associated with freshness, quality, and authenticity. The subtly sweet and slightly tangy taste of this chutney, carries a hint of pistachio and is mild enough to add the perfect amount of “extra” to whatever it accompanies.
White Nougat Bar by Charbert & Guillot
Since 1848, Chabert & Guillot has been specializing in the production of authentic nougats known for their soft, pillowy texture and sweet, nutty flavor. Based in Montèlimar, the capital of French nougat-making, their family business has become one of the more famous of the 14 manufacturers in that town that create the sugary confection. A perfect after-cheese treat, it’s amazing with a coffee, tea, or glass of your favorite brandy.
We hope you love this French and fancy holiday box, and thank you for joining us on another cheese-adventure. We'll see you next time! Ç'EST LE FROMAGE!
Did you take some photos while enjoying this box that you were thinking of adding to Instagram? Please tag us @curdbox along with our cheese and pairing-partners:@fromagerdaffinois.au, @isignystemere, @biscuiterielamerepoulard, @maisonriviere, and @nougat_chabert_et_guillot
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