Cheese from Normandy

Norse Men & Women

The Normandy. Where the Norse men and women were and still are at home. Warm memories come back. Mont St Michel, Caen. Together with Brittany, a mighty force on the Atlantic.

Not really the typical wine region. Here you drink cider and look forward to a fine cheese, which is made exclusively from cow’s milk. And of course preferably made from raw milk. (for export, however, all cheeses are also made from pasteurized milk)

Camembert is the most famous cheese from Normandy, if not all of France. An institution known and loved all over the world. There is also the Livarot, Neufchatel and the Pont-l’Evêque.

Cream, Butter, Calvados

The butter and cream from Isigny are also AOP certified. However, these are harder to obtain outside of France.

In the heart of Normandy is the department of Calvados, well known to liquor lovers. From there (and only from there) comes the burnt apple cider, which then gets its wonderful color and mildness from storage in wooden barrels.

But back to the cheese. Let’s continue with the Neufchâtel. A very fine, creamy, mild cheese. With its heart shape, it is unmistakable. The shape is said to date back to the 100 Years War, when young Norman women offered their hearts to English soldiers.[1]

The Pont-l’Evêque is unique with its square shape. A soft cheese with a washed rind, with a soft paste that is mild and pleasant in taste.

[1] https://www.routedesfromagesdenormandie.fr/les-4-fromages-de-normandie/le-neufchatel/

In complete contrast to this is the Livarot. It is more suitable for rough winter weather. This red smear cheese is nutty and peppery. The French like to call this cheese ‘Colonel’, which has to do with the fact that the cheese is wrapped with 5 blades of grass and regimental commanders have 5 stripes in their rank insignia.

A pros pos, people like to drink a glass of cider or a fine beer with cheese from Normandy. And of course Calvados which is also used to refine the cheese.

CULINAMUS!

 

 

Sources
https://www.routedesfromagesdenormandie.fr/

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