French Cheese Month at the Cheese Shop

This month in the Cheese Shop, we’re masquerading as Francophiles and celebrating the beautiful cheeses of France! We’ll be highlighting everything from soft-ripened Bûcheron, the amazing, melty Comté, and, of course, Brie! France may not be the birthplace of cheese, but it is where cheese grew up and became a sophisticated food. Nowadays, French cheeses are some of the most in-demand cheeses in the world.

Cheesemaking really took shape in France in the monasteries in the Middle Ages. But the mid-1500s, monks had developed about 50 different types of cheeses! For years,

Cheesemaking changed drastically when pasteurization was invented in the late 1800s, altering the dairy industry completely. Foods that would have otherwise spoiled within days were shelf-stable for unprecendented periods of time. This meant that French cheese could be distributed around the world to a global market for the very first time. People who would have otherwise never been able to taste French cheese had access to these delicious foods, and they loved it!

Pasteurization is still a point of contention among cheese enthusiasts. Many believe that pasteurizing cheese alters the flavor and prefer the flavor of raw, unpasteurized cheeses. Personally, I agree that unpastuerized cheese has a slightly better flavor. However, it’s always safer to consume pasteurized milks and cheeses, and most people won’t notice a difference.

For the holidays, we’re recommending one of our favorite French raclettes that is perfect for melting and serving with dinner or as an appetizer! Raclette actually originated in France and Switzerland in the 1200s and is still made in both countries. The name “raclette” comes from the French infinitive “racler,” which means “to scrape.” Raclette is prepared by holding the cheese over a source of heat and scraping off pieces as it melts, which is where the name came from. Raclette makes a fabulous appetizer when melted and served with steamed vegetables, mini potatoes, or crusty bread. We recommend investing in a traditional reclette melting pan and using this to prepare your cheese. Once you try it, you’ll be happy to have the pan on hand; you’ll want to have raclette every day!

Right now, our Livradoux French raclette is on sale for $13.99 a pound! Join us and try some of the best cheese made anywhere in the world. Au revoir!