Camembert de Normandie Cheese

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Camembert de Normandie is an AOC-designated cheese from Normandy, considered the original and highest quality Camembert. Made from raw cow's milk, this cheese offers a deep, earthy flavor and a creamy, lush texture. It is characterized by its white, bloomy rind and soft, slightly salty interior.

What is Camembert de Normandie Cheese?

Camembert de Normandie is a French cheese with a semisoft texture and a rich history. It gained PDO status in 1983, ensuring its production follows strict guidelines. This cheese originates from Normandy, celebrated for its creamy feel and bloomy rind.

The legend credits Marie Harel with its invention during the French Revolution. Yet, its fame spread in the 1700s, becoming a national treasure. Camembert's story intertwines with French history, from royal presentations to becoming a staple in the diet of French soldiers during World War I.

Only raw milk from Normande cows is used, adhering to traditional methods. These include feeding cows on natural pastures and using wooden tools for cheesemaking. The result is a cheese known for its golden color and rich flavors.

Today, a few dairies, including some farmsteads, continue making Camembert de Normandie. Despite modern challenges, it remains a symbol of French culinary heritage, embodying the art of cheesemaking.

Key Facts About Camembert de Normandie Cheese

Country of Origin France
Specific Origin Normandy
Certification PDO (1983)
Milk Type Cow's Milk
Milk Treatment Raw, not heated over 104°F
Rind Bloomy, white
Texture Young: Narrow unripe core; Aged: Homogeneous, sticky
Flavor Young: Lactic, tangy, sweet; Aged: Pungent, mushroom, garlic
Aroma Lactic to pungent with notes of mushroom and garlic
Colors Ivory to light yellow
Forms Disk
Age ~30 days