P'tit Basque
P'tit Basque is a French sheep's milk cheese that Lactalis introduced in 1997, sold in small wheels of about 1.25 lb (0.57 kg). It ages for 70 days, smells pungent, and tastes mild for a sheep's milk cheese.
Key Facts
| Country of Origin | France |
| Specific Origin | France |
| Milk Type | Sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized |
| Fat Content | 45% |
| Rind | Natural |
| Texture | Semi-soft, artisan |
| Flavor | Creamy, nutty, sweet |
| Aroma | Pungent |
| Colors | Ivory |
| Forms | Small wheels, about 1.25 lb (0.57 kg) |
| Age | 70 days |
| Alternative Spellings | Petit Basque, Istara P'Tit Basque |
What is P'tit Basque Cheese?
The French dairy company Lactalis introduced P'tit Basque in 1997. The cheese follows methods that shepherds and farmers used over 100 years ago.
It is made from pure sheep's milk that farmers set aside when milking their ewes. The milk is pasteurized, and the cheese is aged for 70 days.
Wheels are small, weighing about 1.25 lb (0.57 kg). A thin light brown rind shows a basket weave pattern created during curd pressing, and plastic wrap over it keeps mold away. The cheese is medium-firm, with a pungent smell and a flavor that stays mild for a sheep's milk cheese.
Restaurants in France's Basque region serve sheep's milk cheese with black cherry preserves, putting earthy and nutty flavors next to fruit. It is served on many types of thinly cut breads, often with Bayonne ham and a pinch of Espelette pepper. Beaujolais, Merlot, and Viognier are the usual wines.
How Does P'tit Basque Cheese Compare?
The most relevant cheeses to compare P'tit Basque against.
