If there’s one thing that Paris is known for, it’s cheese. The French are famous for their culinary expertise, and cheese is no exception.
With a wide variety of cheeses to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide which ones to try. In this article, we will explore some of the most popular cheeses associated with Paris.
Brie
Brie is perhaps one of the most well-known cheeses in the world and is often associated with Paris. It is a soft-ripened cheese that originated in the Île-de-France region of France, which includes Paris. Brie has a mild, buttery flavor and a creamy texture that makes it perfect for spreading on crackers or bread.
Camembert
Camembert is another soft-ripened cheese that hails from Normandy, a region in northern France that is not far from Paris. It has a slightly stronger flavor than Brie and a creamy texture that becomes runnier as it ages. Camembert pairs well with bread, fruit, and even wine.
Roquefort
Roquefort is a blue cheese made from sheep’s milk and aged in caves in southern France. While it’s not necessarily associated with Paris specifically, it is still a popular cheese choice among the French. Roquefort has a sharp and tangy taste with notes of moldy bread and earthiness.
Comté
Comté is a hard cheese made from cow’s milk that comes from the Franche-Comté region of eastern France. It has a nutty flavor with hints of sweetness and can be aged for different lengths of time to achieve different flavors.
Camembert de Normandie
Camembert de Normandie is another type of Camembert but with a protected designation of origin (PDO) that requires it to be made with specific ingredients and methods in Normandy. It has a distinct earthy flavor and a creamy texture that pairs well with bread and fruit.
Conclusion
Paris is undoubtedly known for its cheese, and these are just a few of the most popular varieties. Whether you prefer soft or hard, mild or strong, there is a cheese for every taste bud.
So next time you find yourself in Paris, make sure to try some of these delicious cheeses. You won’t be disappointed.
- Brie – mild, buttery flavor
- Camembert – slightly stronger flavor with creamy texture
- Roquefort – sharp and tangy blue cheese
- Comté – nutty hard cheese with different aging options
- Camembert de Normandie – earthy Camembert with PDO designation from Normandy region