Baguette laonnaise facts for kids

Baguette laonnaise, also known as losange, dauphin, or baguette Thiérache, is a special kind of cheese from France. It's a bit like another famous French cheese called Maroilles cheese. This cheese is made from cow's milk and has a washed rind, which means its outside is cleaned during aging.

It comes from the Thiérache region and the city of Laon in Picardy, France. The cheese is shaped like a small loaf of bread and has a soft inside. The outside has a sticky, orange-brown skin. Cheesemakers wash it with salt water and let it age in a damp cellar for about three to four months. Its name, "Baguette laonnaise," comes from its shape, which looks like a small baguette (a French bread). It's usually about 15 cm long and weighs around 500 grams.

How Baguette Laonnaise Started

There are a few interesting stories about how Baguette laonnaise cheese began:

• One story says that a long time ago, the son of King Louis XIV (called the Dauphin) visited. Because he was young, monks made a milder version of Maroilles cheese for him by adding herbs and spices.
• Another story tells of a special "royal act" signed by King Charles VII of France. This act might have given cheese transporters a special pass to avoid paying fees. The cheese could have been created to thank the king for this favor.
• A different idea suggests the cheese was first made around the year 1930.

How Baguette Laonnaise is Made

This cheese is a special version of Maroilles cheese. The main difference is that Black pepper and Tarragon are added to the milk curd. This happens before the cheese mixture is put into its mold. All the ingredients are then mixed together and worked in a similar way to how Maroilles cheese is made.

Tip: Try not to keep this cheese in the fridge for too long. Its rind might dry out, which can make the taste become sour and a bit unpleasant.