Chevrotin facts for kids
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Chevrotin is a special kind of soft goat cheese. It is made in the beautiful Savoy region of France. This cheese has been recognized as an "AOC" product since 2002. This means it has a special protected name and quality.
Contents
Making Chevrotin Cheese
Chevrotin cheese has been made for a very long time. People started making it in the 1600s. It comes from the Alpine foothills in Savoy. This area has steep hills and thin soil.
Why Goats are Used
The land here is hard for farming. Only goats can easily move around. They are as sure-footed as chamois on the mountain slopes. This is why goat milk is used for Chevrotin.
Milk and Goats
Chevrotin is made from fresh, unpasteurized goat milk. To get the special "AOC" label, the milk must come from certain goats. At least 80% of the goats must be an "alpine breed."
How the Cheese Ripens
Chevrotin is a fresh cheese. It does not need a long time to ripen. It ripens on shelves made of pine wood. Each cheese is turned and washed with salty water three times a week. This process takes at least three weeks. In 2002, Chevrotin got its special "Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée" (AOC) and "Protected Designation of Origin" (AOP) status.
What Chevrotin Looks Like
Chevrotin cheese is shaped like a flat circle. It is usually about 9 to 12 centimeters wide. It is also about 3 to 4.5 centimeters thick. Each cheese weighs between 250 and 350 grams.
The Rind
The cheese has a thin, soft rind. This rind is a reddish-brown color. It looks a bit like the rind on other well-known cheeses, such as Munster. Chevrotin also looks similar to Reblochon cheese. Reblochon is made in the same area but uses cow's milk.
What Chevrotin Tastes Like
Chevrotin has a rich flavor. It has a slightly sour taste. This taste comes from the wild herbs the mountain goats eat. This is especially true in spring and summer.
How to Enjoy Chevrotin
You can eat Chevrotin with bread for breakfast. It is also great as part of a cheese board after a meal. The best time to eat Chevrotin is from May to September. This is about five weeks after it is made. However, you can enjoy it from April to November.
Winter Taste
During winter, goats stay in sheds. They eat hay instead of wild herbs. This changes the cheese's flavor. It does not have the same subtle herbal taste that people love.
