Le Douanier facts for kids

Le Douanier is a special type of cheese from Quebec, Canada. It is made by a cheese maker named Fritz Kaiser. This cheese is known for its unique flavor and interesting story.

Le Douanier is a wash-rinsed cheese. This means its outside is washed regularly as it ages. This washing helps the cheese develop its special taste and texture. It is also a surface-ripened cheese, which means it ripens from the outside in. The cheese has an ivory color and gets a slight hazelnut flavor as it gets older.

What Makes Le Douanier Cheese Special?

One of the most interesting things about Le Douanier cheese is its appearance. Each round of cheese has a thin, edible line of vegetable ash running right through its middle. This line is not just for looks; it has a special meaning!

The Border Symbolism

The line in the middle of the cheese represents the Canada–US border. The place where Le Douanier cheese is made, the Fritz Kaiser fromagerie, is very close to this border. The name "Le Douanier" is French for "the customs officer." Customs officers are people who work at borders, checking goods and people. So, the cheese's name and the line inside it both celebrate this important border.

Awards and Recognition

Le Douanier cheese has won some impressive awards! It shows how good and well-loved this Canadian cheese is.

• 2004 Canadian Cheese Grand Prix: Le Douanier won the top prize at this national competition. This award recognizes the best cheeses made in Canada.
• 2015 World Cheese Awards: It also earned a Gold award at the World Cheese Awards. This is a huge international competition where cheeses from all over the globe compete. Winning a gold medal here means it's considered one of the best cheeses in the world!

Le Douanier is similar to another famous cheese called Morbier. Morbier is a French cheese that also has a line of ash through its center.