Morteau sausage facts for kids
Morteau sausage being smoked
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| Alternative names | Belle de Morteau |
|---|---|
| Type | Sausage |
| Course | Main |
| Place of origin | French |
| Region or state | Europe |
| Main ingredients | pork |
The Morteau sausage (pronounced Mor-toh) is a special kind of sausage from France. It's also known as the Belle de Morteau, which means 'Beauty of Morteau'. This sausage gets its name from the city of Morteau in a region of France called Franche-Comté. It's famous for being smoked in unique, tall chimneys called "tuyés" (too-yay). Morteau sausage has a strong taste and a firm texture, and it's not cooked before you buy it.
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Morteau Sausage: A French Delicacy
Where Does It Come From?
This special sausage is made in the Jura Mountains of France. These mountains are in the Doubs area, where the land is high up, more than 600 meters (about 2,000 feet) above sea level. The city of Morteau is the main place where this traditional sausage is made.
How Is It Made?
Morteau sausage is made only from pork that comes from the Franche-Comté region. The pigs in this mountainous area are raised and fed in a traditional way.
To be called "Saucisse de Morteau," the sausages must be smoked for at least 48 hours. This smoking happens in the special "tuyés" chimneys. They use sawdust from conifer trees and juniper wood for the smoke. Even though it's smoked, the sausage isn't cooked during this process. This is because a strong airflow goes through the chimney.
Special Protection for Morteau Sausage
The Morteau sausage has a special label from the European Union. It's called a PGI label, which stands for "Protected Geographical Indication." This label is like a guarantee. It makes sure that the sausage is of high quality, comes from the right place, and is made using the correct traditional methods.
When you find an authentic Morteau sausage, it often has a small metal tag. It also usually has a little wooden stick wrapped around one end. These are signs that it's the real deal!
