Ossau-Iraty facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ossau-Iraty |
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| Country of origin | France |
| Region, town | French Basque Country |
| Source of milk | Ewe |
| Pasteurized | No |
| Texture | Medium firm |
| Aging time | 80 or 120 days minimum, by weight |
| Certification | AOC 1980, PDO |
| Named after | Lua error in Module:Wikidata at line 70: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). |
Ossau-Iraty is a special kind of cheese from the south-west of France. It is made from sheep milk and has a unique taste. This cheese gets its name from the beautiful places where it comes from: the Ossau Valley and the Irati Forest. It's a traditional food from both the Occitan and Basque regions.
Contents
Where Ossau-Iraty Comes From
Ossau-Iraty cheese is made in the south-western part of France. This area includes the Northern Basque Country and a region called Béarn. The cheese is named after two important places there. One is the Ossau Valley in Béarn. The other is the Irati Forest in the Basque Country.
Special AOC Status for Ossau-Iraty
Since 1980, Ossau-Iraty has had a special label called appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC). This label is like a guarantee. It means the cheese must come from a specific area and be made in a traditional way. This helps protect its quality and unique character. Ossau-Iraty is one of only three sheep's milk cheeses in France with this important AOC status. The other two are Roquefort and Brocciu. Shepherds in the region have been making this cheese for a very long time.
How Ossau-Iraty Cheese is Made
The way Ossau-Iraty is made still uses many old-fashioned methods. The sheep that provide the milk often graze on mountain pastures. The milk for this cheese must come from specific sheep breeds. These breeds are called Basco-béarnaise, Red-face Manech, or Black-face Manech.
This cheese is not cooked during its making process. Instead, it is pressed to remove extra liquid. If you buy a farm-produced version, called fromage fermier, it must be made with raw, unpasteurized milk. This means the milk has not been heated to kill germs.
What Ossau-Iraty Looks Like and Tastes Like
Ossau-Iraty has a special look and feel. Its outer crust can be yellow-orange or even gray. The inside of the cheese, called the body, can be white or creamy. The exact color depends on how long the cheese has been aged. It feels smooth, creamy, and firm when you touch it. Sometimes, you might see small holes, called "eyes," inside the cheese.
See also
In Spanish: Ossau-Iraty para niños
