Tomme des Pyrénées facts for kids

Tomme des Pyrénées is a tasty cheese from France. It is known for its mild flavor. Sometimes, it has a thin layer of black or brownish wax on its outside. In 2021, this cheese got a special protection called "Protected Geographical Indication" (PGI). This means it must be made in a specific area. This rule helps keep its quality and fame linked to its home region.

History of Tomme des Pyrénées

This cheese has a long history. It was first mentioned way back in the 12th century. For a long time, small farmers made it just for their families. They could use milk from cows, goats, or sheep.

Early Mentions of the Cheese

Important people like the nobles of Saint-Girons enjoyed this cheese. Even King Louis VI of France knew about the cheese from the Pyrenees mountains.

How Cheese Making Changed

Making Tomme des Pyrénées became more professional in the 1800s. Even then, it was still made by hand. This tradition of hand-making continues today.

How Tomme des Pyrénées is Made

Tomme des Pyrénées is a type of pressed cheese. Today, it can be made from either raw or pasteurized cow's milk.

Making the Cheese Curd

First, the milk is curdled. This means it gets thick. Then, the thick milk (called curd) is cut into small pieces. These pieces are put into large molds.

Draining and Aging the Cheese

The cheese drains for a whole day. After that, it is salted. Then, the cheese goes into cool, damp cellars to age. Workers turn each cheese by hand every day. This helps it age evenly.

Aging Periods and Wax Coating

The aging time depends on the type of crust. Cheese with a black crust ages for at least 21 days. Cheese with a gold crust needs at least 45 days. Sometimes, the cheese is covered with wax, like paraffin, to protect it.

Size and Taste of the Cheese

Tomme des Pyrénées comes in different sizes. It is shaped like a cylinder with rounded edges. Smaller cheeses weigh from about 450 grams to 1.5 kilograms. Larger ones can be up to 5.5 kilograms. The cheese feels soft and tastes creamy. It is only a little bit salty. Its color is usually ivory white, but it can also be a pale yellow.

Where the Cheese is Made

This cheese is made and aged only in the same area where the milk comes from. Local workshops do all the work.

Where Tomme des Pyrénées is Produced

This cheese is made in specific areas of France. These areas are in the Aquitaine and Midi-Pyrénées regions.

Production Areas in Aquitaine

• In the Aquitaine region, it is made in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department.

Production Areas in Midi-Pyrénées

• In the Midi-Pyrénées region, it is made in the departments of Ariège and Hautes-Pyrénées.
• It is also made in the towns of Saint-Gaudens, Axat, and Belcaire.

See also

In Spanish: Tomme des Pyrénées para niños