Ossau-Iraty

Succulent fromage.

Ossau-Iraty-Brebis-Pyrenees, official surname included, is one of three sheep Appelation d'Origine Controlee (A.O.C) cheeses. The French don't know much, but they know their cheeses, and this cheese deserves their respect.

I would classify this as a "loner" cheese, or one that is better off by itself. Just like the Prima Donna, you must first enjoy the cheese's flavors on a virgin tongue to appreciate all of its complexities. After the first shard, feel free to break out your favorite acoutrements - I won't tell. Ossau has a supple texture that barely holds together as you eat it. I thought it had a unique taste, although you must consider my provincial cheese experience. It had that nearly universal "nutty" flavor, but it was more subtle. For me, the cheese strongly resembled its milky-roots, combining a lactic and earthy flavor.   

Obey the AOC. A list of the 40 AOC-cheeses follows:

Cheese from cows milk

Abondance *
Beaufort *
Bleu d´Auvergne
Bleu des Causses
Bleu de Gex *
Brie de Meaux *
Brie de Melun *
Bleu du Vercors-Sassenage
Camembert de Normandie *
Cantal
Chaource
Comté *
Epoisses
Fourme d´Ambert
Fourme de Montbrison
Laguiole *
Langres
Livarot
Maroilles
Morbier *
Munster
Neufchâtel
Pont-l´Evêque
Reblochon *
Saint-Nectaire
Salers *
Mont d'Or oder Vacherin du Haut-Doubs *

Cheese from goats milk

Banon
Chabichou du Poitou
Chevrotin *
Crottin de Chavignol
Pélardon *
Picodon
Pouligny Saint-Pierre
Rocamadour *
Selles-sur-Cher
Sainte-Maure de Touraine
Valençay


Cheese from sheeps milk

Brocciu *
Ossau-Iraty
Roquefort *

Comments

[FU]

Well, I am feeling very ignorant after reading this. Maybe because I am one of those French and "don't know much" to quote you. Or maybe because, as a scientist and scholar, I have learnt "that real science is ignorance knowing herself" to quote French philosopher Montaigne, whereas "to be ignorant of one's ignorance is the malady of the ignorant." to quote American writer Amos Bronson Alcott. I wish that when maturing a boarder view of the world, its people and its rich diversity, you will loose this confined arrogance.