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Life

01st May 2014

Cheese of the Month: Camembert

A delicious cheese that’s well worth tasting!

Una Kavanagh

When it comes to cheese, we can’t get enough of it.

From the wonderfully strong Roquefort to the mild Tomme de Chèvre – the list of amazing cheeses is very long.

In this new feature for all the cheese lovers out there, we’re looking at some our favourite and tasty cheeses from across the world.

This month we’re looking at one of France’s most delicious, soft cheese:

Camembert

Origin: France

This amazing soft cheese was first made in the late 18th century at Camembert, Normandy in northern France. The cheese was famously issued to French troops during World War I, and quickly became a staple of popular culture in the country.

From the early 20th century on, the rind was developed to be the signature white but it wasn’t until the 1970s that the pure white was standard.

These days, it’s internationally known and available in supermarkets across the globe. In 1992, the variety named “Camembert de Normandie” was granted a protected designation of origin after the original AOC in 1983.

Why it’s so tasty:

Though similar to Brie, Camembert holds a stronger flavour and different shape. Traditionally, Brie was produced in large wheels and ripened more slowly than the smaller Camembert.

The cheese itself has a mild and buttery salty flavour with underlying woodlandish flavours of garlic and mushroom.

It has a soft and creamy interior that goes well with grapes and sun-dried tomatoes. When served warm and melting, it turns into a smooth soft cheese spread perfect for spreading