
Valencay Cheese PDO
Centre-Val de Loire
Unpasteurized, Valencay Cheese PDO is whole goat's milk, a shape like a truncated pyramid, a rind coated with ash… Awarded PDO status in 1998, Valencay cheese makes a change. And the cheese itself changes, or rather evolves. Over time, its light, creamy texture becomes firmer, and its goaty, nutty flavors become more pronounced. Something for everyone!
What you need to know
The production of Valencay cheese may be simple, but there are strict conditions that must be met. The PDO only permits the use of milk from goats belonging to the Alpine or Saanen breeds or a cross between the two. Then there is their feed, which must consist primarily of grass, consumed through grazing, and cereals produced on the farm itself. The use of GMOs is also prohibited and the rest of the process is just as tightly regulated. The milk, which must be from no more than four milkings, is coagulated over 24 hours, using rennet. The curd that forms is transferred directly to molds, where it then drains for at least another 24 hours. Next, the fresh cheeses are removed from the molds, salted and covered with a food grade, vegetable charcoal before being left to dry for a whole day. Following this drying phase, they are placed in a ripening room to mature for at least eleven days. The rest is a matter of taste!
Characteristics
Look
Taste
Editor's note
How to use
Storing Valencay Cheese PDO
Keep refrigerated, in its original packaging.
Preparing Valencay Cheese PDO
Take your Valencay out of the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before serving to fully appreciate it.
Using Valencay Cheese PDO
Enjoy simply with a seeded baguette, try a very young version in a beet salad or a zucchini gratin, or use an older, drier variant on pasta for example.
Pair with
Honey, dried fruits, figs, tomatoes, salad, apples, or fresh herbs. As for wine, Valencay cheese is best paired with… a Valençay white, obviously!