description Valençay Overview
Valençay is a French goat's milk cheese produced in the Berry region of central France, specifically in the Indre department. The cheese is recognizable by its distinctive truncated pyramid shape, which according to local tradition was created when Napoleon, upon returning from a failed campaign in Egypt, struck off the top of a pyramid-shaped cheese with his sword. Valençay is made from raw goat's milk and coated in salted ash, giving it a characteristic gray-blue exterior. The cheese received Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) status in 1998 and Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) protection.
insights Ranking position
Valençay ranks #54 of 238 in the Fermented Food ranking, behind Mirin, ahead of Emmental.
help Valençay FAQ
Why does Valençay cheese look like a pyramid with the top cut off?
Valençay is famously shaped like a truncated pyramid with a flat top rather than a pointed peak. Legend dictates that this shape was created to avoid offending Napoleon Bonaparte, who supposedly disliked the original pointed pyramid shape after returning from a disastrous campaign in Egypt.
Why is Valençay cheese coated in ash?
The dark exterior of Valençay cheese comes from a coating of salted wood ash applied to the surface of the fresh goat cheese. Historically, this ash coating helped preserve the cheese, deterred flies, and neutralized the acidity of the surface as it aged.
Where does Valençay cheese come from?
Valençay is a goat's milk cheese produced in the historical Berry region of central France. It was officially granted AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) protection in 1998 to safeguard its traditional regional production.
What is the flavor profile of Valençay cheese?
Valençay offers a complex, slightly acidic, and citrusy flavor characteristic of high-quality French goat cheese. As it ages, the ash-coated rind develops a blue-gray mold, and the inside transitions from soft to runny, deepening its earthy flavors.
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