WHAT IS CHAUMES?
Nicknamed “stubble”, this cow’s milk cheese looks like a cross between an orange and a pancake. It is a Trappiste-style cheese made in the South West of France since 1971. Despite being a washed rind cheese (giving it notes of hazelnut), it is popular with French children. This is due to its fatty fat fat flavor, rubbery texture and melting properties.
WHERE IS CHAUMES MADE?
Chaumes is made in the village of Saint-Antoine-de Breuilh in Perigord. Located at the entrance of the Pyrénées, this region is famous for its foie gras and black truffles. Imagine sitting on the Dordogne River, munching on a floury baguette with a nice dab of foie, a slice of chaumes silencing the mouths of whiny children, and a glass of Montbazillac wine. Sounds nice, doesn’t it!
“THERE IS MORE TO LIFE THEN JUST SEX”
This French advertising slogan was featured on billboards in the 1980’s in Périgord. Of course in a country that prides itself on l’amour, this was a huge failure. But the fear of désertification (rural exodus) and its’ inherent threat to French culture is ever present. For a very good witness exploration of this, click here.
WHAT CAN I PAIR WITH CHAUMES ?
Honestly, this is a cheese friendly to people who don’t want anything too overwhelming. If your partner or you don’t like goat or sheep’s milk, don’t like pungent or blue cheeses, give this fromage a try. For a French cheese flight, avoid other cheeses with too much flavor or they’ll overshadow your Chaumes. A younger Comte and a camembert would work nicely. Or if you want to go more international, try an English cheddar and an Italian grana padano. Regarding tasty beverages don’t go with anything too pricey. Whatever mild beer or white wine that is on sale at your local market is fine.