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Tęte de Moine cheese gr. 850 approx.
DescriptionThe cheese called Fromage de Bellelay or Tęte de Moine is an uncooked, semi-hard, cheese with a very fine consistency which melts in the mouth.
The name Bellelay comes from the ancient Abbey in Bellelay, which was founded in 1136 in the Swiss Jura and almost immediately became famous for its cheese-making.
There are a couple of possible theories as to the origin of the name ?Tęte de
Moine? ? or ?monk?s head?.
The name is explicitly cited only towards the end of the 18th century and it was rapidly adopted.
It could refer to the cheese particular cylindrical shape which resembles a monk?s tonsured head, or it could refer to the quantity of cheese available ?per head? and stored in the warehouses of the monastery.
Tęte de Moine is cylindrical with a diameter of 10-15 cm, and usually it weighs between 700 and 900 grams.
Each form is very nutritious as 10 litres of cow?s milk are needed to produce just 1 kilo of cheese.
The production rule-book stipulates the exclusive use of natural milk, from cows not fed on stored fodder - all additives, of any kind, are forbidden.
Additionally, during the production process, the majority of the naturally occurring lactose runs out with the whey.
Any remaining lactose is completely eliminated during the maturation of the cheese - so Tęte de Moine cheese can even be enjoyed by those with an intolerance to lactose. The forms are usually sold either whole or in halves.
The colour of the rind varies from brown to reddish-brown, while the paste itself varies from ivory to intense pale yellow depending on the season of production.
The cheese is smooth and soft, with tiny holes, sometimes accompanied by little cracks.
It has an aromatic flavour which intensifies with ageing.
The cheese is matured for a minimum of 3 or 4 months.
According to tradition the cheese should not be cut but rather it should be shaved with the blade of the knife placed horizontally to the surface and rotated so that the thin slivers curl up like rosettes.
This procedure requires a certain skill but can be made easier by using a Girolle® - a special utensil which you can find on sale in our accessories section. | | | Country | Svizzera | | Gross Weight | 1 Kg | | Net Weight | 0.85 Kg | | Shipping in Japan | No | | Shipping in USA | No | | Shipping in China | No |
Genre: Cheeses
Our price: € 26,00*
* Shipping expenses/customs duty not included
Availability: available
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