Époisses: Difference between revisions
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'''Époisses de Bourgogne''' is a legally-demarcated cheese made in the village [[Époisses]] and its environs, in the [[Côte-d'Or|département of Côte-d'Or]], about halfway between [[Dijon]] and [[Auxerre]], in the former [[duchy of Burgundy]], France, from agricultural processes and resources traditionally found in that region. |
'''Époisses de Bourgogne''' is a legally-demarcated cheese made in the village [[Époisses]] and its environs, in the [[Côte-d'Or|département of Côte-d'Or]], about halfway between [[Dijon]] and [[Auxerre]], in the former [[duchy of Burgundy]], France, from agricultural processes and resources traditionally found in that region. |
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Commonly referred to as '''Époisses''', it is a pungent soft-paste |
Commonly referred to as '''Époisses''', it is a pungent soft-paste [[cow]]s-milk cheese. [[Smear-ripened]], 'washed rind' (washed in brine and ''marc de Bourgogne'', the local [[pomace brandy]]), it is circular at around either {{convert|10|cm|in|1|abbr=on}} or {{convert|18|cm|in|1|abbr=on}} in diameter, with a distinctive soft red-orange color. It is made either from raw or pasteurised milk.<ref>http://gaugryfromager.fr/the-gaugry-cheeses/epoisses-aop/</ref> It is sold in a circular wooden box, and in restaurants, is sometimes served with a spoon due to its extremely soft texture. The cheese is often paired with [[Trappist beer]] or even [[Sauternes (wine)|Sauternes]] rather than a red wine. |
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Since an increase in the transmission rate of serious and sometimes fatal human disease via the bacterial organisms of the '''listeria''' group has been linked to this and other unpasteurized cheeses, Époisses imported into the United States having been aged not more than 49 days has been prohibited. However, pasteurized cheeses have also been known to harbor Listeria spp. Certain populations seem to be at higher risk for '''listeriosis''', but it is not known whether other hygenic measures are of benefit in this regard. It is not known if there are populations who are not susceptibile to Listeriosis . Pasteurization seems to reduce the risk of finding a cheese without the detectable presence of Listeria by about one-half, but by no means does it eliminate that risk, as the presence of '''listeria''' species is widespread in the environment. Advice has been given by medical authorities that those who are at special risk of listeriosis avoid cheese, namely pregnant women and immunocompromised patients to avoid unpasteurized pâtés and foods such as soft cheeses like feta, Brie, Camembert cheese, and bleu. |
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[[Napoleon]] was a particular fan of the cheese,<ref name=dk>{{cite book | last = Masui | first = Kazuko |
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| ⚫ | At the start of the sixteenth century, the village was home to a community of [[Cistercians]] at [[Cîteaux Abbey|L'Abbaye de Citeaux]] that, according to oral legend, began production of the cheese. Two hundred years later, when the community left, local farmers inherited the recipe, which developed over the next century. [[Napoleon]] was a particular fan of the cheese,<ref name=dk>{{cite book | last = Masui | first = Kazuko |
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|author2=Tomoko Yamada |
|author2=Tomoko Yamada |
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| title = French Cheeses |
| title = French Cheeses |
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| isbn = 0-7513-0896-X | page = 133 }}</ref> and the famous epicure [[Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin|Brillat-Savarin]] himself classed it as the "king of all cheeses". |
| isbn = 0-7513-0896-X | page = 133 }}</ref> and the famous epicure [[Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin|Brillat-Savarin]] himself classed it as the "king of all cheeses". |
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Although popular at the start of the 20th century, with over 300 farms manufacturing the cheese, production had all but died out by the end of the [[Second World War]]. This resulted from the loss of a significant portion of the male population, leaving the women to work the fields, which in turn led to the neglect of the local dairy businesses and cheese-making. |
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| ⚫ | At the start of the sixteenth century, the village was home to a community of [[Cistercians]] at [[Cîteaux Abbey|L'Abbaye de Citeaux]] that, according to oral legend, began production of the cheese. Two hundred years later, when the community left, local farmers inherited the recipe, which developed over the next century. |
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In 1956 a pair of [[Small farm|small farmers]], Robert and Simone Berthaut, decided to re-launch the production of Époisses by mobilizing the traditional skills of those who still knew how to make the cheese. Berthaut Époisses increasingly gained favor among its devotees and became a spectacular success. The business is now carried on by their son, Jean Berthaut. Fromagerie Berthaut is currently responsible for the manufacture of all fermier Époisses, although several [[Artisan cheese|artisanal]] fromageries now manufacture the cheese.<ref name=dk/> |
In 1956 a pair of [[Small farm|small farmers]], Robert and Simone Berthaut, decided to re-launch the production of Époisses by mobilizing the traditional skills of those who still knew how to make the cheese. Berthaut Époisses increasingly gained favor among its devotees and became a spectacular success. The business is now carried on by their son, Jean Berthaut. Fromagerie Berthaut is currently responsible for the manufacture of all fermier Époisses, although several [[Artisan cheese|artisanal]] fromageries now manufacture the cheese.<ref name=dk/> |
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Under AOC regulation, only cheese made in listed communes in the [[Côte-d'Or]], [[Haute-Marne]], and [[Yonne]] departments may bear the appellation.<ref name=inao/> |
Under AOC regulation, only cheese made in listed communes in the [[Côte-d'Or]], [[Haute-Marne]], and [[Yonne]] departments may bear the appellation.<ref name=inao/> |
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Since an increase in the transmission rate of serious and sometimes fatal human disease via the bacterial organisms of the [[listeria]] group has been linked to this and other unpasteurized cheeses, Époisses imported into the United States having been aged not more than 49 days has been prohibited. {{Citation needed}} |
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==Bibliography== |
==Bibliography== |
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Revision as of 17:11, 13 June 2016
| Époisses | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country of origin | France |
| Region, town | Côte-d'Or, Époisses |
| Source of milk | Cows |
| Pasteurized | Some |
| Texture | Soft, washed rind |
| Aging time | at least six weeks |
| Certification | French AOC 1991 |
 Related media on Commons | |
Époisses de Bourgogne is a legally-demarcated cheese made in the village Époisses and its environs, in the département of Côte-d'Or, about halfway between Dijon and Auxerre, in the former duchy of Burgundy, France, from agricultural processes and resources traditionally found in that region.
Commonly referred to as Époisses, it is a pungent soft-paste cows-milk cheese. Smear-ripened, 'washed rind' (washed in brine and marc de Bourgogne, the local pomace brandy), it is circular at around either 10 cm (3.9 in) or 18 cm (7.1 in) in diameter, with a distinctive soft red-orange color. It is made either from raw or pasteurised milk.[1] It is sold in a circular wooden box, and in restaurants, is sometimes served with a spoon due to its extremely soft texture. The cheese is often paired with Trappist beer or even Sauternes rather than a red wine.
History
At the start of the sixteenth century, the village was home to a community of Cistercians at L'Abbaye de Citeaux that, according to oral legend, began production of the cheese. Two hundred years later, when the community left, local farmers inherited the recipe, which developed over the next century. Napoleon was a particular fan of the cheese,[2] and the famous epicure Brillat-Savarin himself classed it as the "king of all cheeses".
Although popular at the start of the 20th century, with over 300 farms manufacturing the cheese, production had all but died out by the end of the Second World War. This resulted from the loss of a significant portion of the male population, leaving the women to work the fields, which in turn led to the neglect of the local dairy businesses and cheese-making.
In 1956 a pair of small farmers, Robert and Simone Berthaut, decided to re-launch the production of Époisses by mobilizing the traditional skills of those who still knew how to make the cheese. Berthaut Époisses increasingly gained favor among its devotees and became a spectacular success. The business is now carried on by their son, Jean Berthaut. Fromagerie Berthaut is currently responsible for the manufacture of all fermier Époisses, although several artisanal fromageries now manufacture the cheese.[2]
Manufacture
At the first stage of manufacture, the whole milk is heated to around 30 °C (86 °F) with the coagulation lasting for at least 16 hours. The fragile curds are drained in moulds, and the whey then allowed to run off. Around 48 hours later the cheese is removed, salted, and placed on racks to dry; once dry, it is moved to cellars to mature.
Each cheese is rinsed up to three times per week in a mixture of water and marc, and brushed by hand to spread the bacteria evenly over the surface. The yeast and fermenting agents produce the distinctive orange-red exterior, as it develops over a period of around six weeks.
In 1991, the cheese was awarded AOC status, which states that the manufacture must follow the following rules:[2][3]
- The milk's coagulation must be performed by lactic acid and continue for 16 hours.
- The curd must be cut roughly as opposed to being broken.
- After drainage, only dry salt may be used.
Under AOC regulation, only cheese made in listed communes in the Côte-d'Or, Haute-Marne, and Yonne departments may bear the appellation.[3]
Health Risks
Since an increase in the transmission rate of serious and sometimes fatal human disease via the bacterial organisms of the listeria group has been linked to this and other unpasteurized cheeses, Époisses imported into the United States having been aged not more than 49 days has been prohibited. [citation needed]
Bibliography
- The Cheese Plate, by Max McCalman, David Gibbons
- Cheese & Wine: A Guide to Selecting, Pairing, and Enjoying, Janet Fletcher
- The Devil's Picnic, Taras Grescoe
- Histoire du fromage d'Epoisses, Georges Risoud, Editions de l'Armançon, 2000
- Edward Trencom's Nose, by Giles Milton
References
- ^ http://gaugryfromager.fr/the-gaugry-cheeses/epoisses-aop/
- ^ a b c Masui, Kazuko; Tomoko Yamada (1996). French Cheeses. Dorling Kindersley. p. 133. ISBN 0-7513-0896-X.
- ^ a b "Epoisses". INAO.
External links