Description
Camembert Le Petit Terroir Cheese
About Camembert Le Petit Terroir
Camembert Le Petit Terroir offers a true taste of Normandy; easygoing, yet authentic. Famous worldwide, this Camembert highlights French traditions of quality while remaining approachable. It’s a great starting point for newcomers and has plenty for cheese lovers, too.
The History
Camembert’s story dates back to the late 1700s in Normandy, in the village of Camembert. According to legend, Marie Harel, a local farmer, made a cheese she called Camembert with help from a priest who was sheltering with her during the French Revolution. Originally, Camembert was made with raw cow’s milk, developing a creamy texture and a classic white rind thanks to Penicillium candidum. (Camembert de Normandie PDO must still be made using raw milk, but unfortunately, we can’t import it into the UK at the moment.)
Camembert soon became a French favourite, loved for its smooth centre and gentle flavours. During World War I, it was included in French soldiers’ rations and gained worldwide recognition. As Camembert became popular, large producers began producing pasteurised, mass-produced versions. These remain tasty but often lack the depth and unique flavours of traditional Normandy cheeses.
That’s where Camembert Le Petit Terroir shines. Though a newer name, its goal is to revive authentic Normandy flavours and traditional cheesemaking. The name ‘little terroir’ refers to the land’s unique impact on the milk and cheese. Made with pasteurised milk but crafted to preserve classic flavours.
Camembert Le Petit Terroir – Jen’s Tasting Notes
The first thing you’ll spot with Camembert Le Petit Terroir is that classic white, bloomy rind, soft and inviting, just as it should be. The rind is edible and actually adds a lot to the flavour. When the cheese is young, the rind is delicate and a bit powdery, but as it matures, it thickens up and brings in some lovely earthy notes. smooth, with the signature soft and spreadable quality that makes Camembert so beloved. The cheese is relatively mild in flavour compared to more aged or rustic Camemberts, making it perfect for people new to this style who still want to experience its characteristic creaminess.
This cheese is gentle and nicely balanced, with fresh dairy flavours and just a hint of tang. It’s got that lovely creamy texture that melts away as you eat it. As it ripens, you start to pick up some earthy, mushroomy, and nutty notes, but nothing too strong. The flavours build up slowly, so there’s plenty to enjoy without anything getting too bold.
Some raw milk Camemberts can be wild and punchy, but Le Petit Terroir focuses on smoothness and balance. It’s clean, with enough savoury depth for versatile pairings.
How to Serve and Pair Camembert Le Petit Terroir
- Make sure you take it out of the fridge a good hour before you want to eat it so it can come up to room temperature.
- Classic pairings: The classic pairing is a dry Normandy cider, which always brings a refreshing note to the palate.
- Something a little different: If wine is more your thing, I love a lighter red, such as a Pinot Noir or Merlot, to bring out the cheese’s earthy notes without taking over.
- On the plate: On the plate, keep it simple with a French baguette. If you want to be a bit different, try toasting the baguette for a crunchy contrast.
- In the kitchen: Most people have tried baking Camembert, and it is a great way to eat this cheese. Simply cut a slit in the top of the cheese, pop in a garlic clove, add a sprig of rosemary and a dash of olive oil and bake for 20 minutes.
Jen’s note: An outbreak of lumpy skin disease in some French cows has meant we can’t get our usual Camembert de Normandie PDO. This is the next best thing!
Buying Camembert Le Petit Terroir
- Brand or Producer: Laiterie de Saint-Hilaire-de-Briouze
- Product name: Camembert Le Petit Terroir
- Milk: Cow
- Country: France
- Region: Normandy
- Strength: Medium
- Vegetarian: No
- Suitable for pregnancy: No
- Allergens: MILK
Sizes and Prices
- While little 250g cheese, £7.00
Storage Advice
- Keep refrigerated
- Wrap in waxed paper or cling film
- Remove from the fridge before serving
- Consume within 10 to 14 days of opening
Delivery and Collection
- UK wide courier delivery
- Click and collect from our Pangbourne shop
- Free local delivery available for selected postcodes
Ingredients (Allergens are listed in capitals)
MILK, salt, coagulating enzyme, ferments (MILK)
