Description
The Banon PDO is a cheese produced with raw and whole goat's milk ripened into walnut brown leaves tied up with a natural raffia string.
Production Area
The production area of Banon PDO is located in three departments of the region Provence-Alpes-Azur (Alpes de Haute-Provence, Hautes-Alpes, Vaucluse) and in a part of the Drôme department, in the region Rhone-Alps.
Production Method
Banon PDO is one of the rare goat cheeses which still today are obtained through milk coagulation with the addition of rennet. Once the curd is obtained, it is put by hand into moulds with twigs. First of all, a first refinement of fresh cheese is made, when it is not yet covered with leaves, at a minimum temperature of 8°C for 5-10 days. Once the cheese is wrapped into walnut leaves, a second refinement takes place at a temperature going from 8°C to 14°C for at least 10 days. Before being wrapped into the walnut leaves, the cheeses can be immersed in wine or marc spirit. This double refinement lasts 15 days after the addition of rennet and enables the development of its aromatic characteristics.
Appearance and Flavour
Banon PDO has a cream colour rind and a homogeneous, soft and velvety paste. The flavour is rather sweet and is enhanced by the migration of the tannin contained in the walnut leaf into the cheese.
History
The history of Banon PDO is the result of an ancient tradition. Already in the Middle Ages, Banon cheese was served at the big feudal tables. The farmers used to conserve the rest of cheeses, which was the main source of proteins during winter, wrapping them into walnut leaves. The production of Banon enabled to satisfy the needs of the entire year and, in particular, to survive during the long winter when the goats did not deliver the milk.
Gastronomy
Banon PDO is conserved well when wrapped into its walnut leaves, into glass or plastic boxes in a fresh room, at a temperature of about 10°C or in the least cold compartment of the refrigerator. It must be eaten at room temperature; therefore it is suggested to take it from the refrigerator an hour before consuming it. A good slice of homemade bread is ideal to taste its refined flavour. It is perfect also accompanied by fresh fruits or salad. The low-refinement cheese can be combined with red and white wines, whilst the ripe one is better with sweet white wines like Muscat.
Marketing
The product is sold as Banon PDO. It is marketed whole and wrapped into walnut leaves and it must show the European Community PDO logo.
Distinctive Features
Banon PDO features a double peculiarity, as it is a quick-coagulation.
