Description
The Brie de Meaux PDO is a cheese produced only with raw cow's milk.
Production Area
The production area of Brie de Meaux PDO is located in the eastern side of the Paris area and includes the departments of Aube, Loiret, Marne, Haute-Marne, Meuse, Seine-et-Marne, Yonne, Hauts-de-Seine, Seine-Saint-Denis and Valde-Marne in the regions Paris-Isle-of-France, Lorraine, Champagne-Ardenne, Burgundy and Centre.
Production Method
The milk used for its production is heated only once at a maximum temperature of 37°C and coagulated for about one hour with the addition of animal rennet. Later, the curd is manually put into moulds with the traditional pelle à brie. Moulds have a diameter between 36 cm and 37 cm. Dripping is spontaneous. The cheese is salted when dry. The minimum duration of ripening is four weeks.
Appearance and Flavour
Brie de Meaux PDO has a delicate and refined flavour. It is a soft-paste cheese, with a white and velvety, flowered rind which, get russet with ripening.
History
The history of Brie de Meaux PDO is the result of the long tradition of Brie cheeses in France. Indeed, the Brie cheese was already known by Charles the Great who highly appreciated it. In 1814, during a dinner of ambassadors who were invited to bring from their Country an original cheese, the Brie de Meaux PDO was awarded with the first prize, meriting the nickname of "king of cheeses" and of "cheese of kings".
Gastronomy
Brie de Meaux PDO can be conserved in the least cold compartment of the refrigerator, sealed into a box. It must be eaten at room temperature, and the rind must not be removed. Brie de Meaux PDO is a typical table cheese and can be used as second course or at the end of a meal accompanied by fruit. In addition, as it easily melts, it is very good as an ingredient to prepare first and second courses and for the crêpes. Its peculiar delicate aroma, with a walnut aftertaste, is enhanced by the combination with Bourgogne or Bordeaux wines. The city of Meaux has officially combined this cheese with the wine of Givry.
Marketing
The product is sold as Brie de Meaux PDO. It is marketed whole, in portions, prepacked, ripened for a half of its surface.
Distinctive Features
Brie de Meaux PDO, due to its soft and sweet paste and its hazelnut flavour, is called "patisserie" cheese.
