9 French Cheeses You Didn’t Know About

Tap to Read ➤ Neil Valentine D'Silva

Can the Frenchmen be separated from their cheese? Or can the cheese be separated from the Frenchmen? Doesn't work either way, does it? Here's what we non-French people must know about the French and their world of cheeses.

"Comment voulez-vous gouverner un pays qui a deux cents quarante-six variétés de fromage?" ―Charles de Gaulle (Translation: How do you govern a nation that has 246 varieties of cheese?)

"Un repas sans fromage comme un journée sans soleil." ―French proverb (Translation: Any meal without cheese in it is like a day without the sun in it.)

The above quotes reflect how deeply ensconced cheese is in the lives of Frenchmen. Fromage , as the people there call it, is a very deep part of their daily lives. Though the quote by Charles de Gaulle indicates that there were 246 varieties of cheeses in France in his time, today, a lot more varieties are included in the list. Throughout its evolution, the French society, both rural and urban, have created and perfected several varieties of this velvety smooth dairy product.

Here's a list of some of the most popular French cheeses available worldwide and a basic description about them.

Original ingredient: Cow's milk Region of origin: Savoy Color: Pale yellow Taste: Sharp, tangy Texture: Hard, easy to cut Best accompaniment: White wine and salmon Other points: This cheese is quite similar to holed cheeses like Gruyère, Comte, and the Swiss Emmental in its taste. It is a favorite choice for fondue recipes.

Original ingredient: Unpasteurized cow's milk Region of origin: Auvergne Color: Dark cream with blue markings, brown rind Taste: Pungent, but buttery Best accompaniment: Sweet and strong wines, in salads and pastas Other points: Due to its taste, this cheese is more popular in foreign markets than the other French blue cheeses.

Original ingredient: Unpasteurized cow's milk Region of origin: Normandy Color: A dry, white rind with a creamy yellow interior Taste: A milky, melting flavor that lingers in the mouth; external ingredients like cadaverine, citrulline, or orthinine may be added to give a somewhat bitter, highlighting taste Texture: Soft, creamy, and supple

Best accompaniment: Can be used in many French preparations which do not require much heating. It is also used as a spread. Other points: Its taste depreciates drastically when heated. It is similar to Brie cheese in taste.

Original ingredient: Unpasteurized cow's milk, specifically the Montbéliard cows Region of origin: Franche-Comté Color: Dusty brown exterior rind, yellowish interior Taste: Less salty, rather sweet, and feels a bit nutty

Texture: Can be classified as semihard to hard Best accompaniment: With any item from the French cuisine and wines Other points: This is the most popular cheese produced in France and is produced with high-grade fermenting techniques.

Original ingredient: Unpasteurized cow's milk Region of origin: Normandy Color: A dry white rind with a yellower interior Taste: A subtle creamy taste that is saltier and sharper than that of Camembert Texture: Soft and smooth to feel, but has a grainy texture

Best accompaniment: Used in French cooking and eaten raw with bread, as well Other points: If you find cheese sold in the shape of a heart, it must be Neufchâtel. The American Newcastle cheese is very different from its authentic French version. Hence, if you want the true taste, insist on the French Neufchâtel.

Original ingredient: Ewe's milk Region of origin: Roquefort Color: White with blue markings Taste: Begins with a subtle creamy taste, then gets smoky, and finally ends with a salty finish. The blue areas are sharper in taste.

Texture: Semihard Best accompaniment: Wine and vegetable dishes Other points: This cheese is known as the King of Cheeses due to its assortment of tastes. It is very popular and produced in large amounts in France.

Original ingredient: Can be milk of either cows, goats, or ewes Region of origin: Mid Pyrenees and Aquitaine Color: Deep yellow with orange tinge and may show a black skin Taste: Creamy, slightly salty

Texture: Hard, requires a cheese cutter or a sharp knife for cutting Best accompaniment: Wine Other points: This cheese is sometimes marketed as the Cheese of the Pyrenees. Even today, it is made using traditional methods.

Original ingredient: Cow's milk Region of origin: Savoy Color: Grayish-brown on the exterior, creamy in the interior Taste: Mild salty, creamy

Texture: Softer than most Tommes Best accompaniment: As a spread for bread or toast Other points: This cheese is low-fat, and that's one of the reasons for its popularity in foreign countries. It is also notable for its thick rind.

Original ingredient: Goat's milk Region of origin: Berry Color: Bluish-gray Taste: A sour taste when fresh, turning nutty as the cheese matures Texture: Pliable with a hard exterior

Best accompaniments: Its pliability makes it work as a spread on bread and toast. It is also a good accompaniment with the traditional wine of Valençay. Other points: This cheese is quite recognizable due to its pyramidal shape with a flattened top. Also, it's a seasonal cheese with no production in the months of January and February.