Langres (French pronunciation: [lɑ̃ɡʁ] ⓘ) is a French cheese from the plateau of Langres in the region of Champagne-Ardenne.[1] It has benefited from an Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) since 1991.
| Langres | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country of origin | France |
| Region, town | Champagne-Ardenne, Langres |
| Source of milk | Cows |
| Pasteurised | No |
| Texture | Soft, washed rind[1] |
| Aging time | at least 5 weeks |
| Certification | French AOC 1991 |
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Langres is a cow's milk cheese,[2] cylindrical in shape, weighing about 180 g. The central pâte is soft, creamy in colour, and slightly crumbly, and is surrounded by a white Penicillium candidum rind. Langres cheese is known for its vibrant orange rind, achieved through the use of annatto, and its concave dent known as the "fontaine."[3] It is a less pungent cheese than Époisses, its local competition. It is best eaten between May and August after 5 weeks of aging, but it is also excellent March through December.
Production in 1998 was around 305 tons, a decline of 1.61% since 1996, and 2% on farms. In 2016, 605.5 tonnes of Langres cheese were produced by three dairies, including one farm producer.[4]
Production
editThe specifications for this Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC), recognized since 1991, were approved by Decree No. 2009-49 of January 13, 2009, published in the Journal Officiel on January 15, 2009.[5]
The specifications define an AOC area covering two districts of Haute-Marne (Chaumont and Langres), one canton in the Vosges (Neufchâteau), and four villages in Côte-d'Or. The authorized cow breeds are French Simmental, Montbéliarde, and Brown Swiss. Prim'Holstein cattle are tolerated as long as they do not exceed 50% of the herd. The specifications also state that cows must graze for a minimum of six months per year.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Jenkins, S.W. (1996). Cheese Primer. Workman Pub. p. 96. ISBN 978-0-89480-762-6. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
- ^ Donnelly, C.; Kehler, M. (2016). The Oxford Companion to Cheese. Oxford Companions. Oxford University Press. p. 427. ISBN 978-0-19-933089-8. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
- ^ "Langres". AnyCheese.com. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
- ^ "Langres Cheese Supply Chain". Fromage de Langres (in French). Retrieved 2025-04-27.
- ^ "Decree No. 2009-112 of January 30, 2009, concerning the protected designation of origin "Langres"". Légifrance (in French). 2009-01-30. Retrieved 2025-04-27.
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