March 24, 2009

La Fête du Fromage - Le Crabot

There's a cheesemonger at the Olonzac market who has become a very valuable acquaintance.
While nibbling on some cheese samples at his stall one week we started talking and I told him about la Fête du Fromage. That was all it took for him to take me under his wing.

He now relishes in introducing me to something new or explaining in great detail what region or village the cheese comes from, who produces it, etc., all the while ignoring the line of customers as it builds up behind me.
Each week I struggle to translate the piles of information he flings at me in his rapid fire French. My note taking skills get better all the time.


This week he recommended le Crabot, an unpasteurized goat's milk cheese that is produced in the mountainous Ariège department in southwestern France, where it is aged for about 10 weeks in caves.

Le Crabot's buttery, nutty aroma is irresistible! And the flavor is even better; incredibly smooth and creamy with scrumptious notes of mushroom and hazelnut. Its texture is dense, chewy and very rich. And although its flavor is intense, it isn't strong, rather nice and well-rounded.

In case you haven't already guessed, I loved le Crabot! A glass of local red alongside only added to the enjoyment.



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10 comments:

Anonymous said...

ahh, divine!

cheers,

*heather*

Betty Carlson said...

I think I've tasted something quite similar to this, if not Cabrot itself, made in Ariège though. Looks great!

Jennifer said...

Heather
It is a new favorite!

Betty
It is similar to Bethmale, only made with goat's milk.
It is really nice!

spacedlaw said...

I bet I would love it too!

Sally Townsend said...

Must look out for that in the market on Saturday, hope its hot enough for lunch outside too :)

Jennifer said...

spacedlaw
You would! Definitely.

Sally
I hope you find some! And get lunch in the sun. Although I heard it is supposed to rain around Carcassonne/Béziers way.

Anonymous said...

Looks like I found a source wich will help me find a lot of new cheeses. Will go out and search for un crabot in the Paris area.

Jennifer said...

ostbloggen
I'm glad to help. You'll be able to find most of these cheeses in Paris!

DOMIONO said...

NOUS AVONS DECOUVERT LE CRABOT EN SUPER MARCHE FROMAGE EXCELLENT ET EN PLUS QUI VIELLI BIEN

Jennifer said...

DOMIONO
I'm happy to hear that you've discovered Le Crabot. It is a delicious cheese!