March 24, 2011

La Fête du Fromage - Le Coup de Corne

Coup de Cornes

In my humble opinion, any French cheese producer who has the imagination and whimsy to make a cheese in the unusual shape of a long triangle with a hole punched into one end deserves our attention. Especially when said cheese tastes like a dream.

Le Coup de Corne reminds me of a soft, velvety smooth, light Camembert. Its flavor is sophisticated and full of yeast and mushrooms, and by the second bite both my husband and I decided that this has to be one of the best French cheeses that we've ever tasted.

Coup de Cornes

It is produced on a small farm in the Lauragais, La Ferme de Cabriole, who also make the distinctive looking and delicious goat cheese, Cathare.
Le Coup de Corne is their most recent creation, made from unpasteurized cow's milk. The farm is now producing quite a range of cheeses, and if these two are any indication of their passion and skill as cheesemakers, then I can't wait to try them all!

A glass of cold rosé or a light red would be a good wine match. Pin It

27 comments:

Diane H. said...

Very fun post. When we first got to France I avoided any "clever" approach to the presentation of food. In the US that's usually a sign that someone knows more about marketing than cheese-making. But I've completely changed my mind and now think of it as a sign of creativity that flows into the whole process here. Now I look for the pyramid-shaped or ones that come packed in pottery and would definitely buy a cheese with a hole.

Michel said...

Coming from a small farm and made from unpasturized milk, we won't ever find it in the US. I will definitely look for it when we are back in Provence this year. What is the purpose of the hole or is it to just make it different for marketing reasons?

Jennifer said...

Diane
I know what you mean about food "gimmicks". I usually avoid them. But when it comes to cheese, the different shapes, embellishments, etc., seem to be a good thing!

chcmichel
No, I doubt you would find it in the US. Hope you do when you come back to France however. Please let me know!
I'm not sure about the hole in the cheese. The website doesn't give any information.

Bluegreen Kirk said...

I agree with Diane in the states when the food looks good it seem to be more about marketing and not taste and quality. Would love to try some of that cheese though.

L Vanel said...

Oh my goodness, I trust you on this one, I'll be looking for it. I haven't seen this one in Lyon so far but maybe I haven't looked hard enough.

Unknown said...

Oh it looks really great! Do you know if it can be found in any bigger retailers or would I have better luck trying to find a fromagiere?

spacedlaw said...

Any idea why it has that hole?

Anonymous said...

I loved the Cathare, so I have hopes of finding this one someday. Is is almost rosé season? hooray!

Linds said...

Could you pair it with a slice of crisp Granny Smith Apple because that's exactly what I was think when I saw your photo? This cheese looks and sounds incredibly delicious. Off to cheese shop today!

Holly Bruns said...

Ohhh, Pinot Noir.

Louise said...

The shape is indeed rather astonishing- and the cheese sounds fantastic. Will have to be on the lookout for such delights on the next visit to France.

Jennifer said...

Bluegreen Kirk
I agree with Diane too. Hope you get the opportunity to taste Coup de Corne one day!

Lucy
I first noticed it about a year ago. Try Fromagerie Le Cellerier, where you bought Cathare. They might have it or be able to get it.

Jennifer said...

Rvaya
I would definitely try to find it at a Fromagerie. Please let me know if you have any luck!

Nathalie
No idea at all. Decorative, perhaps?

Jennifer said...

Camille
I bought some rosé the other day, first of the season! :)

Linds
Yes, it would be perfect with apple slices.
What did you find at the Fromagerie? Anything interesting?

Jennifer said...

Holly
Yes!

Louise
I'm sure you'll love it. When are you coming to France?

Betty Carlson said...

How interesting. I wonder if the punched out parts are sold separately, like doughnut "holes."

Amanda said...

Could it be that they had to put a hole in that cheese because it is named "le coup de corne".

Jennifer said...

Betty
Never thought of that! I would love to buy a dozen. :)

Nadege
Yes, possibly...

Grace said...

Aggh I wish we could find that cheese here in the US!! It sounds divine. Hopefully while I'm Italy in the fall I can run over to France and give it a try. I'm new to your blog, but I LOVE the (pretty ambitious) idea of trying all the cheeses of France. Bonne Chance! I can't wait to hear about some more cheeses!

Jennifer said...

Grace
There are some wonderful cheeses in Italy, but it would be worth your time to take a short trip to France to buy some French cheese as well. :)

Domaines & Terroirs said...

Hi again, I tasted this cheese at the Salon de l'agriculture in February. Isn't it great? It isn't very readily available here in Paris though. As to the hole, according to the vendeur, the hole is a reminder of head butting experience between man (the owner Ernst Fricker) and a cow and it's horn (aka corne in french),and the plug is sold at the farm. I also just saw that there is an article about the Fricker's in the latest Cheese & Wine Magazine.

Jennifer said...

Debbi
Yes, it is a fabulous cheese.
Thank you for the story! I wondered about the hole, as did almost everyone else!

Cheese and Wine magazine? Is it French? Could you please give me more information? Merci

Carina said...

The child in me wants to poke my finger in that hole, just for the hell of it.

I'm putting this one on the shopping list for my next dinner party. Can't wait to try it.

Jennifer said...

Carina
I know! And twirl it around, too? :)
Hope you find it, it is delicious!

Carina said...

You read my mind. I want to twirl away! :))

Jennifer said...

Carina
lol

CheeseMad said...

The hole allows for the bloom to permeate throughout the cheese rather than just covering the surface. This way the mushroomy flavours reachdeeper into the flesh of the cheese.