Frankly, Cantal cheese has always been a bit of a wishy-washy, rather tasteless, version of English Cheddar.
There are 3 versions of Cantal; jeune (1-2 months old), entre deux (2-6 months old), and vieux (more than 6 months old). The old is usually sold under the name of Salers (see here)
I think that someone must recently have been having a wee word in the major Cantal producers ears, because over the last couple of years the entre deux has radically improved and become a much more rounded cheese. There is often a slight blush of blue towards the exterior crust, which is usually a good sign of flavour; and the cheese texture itself has now become crumbly, whereas before it was soapy. Maybe they are now keeping it for the full 6 months, instead of flogging it off at 2.
Cantal is the standard cheese of France. It is eaten in sandwiches, thrown into omelets, and grated over anything that requires a cheesy topping. It's the standby cheese that is usually found in every French fridge.
I recommend the entre deux, but only if your local shop has run-out of good Mature Cheddar!
Good mature Cheddar is hard to find here. I'll see if Cantal is stocked here and try the vieux and entre deux. I enjoy a good crumbly cheese with an apple or a slice of fruit cake.
ReplyDeleteHard to find in Derbyshire? That's a SIN.
ReplyDeleteWe usually have the entre deux. Love your cheese knife!
ReplyDeleteIn France at the moment, Catalan country, enjoying the Camembert for breakfast.
ReplyDeleteSuch a variety of cheeses on the local markets, as well as the Catalan speciality of chirozo, just working our way through a selection of them.
I do love most cheese and when last in France had tons of the stuff with enormous tomatoes..so tasty...and that knife is lovely!
ReplyDeleteYour cheese knife is brilliant.. wouldn't want to give our mice further ideas though.
ReplyDeleteYes I like the cheese knife too :)
ReplyDeleteI think some english cheeses are hard to beat too.
ReplyDeleteAdrian should try the Cheddar Gorge in Ashbourne and the Hartington cheese company... Especially if, like me, he is partial to a crumbly white Stilton!!
Like everyone else, I'm atken with the knife.. Made by a friend?, Yourself?
I think it came from Dubai; a gift from a friend. But I've seen similar on sale in the UK.
DeleteI always buy the entre deux or the vieux and like them very much. Have to confess though, we always take a couple of giant slabs of very mature cheddar with us when we go to France!
ReplyDeleteLooks almost like a parmesan. I'd try it as long as it wasn't too bitter.
ReplyDeleteNever tried Cantel but I do like mature cheddar - it's the only sort we buy.
ReplyDeleteI've really really wanted to try Wensleydale (made famous here in the states by Wallace & Grommitt) but having no luck....can anyone describe what it tastes like to them?
ReplyDeleteWe get "seriously sharp" cheddar from Vermont that makes the cheeks pucker. Awesome stuff. None of that bloody "American cheese"crap in this household. Makes it a bit dicey though to order a grilled cheese out for the kids when they start yelling about the orange stuff between the limp bread...
From my own recollection, Wensleydale is quite mild and slightly sweet. It's not what I would call a 'popular' cheese back in the UK.
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