Copius
Chabichou du Poitou, drawn for Copius

Chabichou du Poitou

Chabichou du Poitou

Latin nameChabichou du Poitou AOP
FamilyDairy & eggs
OriginHaut-Poitou, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Season (France)April – October
FlavourNutty · Tangy · Milky · Mild
Typical price (France)5–8 €/pièce

What it is

Its truncated-cone mould is called a bonde, after the wooden bung that stops a wine cask. The name of the cheese is said to come from chebli, Arabic for goat — the story goes that goats were left behind near Poitiers after 732 — which is a good deal more romantic than any document supports.

In the kitchen

It holds its shape in the oven where a lactic log slumps: split it across, sit it on toast under a hot grill for four or five minutes, and the paste warms without running.

Goes with

Walnut Honey Chives Radish White wine vinegar Thyme Apple Walnut oil

In season alongside

Selles-sur-Cher Rampion Rocamadour Valençay Pauillac lamb Bintje potato

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