Copius
Crottin de Chavignol, drawn for Copius

Crottin de Chavignol

Crottin de Chavignol

Latin nameChavignol AOP
FamilyDairy & eggs
OriginChavignol, Sancerrois, Berry
Season (France)April – October
FlavourTangy · Musky · Nutty · Pungent
Typical price (France)3–5 €/pièce

What it is

Nothing to do with droppings: a crot in Berry is the hollow in a riverbank where clay was dug, and that clay was turned into small oil lamps of the same name, which then served as moulds for draining curd. The container gave the cheese its name.

In the kitchen

Buy it by stage, not by weight: at ten days it is white and mild and that is the one to grill on toast; past two months it shrinks, hardens and goes blue-grey, and that one is for grating.

Goes with

Walnut Walnut oil Honey Frisée Apple Chives White wine vinegar Thyme

In season alongside

Bianchetto truffle Picodon Burgundy truffle Chabichou du Poitou Chevrotin Chinese toon shoots

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