Saint-Nectaire
Saint-Nectaire
| Latin name | Saint-Nectaire AOP |
|---|---|
| Family | Dairy & eggs |
| Origin | Monts Dore, Auvergne |
| Season (France) | All year |
| Flavour | Earthy · Nutty · Mild · Umami |
| Typical price (France) | 20–32 €/kg |
What it is
It ripens on rye straw in volcanic cellars, and takes on the cellar: mushroom, damp stone, hazelnut. It reached Versailles through Marshal de Senectaire, who served it to Louis XIV — one of the few French cheeses named after the courtier who marketed it rather than the village that made it.
In the kitchen
Look for the green casein plate on the rind: oval means farmhouse, square means dairy. The difference is real.
Goes with
Potato Button mushroom Walnut Onion Butter Thyme Apple Black pepper
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