Soft-Ripened Sheep's Milk Cheese in Quebec
Published
Soft-ripened sheep's milk cheese in Quebec can be found at artisanal cheesemakers like La Moutonnière, in Sainte-Hélène-de-Chester, which has been transforming sheep's milk since 1992. Its creamy texture and bolder flavour…
Soft-ripened sheep's milk cheese in Quebec can be found at artisanal cheesemakers like La Moutonnière, in Sainte-Hélène-de-Chester, which has been transforming sheep's milk since 1992. Its creamy texture and bolder flavour than cow's milk cheese make it a popular choice for cheese boards and for anyone looking to discover new flavours.
What is a soft-ripened sheep's milk cheese
A soft-ripened cheese is a lightly pressed cheese with a higher moisture content, which develops a creamy texture as it ages. Made with sheep's milk rather than cow's milk, this type of cheese takes on a different character: the flavour is often rounder, sometimes more pronounced depending on the aging, and the texture generally stays denser than an equivalent cow's milk soft cheese.
In Quebec, this category remains less known than the classic cow's milk soft cheeses, which makes it a great way to venture off the beaten path for a cheese board or a tasting with friends.
La Moutonnière's cheeses
For over thirty years, the cheesemaker has been producing about a dozen sheep's milk cheeses, ranging from firm and soft-ripened styles to fetas and ricotta. Among the products featured on the cheesemaker's website, you'll also find Royogourt, a sheep's milk yogurt.
One example worth knowing: Sein d'Hélène, a cheese that combines sheep's milk and cow's milk. This isn't a pure sheep's milk cheese, but rather a mixed-milk cheese, which is worth pointing out before choosing it if you're specifically looking for a product made entirely from sheep's milk.
To see the full range of soft, firm, and other available cheeses, the best option is to check directly on the online shop, where the complete catalogue is featured.
How to choose and serve this type of cheese
A few useful tips to fully enjoy a soft-ripened sheep's milk cheese:
- Take it out of the fridge about thirty minutes before serving, so the aromas can fully develop.
- Pair it with country-style bread, fresh fruit, or nuts, which let the cheese's flavour shine.
- On a cheese board, vary the textures by combining a soft-ripened cheese with a firm cheese or a feta, to offer your guests a range of flavours.
- Store the cheese in its original packaging or in cheese paper, rather than in airtight plastic wrap, to prevent it from drying out or picking up moisture.
Sheep's milk, a good compromise
Sheep's milk naturally contains lactose, just like cow's milk. It is not a lactose-free product, and it shouldn't be presented as a solution for people with intolerances. That said, some people find that sheep's milk represents a good compromise in their diet, whether for the taste, the texture, or simply the desire to try something other than cow's milk.
If you have a diagnosed intolerance or allergy, caution is advised: consult a healthcare professional before adding this type of cheese to your diet.
Ordering online and pickup
The cheesemaker offers delivery throughout Quebec as well as pickup at two locations, making it easier to access their cheeses even for people who can't make the trip to Sainte-Hélène-de-Chester. For visitors to the Centre-du-Québec region, a direct visit also allows you to discover all of the farm's products, including wool socks and sheepskins.
To put together your next cheese board or simply try a first sheep's milk cheese, the online shop remains the easiest place to start.
Related reading: