Sheep's Milk Cheese Dairy in Centre-du-Québec: Where to Find One
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In Centre-du-Québec, Fromagerie La Moutonnière, in Sainte-Hélène-de-Chester, is the go-to place to discover sheep's milk cheese. A pioneering sheep cheese dairy in Centre-du-Québec since 1992, it offers about a dozen…
In Centre-du-Québec, Fromagerie La Moutonnière, in Sainte-Hélène-de-Chester, is the go-to place to discover sheep's milk cheese. A sheep cheese dairy in Centre-du-Québec since 1992, it offers about a dozen cheeses, a feta, a ricotta and a sheep's milk yogourt, sold in-store, online across Quebec, or through pickup.
A pioneering sheep cheese dairy in Centre-du-Québec
La Moutonnière has been established in Sainte-Hélène-de-Chester since 1992. It was the first dairy in Quebec to process sheep's milk, at a time when this type of production was still uncommon in the province. Even today, it remains a landmark for anyone looking for a sheep cheese dairy in the Centre-du-Québec region, an agricultural area where sheep farming has been part of the landscape for a long time.
The dairy processes the milk right on site, which makes it possible to follow the cheese from milking all the way through to aging. It's this direct connection to production that gives each cheese its own character.
What sheep's milk cheeses can you find there
The catalogue includes about a dozen sheep's milk cheeses, split between firm and soft varieties, plus a feta and a ricotta. There's also a sheep's milk yogourt, the Royogourt.
One product deserves a special mention: the Sein d'Hélène is made from a blend of sheep's milk and cow's milk. So it isn't a pure sheep's milk cheese, unlike most of the dairy's other cheeses. This distinction is useful for anyone specifically looking for a 100% sheep's milk cheese, whether for taste reasons or simple culinary curiosity.
The dairy also offers products you can't eat: wool socks and sheepskins, from the same flock. It's a way to showcase the whole farm, not just what ends up on the table.
How to get the cheeses: shop, pickup or delivery
For people from Centre-du-Québec or elsewhere in the province, the cheeses can be accessed in several ways. The online shop lets you order remotely, with delivery available across Quebec. For those who'd rather avoid shipping costs, pickup is offered at two locations.
This is a handy option for tourists visiting Centre-du-Québec who want to bring home some fresh cheese, or for local residents who simply want to plan their purchase ahead of time online before picking up their order.
Building a sheep cheese platter
A sheep cheese platter comes together a bit differently than a classic cow's milk platter. Firm sheep's milk cheeses often have a denser texture, while soft ones add contrast with a more delicate rind. Feta and ricotta, on the other hand, pair well with sweet or savoury accompaniments, like dried fruit or honey.
For a well-balanced platter, it's better to vary the textures rather than piling on similar cheeses. Two or three firm cheeses, one soft cheese and a feta are usually enough to give a good sense of what sheep's milk has to offer, without overwhelming the table. It's also a great way to introduce sheep's milk cheese to guests who have never tried it.
Sheep's milk cheese and lactose: what you should know
Sheep's milk cheese contains lactose, like any cheese made from milk. It should never be presented as lactose-free or suitable for lactose-intolerant people, unless clearly stated for a specific product. What the La Moutonnière team describes instead, in Tommy's own words, is that sheep's milk cheese can be a good compromise for some people who have trouble digesting cow's milk, without this being a medical guarantee.
If you have a diagnosed intolerance or allergy, caution is still advised, and it's best to check with a healthcare professional before regularly adding sheep's milk cheese to your diet.
To learn more
To dive deeper into sheep's milk, its cheeses and its history in Quebec, the dairy's blog offers additional articles on the products, production methods and life on the farm.
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