Sheep's Milk Ricotta in Quebec City: A Farmstead Cheese You Can Order Online
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The sheep's milk ricotta people look for in Quebec City is made by a small artisan cheesemaker in Sainte-Hélène-de-Chester, in the Centre-du-Québec region. This fresh sheep's milk cheese is part of a lineup of about ten products from the same farm…
The sheep's milk ricotta people look for in Quebec City is made by a small artisan cheesemaker in Sainte-Hélène-de-Chester, in the Centre-du-Québec region. This fresh sheep's milk cheese is part of a lineup of about ten products from the same farm, available through an online shop with delivery across Quebec or pickup.
Sheep's Milk Ricotta in Quebec City: A Product From Centre-du-Québec
Fromagerie La Moutonnière has been processing sheep's milk since 1992 in Sainte-Hélène-de-Chester, a village in the Centre-du-Québec region. It describes itself as the first cheesemaker in Quebec to make that choice, at a time when sheep's milk was practically absent from store shelves. Ricotta is part of the catalogue, alongside several firm cheeses, soft-ripened cheeses, fetas and a sheep's milk yogurt called Royogourt.
For people living in Quebec City, this means the cheese isn't made locally: it comes from Centre-du-Québec and reaches you through delivery or pickup. That's an important detail to keep in mind before ordering, especially if you're planning a cheese board for a specific date.
What Sets Sheep's Milk Ricotta Apart From the Cow's Milk Version
Ricotta, whether made from cow's milk or sheep's milk, is traditionally a fresh cheese made from whey, the liquid left over from making other cheeses. Sheep's milk produces a richer, denser curd than cow's milk, with a slightly more pronounced flavour.
That said, it's worth being careful about generalizations: not every product from a sheep's milk cheesemaker is necessarily 100% sheep's milk. For example, La Moutonnière's Sein d'Hélène is made with a blend of sheep's and cow's milk. If the exact composition of a cheese matters to you, it's best to check the product page before buying rather than assume.
One more point worth clarifying: sheep's milk cheese contains lactose, like any cheese made from animal milk. It can't be said to be suitable for people with lactose intolerance, nor that it solves a digestive issue. Some people report tolerating sheep's milk better than cow's milk, but that's an individual matter best discussed with a health professional, not a claim about the product itself.
How to Use Sheep's Milk Ricotta in the Kitchen
Fresh ricotta lends itself to a range of uses, both sweet and savoury. Here are a few simple ways to serve it:
- Spread on toast, with a drizzle of honey or some fresh fruit.
- On a cheese board, in small amounts alongside more aged cheeses.
- Mixed into pasta filling, such as ravioli or cannelloni.
- Blended with fresh herbs for a quick dip.
- Used in a dessert, as a base for a tart or a light cake.
Like any fresh cheese, ricotta doesn't keep as long as an aged cheese. It's best to eat it within a few days of opening and to check the date printed on the packaging.
How to Order Sheep's Milk Ricotta in and Around Quebec City
For residents of Quebec City, ordering online remains the simplest way to get this ricotta and the cheesemaker's other products. The online shop lets you choose between delivery across Quebec or pickup at one of the cheesemaker's two locations. Before ordering, it's worth checking the stated delivery times and coverage areas, since these details can vary by season.
If you're hosting guests or putting together a cheese board, consider pairing the ricotta with one or two firmer cheeses to add variety in texture. The online shop features the full range of available products, including the sheep's milk cheeses and yogurt.
Other Sheep's Milk Cheeses Worth Trying
Ricotta is just one entry point into the world of sheep's milk cheese. The cheesemaker also offers firm cheeses, soft-ripened cheeses and feta-style cheeses, each with its own texture and intensity. For anyone curious to learn more about sheep's milk cheesemaking or the farm's history, the journal features articles that go deeper into these topics.
Whether you're visiting Quebec City for a short trip or simply ordering online, sheep's milk ricotta remains an accessible way to discover a milk that's less familiar than cow's milk, without committing blindly: a small format is all it takes to get a sense of it.
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Frequently asked questions
- Is ricotta made from cow's milk or sheep's milk?
- Ricotta can be made from either type of milk depending on the cheesemaker. The one offered by Fromagerie La Moutonnière, in Sainte-Hélène-de-Chester, is made from sheep's milk as part of its range of farmstead cheeses.
- What cheeses does the cheesemaker offer?
- The cheesemaker makes about ten sheep's milk cheeses, including firm cheeses, soft-ripened cheeses, fetas and a ricotta, along with a sheep's milk yogurt called Royogourt. The online shop lists the details of each available product.
- Can you buy the sheep's milk ricotta directly in Quebec City?
- As La Moutonnière explains, the cheesemaker is located in Sainte-Hélène-de-Chester, in Centre-du-Québec, not in Quebec City. For Quebec City residents, ordering online with delivery remains the simplest option, with pickup also available at one of the cheesemaker's two locations.
- Is sheep's milk ricotta suitable for people with lactose intolerance?
- No, sheep's milk ricotta contains lactose, like any cheese made from animal milk. It shouldn't be presented as a solution for lactose intolerance, and any questions on the topic should be discussed with a health professional.