Patrick Oconnell
Comté cheese is a hard cheese produced mainly in the Franche-Comté region of France. It is made from unpasteurized cow's milk in the Jura Mountains along the border with Switzerland. Comté has a unique production process that is specific to its region and is sold at several different ages, from young to special reserve. Those looking to buy Comté cheese can find it at Aldi in the UK, and in the US, it can be purchased online from Marky's and Murray's Cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Jura Massif region, France |
| Type of milk used | Cow's milk |
| Milk source | Montbéliarde or French Simmental cows (or cross breeds of the two) |
| Production process | Cooked, pressed cheese |
| Texture | Semi-hard, supple, grainy, firm, crystalline |
| Flavour | Nutty, smoky, fruity, sweet |
| Availability | Aldi (UK), Marky's, Murray's Cheese |
| Regions | Jura Mountains, Franche-Comté, Doubs, Ain |
| Production regulations | AOC, European Union PDO |
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What You'll Learn
Specialist cheese shops
One such shop is The Courtyard Dairy, an award-winning cheesemonger located near Settle, UK. The owners, Kathy and Andy, have a wealth of experience in the cheese industry and have won awards such as the World Cheese Awards Cheesemonger of the Year in 2013. The Courtyard Dairy specialises in unpasteurised cheeses, sourcing their products directly from individual farms to ensure superior quality and taste. They also offer online shopping and delivery services, ensuring that customers across the country can access their exquisite cheeses.
Paxton & Whitfield is another renowned cheese shop with a long history as a family-owned business. They have been operating for over 225 years and are known for their high-quality products and commitment to sustainability. Paxton & Whitfield offers a variety of cheese-related products, including hampers, accompaniments, and cheese boards. They also provide online resources, such as "how-to" guides and monthly online tastings, to educate and engage their customers.
In addition to these established shops, there are numerous other specialist cheese retailers and online stores that stock Comté cheese. Simon's Specialty Cheese, for example, offers fresh cheese curds on select days of the week. Marky's, an online retailer, curates a selection of Comté cheeses, allowing customers to find their perfect choice. These shops showcase the accessibility of Comté cheese through their dedication to sourcing, maturing, and selling specialist cheeses.
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France
Comté cheese is a firm pressed cheese made from the raw milk of red and white Montbéliarde cows in the Jura Mountains of France, in the region of Franche-Comté. The cheese is produced in small, cooperative dairies, known as "fruitières", which collect milk from farms within a 15-mile radius. It is one of France's most famous and popular cheeses.
The manufacture of Comté has been controlled by AOC regulations since it became one of the first cheeses to receive AOC recognition in 1958, with full regulations introduced in 1976. The AOC regulations for Comté stipulate that only milk from Montbéliarde or French Simmental cows (or crossbreeds of the two) is permitted, and there must be no more than 1.3 cows per hectare of pasture. Each cheese requires up to 600 litres (160 US gal) of milk. Rennet is added to cause the milk to coagulate (curdle). The curds are then cut into tiny grains the size of rice or wheat, stirred, and heated again for around 30 minutes. The contents are then placed into moulds and the whey is pressed out. After several hours, the mould is opened and left to mature in cellars, first for a few weeks at the dairy, and then over several months elsewhere.
In 2005, the French Government registered 175 producers and 188 affineurs (agers) in France. Comté cheeses go through a "jury terroir" process, where panels of trained volunteer tasters from the Comté supply chain and from the region discuss and publish bi-monthly in the newsletter Les Nouvelles de Comté about the taste and their results. This jury terroir was created by food scientist Florence Bérodier. Each cheese is awarded a score out of 20 by inspectors. Cheeses scoring from 12 to 14 points are given a brown label and are called simply Comté. Those scoring higher than 14 points are given a green casein label with the logo of a green bell and are called Comté Extra. Any cheese scoring only 1 or 2 points for taste (out of a possible 9), or scoring below 12 overall, is prohibited from using the Comté name and is sold for other purposes.
The French coming-of-age film Holy Cow (2024) is set in the Comté production region and follows a young man attempting to save his family's traditional business by producing the prestigious cheese.
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The UK
In the UK, Comte cheese can be purchased from several online retailers. The Fine Cheese Co. delivers Comte cheese to addresses on the GB mainland, while The Cheese Shop Nantwich also delivers to mainland UK addresses, as well as the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. The French Comte, meanwhile, supplies its Comte cheese to restaurants, hotels, delis, and specialist retailers in the UK.
Comte cheese can also be found at physical stores in the UK. The Cheese Shop, for example, has a partnership with Nick Birchall, who has worked directly with cheese producers for over 20 years. The Cheese Shop's staff are knowledgeable cheesemongers who can provide education on the art of maintaining cheese. To find your nearest Comte cheese stockist, you can use the postcode tracker on the Comte Cheese official UK website.
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The US
Comté cheese is made in the Jura Massif region of eastern France from unpasteurized cow's milk. It is a semi-hard cheese with a texture that ranges from supple and grainy for younger cheeses to firm and crystalline for more aged varieties. In the US, you can purchase Comté cheese from some speciality grocers, such as the store in Philadelphia that receives one wheel of 24-month-aged Comté each year. You can also buy it online from retailers such as Amazon and Marky's.
Amazon sells Comté by the pound, although one customer reported that their cheese arrived very salty. Marky's, meanwhile, claims to curate the best selection of Comté cheeses, allowing you to find the perfect one.
If you live in the Boston area, you may be able to find the 36-month Grand Cru version around Christmas time.
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Online
There are a variety of online options for purchasing Comté cheese. Marky's, for example, offers a curated selection of Comté cheeses online, allowing customers to find their perfect choice. Similarly, the Fairfield Cheese Company ships orders directly to customers' doors and offers online ordering seven days a week. The company also provides pickup options at their locations.
Artisanal Premium Cheese is another online retailer that offers Comté cheese, providing hand-cut cheeses with fromager notes and serving tags. Their website includes beverage pairing suggestions, such as Jura wines, Rieslings, and Muscats.
For those seeking a more extensive selection, websites like Reddit may provide insights into where to purchase Comté cheese online. User recommendations can be found in various subreddits dedicated to cheese enthusiasts, offering suggestions for online retailers or websites with delivery services.
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