Kosher Cheese from France



Le Brouère
Producer: Ermitage 
Kosher certification: Rabbi S.A. Schlesinger of Strasbourg
Cholov Yisroel: Yes
Passover: Yes
Milk: Cow
Coagulation: 
Vegetarian:
Pasteurization:  
Website: http://www.ermitage.com
Availability: Pomegranate

Le Brouère is a French cheese similar to its Swiss cousin Le Gruyère. This mellow, nutty cow's milk cheese is made in the Vosges département located within the region of Lorraine in northeastern France, near Switzerland and Germany. Le Brouère is produced under Ermitage, renowned French kosher cheese manufacturer.

It is cholov yisroel and, although most likely overseen by Rabbi S. A. Schlesinger of Strasbourg, the wheels are cut and re-packed at Pomegranate under Kehilah Kashrus certification.

 

Le Camembert, Coeur de Lion
Producer: Distributed by A. Seyman Ltd. (via La Compagnie des Fromages, France) 
Kosher certification: Chief Rabbinate of Israel
Cholov Yisroel: Yes
Passover: No
Milk: Cow
Coagulation: 
Vegetarian:
Pasteurization: Yes
Website: http://www.seyman.com
Availability: Likely in U.S. by early 2011

Camembert is one of France's most famous cheeses. Hailing from the verdant Normandie region of northwestern France, this cheese has become a worldwide favorite. Like Brie, it is soft-ripened, meaning that its rind is treated with a mold strain called Penicilium candidum. This edible mold causes the cheese to ripen from the outside in, leaving the interior soft and creamy. Camembert is unctuous and aromatic, with an intensity that grows with age. The producers at Coeur de Lion suggest serving this cheese at room temperature with a crusty baguette and a red wine, preferably an Anjou. 

One of Seyman's many strengths is bringing kosher versions of well known European name brands to Israel and beyond. 

 

 

Camembert, Le Makabi

Producer:
Distributed by Cash Service, Gargues les Gonesse, France 

Kosher certification: Not sure, see Hebrew below.
Cholov Yisroel: Yes
Passover: Yes, "cacher lepessah"
Milk: Cow
Coagulation: Lactic ferments/kosher rennet and bacterial culture (ferments lactiques, présure casher, listed as two separate ingredients)
Vegetarian: Maybe, maybe not
Pasteurization: Yes
Website:
Availability: Specialty and kosher stores
Made in Normandy in northwestern France, this traditional cheese accentuates any cheese board. It is a double cream, soft cheese with 45% fat in dry matter -- similar to the fat content of most other soft-ripened cheeses. Its downy white rind conceals a "pâte" (interior) that is smooth and creamy, especially at room temperature. 

Cash Service
1 bis Avenue des Morillons
95140 Garges les Gonesse France
(33) 1 34 53 63 66

 

Camembert Saintois
Producer: Ravet 
Kosher certification: Rabbi S.A. Schlesinger of Strasbourg
Cholov Yisroel: Yes
Passover: Yes
Milk: Cow
Coagulation: 
Vegetarian:
Pasteurization:  
Website:  
Availability: Pomegranate

 

Emmenthal
Producer: Ermitage 
Kosher certification: Rabbi S.A. Schlesinger of Strasbourg
Cholov Yisroel: Yes
Passover: Yes
Milk: Cow
Coagulation: 
Vegetarian:
Pasteurization:  
Website: http://www.ermitage.com
Availability: Pomegranate
Notes: Aged over six months, so this is a six-hour cheese. 

 

Ermitage Cheeses
Producer: Ermitage 
Kosher certification: Rabbi S.A. Schlesinger of Strasbourg
Cholov Yisroel: Yes
Passover: Yes
Milk: Cow
Coagulation: Vegetarian
Vegetarian: Yes
Pasteurization: Yes, and some thermization 
Website: http://www.ermitage.com
Availability: Specialty stores and online
Notes: Ermitage's website shows the non-kosher cheeses, many of which are available kosher. For a more accurate listing of what is available kosher in the U.S., see my page: www.kcheese.com/Ermitage.htm.  


 

Etorki
Producer: Distributed by A. Seyman Ltd. 
Kosher certification: Chief Rabbinate of Israel
Cholov Yisroel: Yes
Passover:
Milk: Sheep
Coagulation:
Vegetarian:
Pasteurization: Yes
Website: http://www.seyman.com
Availability: Likely in U.S. by early 2011

Etorki is a Basque sheep's milk cheese from the southwestern area of France. Its bright white interior contrasts nicely with the golden brown rind. Sheep's milk cheeses are typical of the areas surrounding the Pyrénées mountains where the sheep grow extra wooly. Etorki is mild, but with a distinct flavor of sweet and savory sheep's milk. Semi-firm Etorki has a creaminess that is accentuated with notes of caramel. According to tradition of the Basque shepherds, Etorki should be served with black cherry jam on top. It also pairs well with olives.

 

Fol Epi

Producer:
Distributed by A. Seyman Ltd.  

Kosher certification: Chief Rabbinate of Israel
Cholov Yisroel: Yes
Passover: No, it is coated in chometz!
Milk: Cow
Coagulation:
Vegetarian:
Pasteurization: Yes
Website: http://www.seyman.com
Availability: Likely in U.S. by early 2011
Fol Epi, or "wild wheat," is a unique Emmenthal-type cheese from France's Loire Valley. It is first recognizable for the wheat stalks in bas relief on the rind and its warm brown color created by coating the cheese in toasted wheat flour. It is semi-soft on the inside with scattered "eyes." The cheese itself is mild and sweet with a hint of nuttiness from the real wheat. Fol Epi is a beloved  and beautiful cheese, now available kosher. It also pairs well with fruits, jams, and light-bodied wines, red or white. 

 

Le Lingot d'Or
Producer: Ermitage 
Kosher certification: Rabbi S.A. Schlesinger of Strasbourg
Cholov Yisroel: Yes
Passover: Yes
Milk: Cow
Coagulation: 
Vegetarian:
Pasteurization:  
Website: http://www.ermitage.com
Availability: Pomegranate

A classic French style, full of heady aromas.

 

Lomont
Producer: Ermitage 
Kosher certification: Rabbi S.A. Schlesinger of Strasbourg
Cholov Yisroel: Yes
Passover: Yes
Milk: Cow
Coagulation: 
Vegetarian:
Pasteurization:  
Website: http://www.ermitage.com
Availability: Pomegranate

A mountain cheese at home on a cheese board or in a fondue. 

 

Le Maubert
Producer: Ermitage 
Kosher certification: Rabbi S.A. Schlesinger of Strasbourg
Cholov Yisroel: Yes
Passover: Yes
Milk: Cow
Coagulation: 
Vegetarian:
Pasteurization:  
Website: http://www.ermitage.com
Availability: Pomegranate

 

Raclette
Producer: Ermitage 
Kosher certification: Rabbi S.A. Schlesinger of Strasbourg
Cholov Yisroel: Yes
Passover: Yes
Milk: Cow
Coagulation: 
Vegetarian:
Pasteurization:  
Website: http://www.ermitage.com
Availability: Pomegranate

 

Roquefort, Cosse Noir de Gabriel Coulet
Producer: Gabriel Coulet
Kosher certification: Not sure, can't enlarge Hebrew, but it looks like Moshe Alloun who also certified St. Albray
Cholov Yisroel: Yes
Passover: Yes
Milk: Sheep
Coagulation: Possibly made with non-vegetarian rennet 
Vegetarian: Maybe, maybe not
Pasteurization:  
Website: www.gabriel-coulet.fr
Kosher only available in small flat pack.

Availability: Specialty and kosher stores and online


Pictured to the left, the label. Click HERE for an image from markys.com of the packaged cheese with hechsher sticker. 

Roquefort is one of the world's best known blues. This Roquefort comes in both non-kosher and kosher, the latter of which is labeled with a sticker of kashrus information on the front. The cheese is sliced into a wedge and sealed inside of a firm plastic package similar in shape to the cheese itself. Thus, it is protected and ready to pop out onto a party platter. Its blue veining comes from treatment with the Penicillium roqueforti strain of mold which occurs naturally in the caves in southern France. The veined areas resemble deep caverns of deep blue-green caves. This cheese is assertive, but well-balanced. It may also be sprinkled over salads, but for such a high quality cheese, it is best enjoyed on its own with a baguette.

 

Royal
Producer: Ermitage 
Kosher certification: Rabbi S.A. Schlesinger of Strasbourg
Cholov Yisroel: Yes
Passover: Yes
Milk: Cow
Coagulation: 
Vegetarian:
Pasteurization:  
Website: http://www.ermitage.com
Availability: Pomegranate

 


Saint Albray

Producer:
Distributed by A. Seyman Ltd.  

Kosher certification: Chief Rabbinate of Israel, "Production Spéciale avec ingrédients kascher"
Cholov Yisroel: Yes
Passover: Yes
Milk: Cow
Coagulation: Label doesn't say, no mention of coagulant in French
Vegetarian: Can't tell
Pasteurization: Yes
Website: http://www.seyman.com
Availability: Likely in U.S. by early 2011

Saint Albray is known for its red "croûte" (rind), its creamy texture, and its earthy aromas. It comes in a faux chipwood box crafted into the shape of a flower which mimics the cheese's own form. Saint Albray comes from Jurançon in the area of the Jura mountains in eastern France. (Fromagerie de Chaumes) Saint Albray has a texture that is more cohesive than that of Brie and Camembert, but is nonetheless smooth and creamy. It tends to keep its shape well so that it can even be sliced into "petals." 

The red rind comes from a treatment of B. Linens bacteria which gives the cheese its unique color as well as a sometimes assertive aroma. When young, this aroma is faint and the cheese tastes fairly mild, yet a bit meaty and full of rich milk flavors. When aged, the smell becomes assertive, but the taste is always pleasant on the palate with a hint of spice.  

Saint Albray is best served at room temperature with a Gewurztraminer, an ale, or even an apple or pear cider.

 

Soignon Goat Cheeses
Producer: Soignon 
Kosher certification: Rabbi Shlesinger of Geneva
Cholov Yisroel: Yes
Passover: Yes
Milk: Goat
Coagulation: 
Vegetarian:
Pasteurization:  
Website: http://www.kosheritalia.com
Availability: As of April 1, 2011, only available online.

 Soignon Chèvre Nature

Soignon Chèvre à Tartiner Spreadable Goat Cheese

Soignon Tomme de Chèvre

 

 


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