French+Cheeses+(Overview)

=French Cheeses (Overview)= =Rouen= France is known for its cheese, with over 400 distinct types found throughout the country. Cheeses have been created throughout the country’s history, by many across France. Many French cheeses and variations are sold and enjoyed by many in the US today. Established cheeses in France are protected by a Protected Designation of Origin, under the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union. 56 cheeses are classified, protected, and regulated under the French law. There are many different types of cheeses, divided into several different groups based on what they are made from of how they are made. The first categories are divided by how they are made, which includes pressed (hard), soft or blue cheeses. Pressed cheese can be cooked using heat or uncooked, which would last longer. Some examples of pressed cheese is Comté, Emmental, and Cantal. There is also soft cheese which is manufactured in small units. Some examples are Brie--which is known as the “King of Cheese” in France--Munster, Camembert, and Epoisses. Lastly there are many different types of blue cheese. Cheeses are also divided by the type of milk used: cow, goat, or sheep. Another way that French cheeses are sorted is by where they are made and how. There are four categories: fermier, artisanal, cooperative, and industriel. Fermier cheese is farmhouse cheese, produced at the farm which the milk was produced. Artisanal cheese is produced by cheese producers in small quantities using milk from their own farm or local farms. Cooperative cheese is made with a dairy from local milk producers that have joined to produce cheese. In larger coopératives  quantities of cheese produced may be relatively large (some classified as factory-made). Industriel cheese is factory-made cheese from local milk or milk from the region. These cheeses are found all throughout France. Different cheese are found at different stores based on their quality and price. Average quality, cheaper cheeses can be found at supermarkets, while more expensive great quality cheeses can be bought at cheese specialist or gourmet stores. At markets, high and low quality cheese can be found, easily determined by their price. Cheese can also be bought directly from producers with varying price and quality, though at a reasonable price.