Banon à la Feuille Cheese

Filed in archive Gourmet Goodies on May 13, 2008

Banon à la Feuille, one of the most delicious cheeses I've ever tasted, is being celebrated at la Fête du fromage à Banon this weekend in Provence.


© jurvetson


Banon is a goat's milk cheese that is wrapped in chestnut leaves, dipped in marc de Provence or eau de vie, tied up with raffia and left to mature for a few weeks. It can be eaten young, while the leaves are still green and the cheese is crumbly and tart, or aged, when the leaves have turned brown, causing the crust to darken a bit. The flavor of an aged Banon à la Feuille has fruity and woodsy flavors with hints of the alcohol, which tickle your tongue. Truly delicious!

This cheese has been produced near the village of Banon since the Roman times and it was granted AOC status in 2003.
Pour yourself a glass of Chenin Blanc or a big red from Bordeaux to enjoy when tasting Banon.

To order Banon, try igourmet.com or fromages.com.