TIP OF THE DAY: Heart-Shaped Cheese
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This is the week to check the best cheese counter in town for heart-shaped cheese (or make your own—see the surprise below). The most famous cheese heart is Coeur du Berry goat cheese; but if you’re a cheddar fan, you may be able to find a cheddar heart covered in red wax, from Godminster Farm in the U.K. Coeur du Berry has a full Valentine heritage. It is produced near the village of Saint-Valentin in the Loire Valley, in the center of France. Is there a connection between Saint-Valentin and St. Valentine’s day? Yes, in that they are both named for a third-century priest (here’s the story). In the 1980s, the mayor put on his marketing hat and began to promote the town (population 280) as “The Village of Love” [source]. He encouraged the villagers to decorate their houses in red hearts, and created a Lovers’ Garden (Jardin des Amoureux) where you can: And, all the heart-shaped cheese and souvenirs you can buy. If you’d like to attend, here’s more information. Coeur du Berry is a rich, mellow goats-milk cheese, made from pasteurized milk. It’s made by Fromagerie Jacquin & Fils, a cheesemaker that has been making goat cheeses for more than 60 years. Coeur du Berry is essentially the same cheese as Selles-sur-Cher, which is also made by the dairy. The creamy white heart, dusted with ash, is melt-in-your-mouth smooth, with slight hints of hazelnut from the terroir—there are no nuts in the cheese. Serve the heart for a cheese course before dessert, or dessert itself, with: |
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