Fromage de Herve PDO
Fromage de Herve PDO is a soft cheese made from cow’s milk and shaped into a small cube, with a beige body and a washed brick-coloured rind. It has a firm, elastic, and smooth texture, with a rich flavour.
Hailing only from the Pays de Herve in Belgium, it is one of Belgium’s oldest cheeses, and can be traced as far back as the 13th century. It originated at a time when the exportation of wheat in the region was forbidden by Charles Quint of France, so farmers resorted to converting their fields into pastures for dairy farming. As the cheese takes a long time to ripen, it was ideal for transport to faraway destinations.
Fromage de Herve PDO can simply be eaten on a slice of buttered bread or accompanied by a sweet chutney. It can also be used as an ingredient in creamy dishes, such as risottos and cheese sauces. The cheese pairs well with a glass of port, a full-bodied red wine, or a dark Belgian beer.
