Berry: Hidden Gems

Selles-sur-Cher AOP

- Type: Soft goat cheese - Milk: Raw goat's milk 🌿 - Aging: Minimum 10 days - Pronunciation: /sɛl syʁ ʃɛʁ/ (sell sewr SHEHR) - Characteristics: Ash-coated, truncated pyramid

Note: While technically Loire Valley, its production extends into Berry

Ash Tradition: The edible ash coating originally preserved the cheese and protected it from insects. Today's ash comes from controlled burning of grape vines, connecting cheese and wine traditions.

Shape Story: The truncated pyramid supposedly honors Napoleon, who lopped off the top after his Egyptian campaign failures. More likely, the flat top simply prevents rolling during transport.

Crottin de Chavignol AOP

- Type: Soft goat cheese - Milk: Raw goat's milk 🌿 - Aging: 10 days to several months - Pronunciation: /kʁɔ.tɛ̃ də ʃa.vi.ɲɔl/ (kroh-TAN duh shah-vee-NYOL)

Note: Primarily from Berry region

Aging Journey: Young Crottin is white and creamy; aged versions become hard and intense. This diversity allows producers to serve different markets from one product, improving economic sustainability.

Valençay AOP

- Type: Soft goat cheese - Milk: Raw goat's milk 🌿 - Aging: Minimum 11 days - Pronunciation: /va.lɑ̃.sɛ/ (vah-lahn-SEH) - Characteristics: Truncated pyramid, ash-dusted

Napoleon Legend: Another cheese supposedly modified after Napoleon's Egyptian disappointment—he allegedly cut the top off a pyramid-shaped cheese in anger. The truth is less dramatic but the story adds charm.

Modern Production: Young farmer Amara Traoré, whose family came from Burkina Faso, has introduced solar-powered cooling for aging caves, reducing costs while maintaining traditional quality.

Pouligny-Saint-Pierre AOP

- Type: Soft goat cheese - Milk: Raw goat's milk 🌿 - Aging: Minimum 11 days - Pronunciation: /pu.li.ɲi sɛ̃ pjɛʁ/ (poo-lee-nyee san pee-EHR) - Characteristics: Pyramid shape, "Eiffel Tower"

Distinctive Shape: The full pyramid shape (not truncated) earned it the nickname "Eiffel Tower of cheeses." Each cheese weighs exactly 250g, making portion control easy.

Women's Cooperative: The majority of Pouligny producers are women who formed a cooperative in the 1970s. They now mentor young women entering farming, providing technical and emotional support.