Pont l'Évêque © French Moments

Last Updated: 4 March 2020

Pont l’Évêque is a cheese with a brushed yellow-orange to straw yellow rind.

Pont l’Évêque is a cow’s milk cheese with a soft pâte, a washed yellow-orange to straw yellow rind.
The fat content is at least 45%.


Origins of Pont l’Evêque

Pont l'Évêque © French Moments
Pont l’Évêque © French Moments

This cheese was already greatly appreciated in the Middle-Ages. Its name comes from the little town of Pont-l’Évêque, between Lisieux and Deauville, in Normandy.

It was at first called “angelon” in the 16th century, maybe to recall the precise origin of this cheese developed in the Pays d’Auge, in the Touques valley, particularly aboundant in rich pastures.

It has been known as Pont-l’Évêque since the 17th century.


The production of Pont l’Evêque

Pont l'Évêque cheese from Normandy © French Moments
Cheese from Normandy (Pont L’évêque) © French Moments

Its production area includes the five départements of Normandy and the département of Mayenne in the Pays-de-Loire region.

Pont-l’Évêque is made with cow’s milk with rennet added. The curd is cut and kneaded. In order to help speed up the draining process, the cheese is turned several times in its mould.

After removal from the mould, it is placed on racks to be turned again regularly before being salted with dry salt or brine.

Its affinage may take at least two weeks, with or without washing the rind.


Selection and tasting of Pont l’Evêque

Pont l'Évêque © French Moments
Pont l’Évêque © French Moments

Usually square in shape, it comes in different sizes and weights, from the Petit-Pont-l’Évêque of 85-95 mm to the Grand-Pont l’Évêque which can be up to 190-210 mm in length. Its usual size is a square with a side measuring 105-115 mm.

Pont-l’Évêque is usually a cheese served at the end of a meal.

It goes well with a Bordeaux or Burgundy red wine, but also with a cider from the Pays d’Auge.

Pont l’Évêque received the ‘appellation d’origine contrôlée’ label in 1972.

Pont L'Évêque © French Moments


 

Gems of Paris by French Moments

Like it? Leave a comment!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}

Transparency: Some blog posts and pages may contain affiliate or sponsored links. If you are planning a trip, the use of these links helps us to run the site. There is no additional cost to you. All you have to do is click on the link and any booking you make is automatically tracked. Thank you for your support!

Escape to France with every email! Get insider insights, travel guides, cultural gems delivered and exclusive offers to your inbox twice a week. Your journey to Paris and France begins when you sign up!

SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER AND GET THE FREE EBOOK

20 OFFBEAT PLACES IN PARIS

Ebook 20 amazing offbeat places in Paris front cover