A French Cheesemaker Re-evaluates Camembert

An article in the NY Times describes a re-evaluation of Camembert, including the use of pasteurized milk (which contradicts the AOC standard for Camembert labeled cheeses). Hervé Mons now sells a Camembert style of cheese made in France that adds less culture, drains the curds more, and ages/ships the wrapped cheeses at low temperatures to draw out the time before it starts to get soft. M. Mons was interviewed at Slow Food’s bi-annual cheese festival by food science expert and occasional NY Times food columnist Harold McGee. Mons described his ‘new’ method for making Camembert, which sounds quite a bit like efforts being pioneered here in the US at Oregon State University.

Rennet Workshop Planned

The Maine Cheese Guild will be sponsoring a one-day workshop on cheese Rennet to be held at Little Falls Farm in Harrison, Maine on Monday, April 19th from 9am to 5pm.

At the beginning there will be a short lecture on the nature of rennet — how it works, why it is used in cheesemaking, and the different ways it can affect finished cheeses. This will include a report written by Oregon cheesemaker David Peterson on his experiences using plant derived renneting materials to make traditional cheeses.

After lunch John and Mary Belding of Little Falls Farm will demonstrate step-by-step the methods for harvesting a goat-kid vel, preserving it, and then using it in cheese production.

Fees will be $125 for the general public, $100 for Maine Cheese Guild members (lunch included). For more information email info@mainecheeseguild.com/MCG-build. To reserve a spot (there will be a limited class size) send a check to

The Maine Cheese Guild
c/o Mark Whitney, Treasurer
Pineland Farms
32 Farm View Drive
New Gloucester, Maine 04260