Farmhouse. Farmstead. Fermier. I’m sure you’ve heard all those term used in relation to cheese before. But do you know what they mean? Read on to find out what farmhouse cheese is, and why it is so important.
SEE ALSO: Why raw milk is the best milk to use in cheesemaking →
What does farmhouse mean?
As you’ve probably guessed, Fermier is a French word and means “farmer”. Farmhouse and Farmstead are English terms that are used interchangeably to mean the same thing as Fermier.
In simple terms, they all refer to cheeses that are made on a dairy farm. Using milk that is collected from the farm itself.
What’s so special about farmhouse cheese?
As a result, farmhouse cheeses will often have qualities that are unique to the farm where they are made. This happens because of the following reasons.
The local terroir
Firstly, the milk is an unaltered expression of the local terroir. This is doubly so when raw milk is used. Moreover, the cheese is also made and matured in that same terroir.
While the qualities in the soil will have the most significant impact on the milk, the climate and air will round up the qualities in the cheese during maturation.
Small batch production
Other than the terroir consideration, farmhouse cheeses are typically made in very small batches. Due to this, the cheesemaker and/or affineur is able to give more care and attention to each individual cheese.
The sustainable choice
Furthermore, the milk travels the shortest possible distance from farm to cheesery. This has a significant positive impact on the carbon footprint of the entire operation. And, also ensures that freshness of the milk at the start of cheesemaking.
Highest level of control
One final consideration is the level of control the cheesemaker has on the quality of their milk. Because of this, farmhouse cheeses are most suited to being made using raw milk.
The cheesemaker is the farmer. Therefore, they are able to ensure that all health authorities requirements are met (or even exceeded) to make a raw milk cheese that is deemed safe to eat.
What are your favourite farmhouse cheeses? Drop me a comment below.
Jonah is a a hipster, eco-warrior and slow food afficionado. Coming from a scientific background, Jonah has a particular interest in cheese science. And yes, he loves a good cheese pun!