Valençay

Valençay is an ash-coated goat’s cheese made with raw goat’s milk, originally from the town of the same name.
With a registered designation of origin (AOC) since 1998, it has also enjoyed a protected designation of origin (AOP) since 2004. This cheese has a characteristic truncated pyramid shape.
Legend has it that Napoléon was on his way back from Egypt and passing through Talleyrand’s Valençay castle when he cut the top off this pyramid shape cheese with his sword. It now has a truncated pyramid shape in his honor.

The thin natural rind of this cheese is gray and felted, with hints of white and blue to green. The paste is bright white, smooth, dense and homogenous. It can have a creamy edge next to the rind.

It has a nice earthy, fresh hay aroma; it is firm yet melts in the mouth to offer a fresh lactic flavor and a light goaty, hazelnut taste.