Product Reviews and Ratings - France

Buy the Cantal on http://www.igourmet.com

(based on 11 ratings)

Located in: Cheese, France

Cantal is one of the oldest French Cheeses, predating both Roquefort (11th Century) and Livarot (13th Century). In fact, Pliny the Elder mentions Cantal in his “Historia Naturalis” written in the 1st Century AD. Cantal was originally produced by putting the curd into “le formage”, a wooden cylinder, which is believed to be the origin for the French word for cheese. Named after the Cantal Mountains in Auvergne, this cheese has been dear to the French throughout history. For example, in medieval times it was the courtly custom to send a gift of cheese to impress or to people one admired. Cantal is made from raw cow's milk with the curd being heated before pressing. This AOC cheese has a smooth, grayish-brown rind with a smooth, pale yellow, close-textured interior. Cantal has a milky aroma, a nutty flavor with a hint of tangy butteriness, and a slightly acidic finish. Aged from three to nine months, it is prone to blue mold (fleur de bleu) which the French gladly eat, but can also be cut off if this is not your preference. Try Cantal in a French ploughman's platter, in soups or sauces, or to flavor muffins or gratins. But, ignore this description and take advice from a French poet: “To elaborate on Cantal is an error of taste; it is all simplicity”.

Made from unpasteurized cow's milk.
Photo depicts whole 20 lb. form of cheese.
We cut and wrap this item by the 1/2 pound.
Please contact us if you would like to purchase the whole form.

More information for the Cantal

Review Snapshot®

Avg. Customer Rating:

4.7 stars

(based on 11 reviews)

91% of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Customers most agreed on the following attributes:

Pros:

Firm(7), Flavorful(8), Rich(4), Smooth(3)

Best Uses:

After dinner(5), Hors d'oeuvre(5), Melted(3)

Describe Yourself:

Chef(3), Foodie(6), Frequent diner(3)

Délicieux!

By Claude LaCroûte

from Idaho Falls, Idaho on 5/13/2010

Gift:

Pros:

Firm, Flavorful, Nutty, Rich

Cons:

Bland

Best Uses:

After Dinner, Melted, Sandwiches

Describe Yourself:

Foodie

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Cantal:

"To elaborate on Cantal is an error of taste; it is all simplicity."
I agree. I had never tried this one before, but it easily compares to other hard cheeses from Auvergne or Savoy.
I love strong cheeses, so this one was a bit mild for me, but that is the way it is supposed to be.

I LOVE this cheese!

By JLLH

from Baton Rouge, LA on 7/28/2008

Pros:

Firm, Flavorful, Smooth

Cons:

Salty

Describe Yourself:

Simple Tastes

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Cantal:

I discovered this cheese while in France recently and it quickly became a favorite. I'm not a huge fan of soft cheese in general and I was glad to find this tasty, firmer cheese. Some have compared it to cheddar. While it doesn't really have the same flavor, I do consider this a fairly mild cheese and can somewhat understand the comparison. It is a bit salty, but not unduly. A definite re-order!

[0 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

Just OK

By Nina from Tulsa, OK on 5/24/2008

Pros:

Firm

Cons:

Overripe

Best Uses:

After Dinner

Describe Yourself:

Foodie

Bottom Line:

No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Comments about Cantal:

This cheese would be better if not so "mature".

Surprisingly wonderful !

By Janice from Grand Junction, Colorado on 5/19/2008

Pros:

Firm, Flavorful, Rich

Best Uses:

Hors d'oeuvre

Describe Yourself:

Chef, Foodie, Frequent Diner

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Cantal:

My husband and I both loved this cheese. We travel to France at least twice a year and like to try new cheeses, here and there....cantal is a new favorite.

I Loved this cheese!

By Beth

from Annapolis Md on 12/1/2007

Pros:

Flavorful, Rich

Best Uses:

Hors d'oeuvre, Melted, Salads, Sandwiches

Describe Yourself:

Foodie

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Cantal:

Great taste, all round great cheese.

My personal favorite

By Southern Woman from Little Rock,AR on 10/24/2007

Pros:

Firm, Flavorful, Rich, Smooth

Cons:

none

Best Uses:

After Dinner, Melted

Describe Yourself:

Health Conscious, Simple Tastes

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Cantal:

This cheese was my personal favorite of my order from [@]. It reminds me a bit of cheddar, but it is truly delicious. I used it in sauces and sliced it to top crackers.

Memories of bicycling in France

By B.J., une vrai [@]

from Highlands Ranch, CO on 10/18/2007

Pros:

Firm, Flavorful

Cons:

none

Best Uses:

Hors d'oeuvre

Describe Yourself:

Foodie

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Cantal:

First tasted while bicycling in Provence, accompanied by a bottle of wine, bread and fresh strawberries -- unforgettable. Sorry, but American cheddar cannot compare.

I would buy this product again and again

By jaccar

from St Croix, USVI on 10/11/2007

Pros:

Flavorful

Describe Yourself:

Chef, Foodie, Frequent Diner

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Cantal:

A cheese that has nothing to prove.
It has lasted for centuries.

I plan to buy a lot of this product

By Steve from Logan, Ohio on 8/27/2007

Pros:

Firm, Flavorful, Smooth

Best Uses:

After Dinner, Hors d'oeuvre, Snack, With crackers

Describe Yourself:

Curious, Frequent Diner, Health Conscious, Open to new things

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Cantal:

I was reading about cantal cheese some time ago and was curious about it. [...] My wife and I both love it.

As I remember it from France

By Frenchcottage from Providence, RI on 3/31/2007

Pros:

Good value

Cons:

none

Best Uses:

After Dinner, Hors d'oeuvre, Salads

Describe Yourself:

Chef

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Cantal:

A classic for a French cheese platter

Great cheese

By jjdjr from Columbia, SC on 2/24/2007

Pros:

Durable, Good Value, High Quality

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Cantal:

This was wonderful cheese that I have a hard time finding in my area. [...]

Customer Reviews about the Cantal at igourmet