Product Reviews and Ratings - Switzerland - Tete de Moine from igourmet

Buy the Tete de Moine on http://www.igourmet.com

(based on 16 ratings)

Located in: Cheese, Switzerland

The literal translation of the French words "Tete de Moine" is "Monk Head". Although this fine Swiss product was first created by monks, it is now produced by the lay community. Tete de Moine, made in the Swiss Alps near the town of Bellelay from rich unpasteurized cows' milk, is a sharp cheese with a full, nutty flavor. Its intense flavor is even more pronounced when compared to other cheeses from Switzerland, like Gruyere and Emmental. A true specialty item, Tete de Moine deserves to be regarded as one of the world's great cheeses.

Made from raw cow's milk. Aged over 60 days.

More information for the Tete de Moine

Review Snapshot®

Avg. Customer Rating:

4.4 stars

(based on 16 reviews)

100% of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Customers most agreed on the following attributes:

Pros:

Firm(6), Flavorful(13), Nutty(3), Pungent(4), Rich(6)

Best Uses:

After dinner(8), Hors d'oeuvre(14)

Describe Yourself:

Foodie(7), Frequent diner(4), Health conscious(3), Simple tastes(3)

I would buy this again

By None from Martinez, California on 7/19/2010

Gift:

Pros:

Complex, Flavorful, Nutty

Best Uses:

After Dinner, Gifts, Hors d'oeuvre

Describe Yourself:

Foodie

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Tete de Moine:

We had this in Germany and loved it

Great Cheese! Huge Hit!

By Not exactly a cheese head! from Key West, FL on 3/28/2010

Gift:

Pros:

Flavorful, Nutty

Best Uses:

Hors d'oeuvre

Describe Yourself:

Foodie, Frequent Diner

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Tete de Moine:

Makes a beautiful flowerette appetizer when served off the Girolle and is a huge hit at every dinner party!

[0 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

too mature

By Marc

from Honolulu on 6/10/2009

Gift:

Yes

Pros:

Firm, Flavorful

Cons:

Overripe

Best Uses:

Hors d'oeuvre

Comments about Tete de Moine:

Tete de Moine is an excellent cheese.
However, the one I received was too old, and therefore too strong, over aged.

One of a kind!

By Swiss Expat from Littleton, Co on 4/20/2009

Gift:

Best Uses:

After Dinner, Hors d'oeuvre, Salads

Describe Yourself:

Foodie

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Tete de Moine:

Now in my 5th decade of enjoying "La Tête". It is a special cheese that only disapoints when there is no more to scrape on its "Girolle". Believe it or not, but it wasn't so popular until the early 80's when the Girolle was invented and made it much easier and fun to shave the top of the cheese wheel. Tête de Moine is great on any fresh "artisan" crispy bread, water cracker, Grissinis or with a good green salad. You can also serve it with small gherkins and onions(from Maille). This great cheese is produced in the Jura area of Switzerland (not the Alps) where so many unknown great cheeses come from.

Great cheese

By Jakob

from Boston, MA on 1/24/2009

Gift:

Best Uses:

Hors d'oeuvre

Describe Yourself:

Frequent Diner

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Tete de Moine:

This is an absolutely fabulous Swiss cheese!!! Get it with the Girolle, and you can make a great and wonderful impression on your guests. It curls up and makes a great presentation. And it tastes beautifully!

Customer Service

By Netsurfjon

from Tucson, AZ on 1/5/2009

Gift:

Pros:

Firm, Flavorful

Best Uses:

Hors d'oeuvre

Describe Yourself:

Frequent Diner, Health Conscious

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Tete de Moine:

[...]

Too dry at the 1/3 of the cheese !

By Georg

from Virginia Beach on 12/31/2008

Gift:

Pros:

Flavorful, Smooth

Cons:

Crumbles, Dry

Best Uses:

After Dinner, Breakfast, Sandwiches

Comments about Tete de Moine:

The quality of the cheese at the beginning is not good. The cheese is much too drz and zou really cannot use it with the Girolle. After cutting more than 1/3 from the top the quality is much more better.

Therefore I think it is a bit too expansive when zou need to get rid of 1/3 before enjozing the cheese.

[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

We just love this cheese.

By The Hubers from Hoffman Estates, IL on 7/23/2008

Pros:

Flavorful, Nutty, Smooth

Best Uses:

Hors d'oeuvre

Describe Yourself:

Health Conscious

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Tete de Moine:

We use that cheese for our annual party and everyone is delighted and are looking forward to tasting it, with the chirolle it is superb. Everyone want to have a turn to chafe the cheese and get the beautiful flower. What a superb delight.

Not Shy

By tomsaaristo

from chicago, il on 1/11/2008

Pros:

Delicate, Flavorful, Pungent

Cons:

Aggressive

Best Uses:

Hors d'oeuvre

Describe Yourself:

Foodie

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Tete de Moine:

Tete de Moine is not for everyone, to be sure. The flavors and even the smell can be off-putting to some, but if you love a highly flavored stinky cheese, this could be your pinnacle. A girole is not necessary, but if you think you need mad skills to use one, wait until you try to create the same required florettes with a knife (the delicate ruffles created by the girole portion exactly the correct amount for any sane person). Invest in a girole and teach your guests to use it. The cheese and the "toy" can be a real showstopper.

[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

Holiday Home Run Hit

By oreddie

from Bend, OR on 1/1/2008

Pros:

Pungent, Rich

Best Uses:

Hors d'oeuvre

Describe Yourself:

Simple Tastes

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Tete de Moine:

We were disparing over ever finding this cheese anywhere short of Switzerland until we discovered igourmet. [...] The cheese, served from our Girolle, was a tremendous hit at holiday parties and the 'flower-ettes' made for a lovely and tasty presentation on the hors d'oeuvre plates

Delicate cheese, charming presentation

By mater3d

from San Diego, CA on 12/31/2007

Pros:

Delicate, Flavorful, Pretty, Showy, Unusual

Best Uses:

After Dinner, Hors d'oeuvre

Describe Yourself:

Chef, Foodie

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Tete de Moine:

Marvelous in a cheese presentation. It is served with a girolle resulting in a frilly delicate morsel. Yummy with champagne, tete de moine is a show stopper.

A Swiss cheese with a personality!

By Fred the Swiss

from Baton Rouge, LA on 12/26/2007

Pros:

Firm, Flavorful, Rich, Smooth, Will bite back at you

Best Uses:

After Dinner, Hors d'oeuvre, Meal with redwhite wine

Describe Yourself:

Cheese Lover

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Tete de Moine:

Best if prepared with the "Girolle" - allows you to make nice "florets". These florets enable the cheese to deliver its maximal flavor. Eating a Tete de Moine is quite an experience, one that you wish you can relive many, many more times. And it's never boring!

Tete de Moine cheese is Fabulous!!!

By Carole

from Doylestown, PA on 10/8/2007

Pros:

Firm, Flavorful, Pungent, Rich, Smooth

Best Uses:

After Dinner, Hors d'oeuvre

Describe Yourself:

Frequent Diner

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Tete de Moine:

This cheese is so delicious, and a fun way to dress up any dish with the gorgeous rose shaped cheese bites that are made with the unique cheese girolle. Its absolutely fabulous!!

One of the Best, if not the Best!

By German Tete de Moine addict

from Seattle, WA on 7/15/2007

Pros:

Firm, Flavorful, Pungent, Rich

Best Uses:

After Dinner, Hors d'oeuvre

Describe Yourself:

Foodie

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Tete de Moine:

This cheese is so good, it is truly addicting. Whenever I buy one, I have to force myself from eating the whole cheese in one sitting. The flavor is so pungent, one's tastebuds actually swell up. Don't be afraid to eat the rind with it, once you cut yourself a cheese flower. This cheese is especially tasty when used with the Girolle, the cutting board with the revolving knife. Highly recommended!

[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

Good cheese!

By Joe

from Central Wisconsin on 6/18/2007

Pros:

Flavorful, Intense, Rich

Best Uses:

Hors d'oeuvre

Describe Yourself:

Simple Tastes

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Tete de Moine:

This cheese is great when using the spiral cutter. It does take some skill to get the cutter to work well. I would not leave the cutter on the table for guests to cut their own cheese. It will tun into a mess.

[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

Is this cheese---or is it ambrosia?

By Lee the francophile

from Iowa City, Iowa on 3/23/2007

Pros:

Firm, Flavorful, Rich, Smooth

Best Uses:

After Dinner, Hor d'oeuvre

Describe Yourself:

Foodie, Health Conscious, Simple Tastes

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Tete de Moine:

I love this cheese---it is one of the best cheeses I have ever eaten. I would say that I like simple foods with lots of flavor, and this cheese is just that---lots and lots of flavor. Unlike a plethora of foods nowadays that start out as a simple thing and then get ruined by adding 5 or 6 other flavors that, to my way of thinking, mask the inherent taste of the original product, this cheese has a delicious flavor all of its own. And the texture is perfect for those who enjoy a firmer cheese, the rind being my favorite part of the cheese. I don't know what else to say, other than you must try this magnificent cheese. I discovered it locally, quite by accident, at our health food store. Since the moment I tasted it I have been addicted to it---I even dream about this cheese. I am so glad I discovered it---and you will be too. Bon appetit!

Customer Reviews about the Tete de Moine at igourmet