Named after the famous Parisian music hall depicting fun and frivolity, La Fromagerie des Folies Bergères cheeses are a far cry from foolish. Launched last year in Ottawa, these lovely cheeses, from Sainte-Sixte, Québec, continue to be a smash hit in Ottawa. Lots of love, passion and farmstead milk from the over 150 sheep they raise creates a wide variety of yummy ewe’s milk cheeses. Maggie Paradis and Christian Girard proudly state that they, “are in the business of selling pleasure, not cheese”. Their light-hearted approach to cheesemaking – and life – is evident right down to the cancan dancing sheep with colourful tutus, adorning their product label.
After April 1st, we leave behind foolery and choose delicious fun. This week’s feature stars Le Jupon Frivole, a soft, surface-ripened pasteurized sheep’s milk cheese. The small, delicate wheel has a thick, white bloomy rind, with a pale ivory paste that is fluffy and slightly crumbly when young, becoming rich and creamy with age. Earthy, mushroomy aromas are mixed with slightly yeasty, salty flavor. Enjoy with a full-bodied red wine.
FACTBOX:
Cheese: Le Jupon Frivole
Producer: Fromagerie Les Folies Bergères, Sainte-Sixte, QC
Where To Buy: 42 Crichton Street Fine Foods (New Edinburgh), Il Negozio Nicastro’s (Bank St. between Third & Fourth Ave), The Piggy Market (Westboro), Aubrey’s Meats (Byward Market)
Interesting Fact: As The Folies Bergère was the first music hall to open in Paris, Fromagerie Les Folies Bergères were the first producers of sheep’s milk cheese in the Outaouais region.
Enjoy! – Vanessa