Ossau Iraty is a semi-firm cheese made from unpasteurized sheep’s milk. Ivory in color, with a thick natural golden rind, it boasts rich flavors of toasted wheat, fresh grass and wildflowers with nutty undertones. It is refined for a minimum period of 5 months, but as the cheese ages, it will lose its creamy yield and become harder, developing calcium crystals that give a delightfully discreet crunch throughout the cheese.
Ossau Iraty obtained AOC in 1980. This means that traditional standards must always be met and strict agricultural guidelines followed. All production must take place exclusively on the farms and milk must come from the following local breeds of sheep: Manech Tête Noir, Tête Rousse and Basco-béarnaises.
This delectably complex cheese should always be brought up to room temperature before being served in order to experience its full flavor. It is capable of standing alone as part of a cheeseboard, especially with a scattering of walnuts and raspberries to challenge the different textures and flavor ranges. It pairs very nicely with a hoppy beer, or you can opt for a robust regional red like Madiran. As it matures, it becomes hard enough to grate and its light, sharp saltiness would contribute nicely to salads, pastas and risottos.
Raw ewe milk, salt, rennet, lactic ferments.
Usually ships within 1 business days.
Product is perishable and must ship via Overnight service.