French cheeses, trying to avoid the stinky ones?

Question

I'm living in eastern France this semester, and I'm really into trying new things. But when I just randomly buy new local cheeses at the marché, some of them, well...make me gag with the smell and I can't eat them, which is a huge waste. How can I try new cheeses and experience this vital part of France without accidently buying the ones that make me a little nauseous?

Answer 1

Try some brie smeared on a baguette - yum.  I hate stinky cheeses too.  Don't even like aged cheddar.  Brie en croute is good too - its brie wrapped in pastry or phyllo.  oh, yeah, you can eat the rind on the brie too.  I'm sure there are others but you'll have to ask.

Answer 2

I have spent a lot of time in France over the past years and I must say, the nausea IS part of the experience. You won't know what you really like unless you keep trying things. The really stinky ones will smell through the packaging. Ask people around you, or the people working in the markets there, they can definitely help you. I know it sounds odd, but if you can get past the smell and just eat them, some of the really stinky ones have great flavors. It sometimes helps if at first you plug your nose while you eat them, it tones it down some, and once you can stomach that, then unplug your nose and finish eating it. Sorry if this wasn't the help you were looking for.

Good Luck!  (One of my favorites is Camisard)

(try this: http://www.frencheese.co.uk/ )

Answer 3

I'm sure you've already thought of this, but smell them before you buy them!

I personally like stinky cheese....except Limburger, which my ex loved to death.  She was NOT allowed to eat it at our apartment!

If you don't mind blue cheese, Roquefort is one of my favorites.....although that is probably way too stinky for you.

Neufchâtel (different than the american version, which is just low-fat cream cheese) is pretty good, and not too stinky.

I've always wanted to try Mimolette.  It doesn't seem like it would be very stinky, but I don't know if you are in the right region to get it. (Its from the town of Lille)

Answer 4

check the papers and restaurants for "CHEESE TASTING", or however they say it france- fromage....?

don't forget the wine you lucky dog you!

i absolutly love cheese, but not all. there are too many to talk about, so definitely go to a tasting or get an expert to take you around town. it's worth it.

good luck

Answer 5

You want to eat French cheese, but don't want to eat ones that smell?

Go home, okay?  You are clearly not taking the whole idea of eating French cheese seriously.

In the meantime, realise that French cheese is more important than your pathetic dislike of its smell, and treat yourself to perhaps the ultimate in French cheeses - Epoisse.  It's kind of like a Brie or Camembert that has been washed with eau de vie and matured.  It smells bad, yes.  But it tastes absolutely incredible.

I'm sure there are cheeses out there that taste as bad as they smell, but have a go at Epoisse.  Eat it on the plainest crackers you can get, accompanied by a really good red wine.  It's like the ultimate cheese, cheese^2, if you get my meaning.  It is one of the most glorious things I have ever eaten.

Answer 6

ask for samples.  And start w/ brie and camembert.

Answer 7

my favorie ones are brie and camembert. Neither of them are stinky.