Salers cheese, but also a village and a cow!
Salers cheese is one of the oldest cheeses from Auvergne!
Produced in the village of Salers, located about 150 kilometres southwest of Clermont-Ferrand, this uncooked pressed cheese (fromage à pâte pressée non cuite) is made exclusively from raw milk from Salers cows. Milk collection takes place between April 15th and November 15th, when the cows are grazing in the alpine meadows.
Ernest Tyssandier d’Escous, a local farmer, created the Salers breed through strict selection in the 19th century. Initially raised for its meat, the breed quickly adapted to the demanding climate of continental Auvergne. It is also renowned for its remarkable fertility and exceptional milk production; A single cow can indeed produce up to 6,000 litres of milk per year!
Henri II de Sénectère, Count of Auvergne, introduced Salers, Cantal and St-Nectaire cheeses to the court of King Louis XIV in the 17th century, thus contributing to their reputation.
Production
It takes 400 litres of milk, three days of preparation and three months of ageing to produce a 40-kg wheel of Salers cheese!
After each milking, the milk is immediately poured into a vat, then inoculated with rennet to trigger coagulation. Then begins a meticulous manual process: the curd is cut into small blocks and pressed gradually. The cheese is ground, salted and pressed for 3 hours to remove excess whey.
It is then placed in a basket locally called a “tresse,” lined with thin linen, and pressed again gradually for 48 hours. This final stage gives Salers its characteristic shape.
Finally, the ripening process lasts at least 3 months. Fourme (a term exclusive to cheeses from Auvergne) is matured in a cool and humid cellar.
It is regularly turned over to encourage the development of its thick, rich yellow rind, subtle aroma, and full-bodied flavour.
Salers cheese obtained the Protected Designation of Origin in 1961. This designation was amended in 1979, 1986 and 2000 to limit production to the areas of Cantal, Cézallier and Monts Dore and Chaine des Puys.
Finally, let’s not forget that Salers is located at an altitude of 950 metres, in the heart of the magnificent Regional Natural Park of the Volcanoes of Auvergne, and is also recognised as one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France (most beautiful villages).
Department of Cantal
Coordinates: Lat 45.137854 – Long 2.493809
Credits: Photo Labels and source article Jean Piludu – Translated and edited by and for Travel France Online – Wikimedia Commons: Header by B.navez CC BY-SA 3.0
