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Smell earthy

Camembert

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Stink Level: 6/10

Soft-ripened cow's milk cheese with bloomy rind. It gives off a scent described as earthy, mushroomy, vegetal, ammonia, with a taste that’s buttery, nutty, creamy, mild tang, and a texture that's white rind, creamy inside, soft, runny when ripe. It’s often enjoyed baked whole, served with apples or nuts, paired with cider or champagne.

Other names: Camembert de Normandie

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Best enjoyed...

  • Baked whole.
  • Served with apples or nuts.
  • Paired with cider or Champagne.

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Petit Fiancé des Pyrénées

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Stink Level: 7/10

Soft cow's milk cheese from the Pyrenees. It gives off a scent described as earthy, milky, mushroomy, tangy, with a taste that’s mildly sweet, creamy, grassy, nutty, and a texture that's wrinkled rind, soft interior, ivory paste. It’s often enjoyed served with dried fruits, crusty bread, paired with white bordeaux.

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To the eye (and touch)
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Best enjoyed...

  • Served with dried fruits.
  • Served with rusty bread.
  • Paired with white Bordeaux.

Heard of it, seen it, avoided it? Tell us why—or why not—in a comment.

Pavin

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Stink Level: 6/10

Semi-soft cow's milk cheese from Auvergne. It gives off a scent described as mildly pungent, earthy, lactic, with a taste that’s buttery, mild, mushroomy, tangy, and a texture that's pale yellow paste, thin natural rind, semi-soft. It’s often enjoyed melted in gratins, with potatoes or charcuterie, paired with côtes d'auvergne red.

Other names: Tomme du Pavin

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On the tongue
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To the eye (and touch)
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Best enjoyed...

  • Melted in gratins.
  • With potatoes or charcuterie.
  • Paired with Côtes d'Auvergne red.

What’s the word on this cheese in your circle? Leave a comment and let us know.

Pont-l’Évêque

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Stink Level: 7/10

Soft washed-rind cow's milk cheese in square form. It gives off a scent described as earthy, nutty, grassy, mild funk, with a taste that’s mildly salty, creamy, grassy, nutty, and a texture that's orange-beige rind, soft and springy texture. It’s often enjoyed served with pear or honey, on warm toast, paired with cider.

Other names: Pont-l'évêque cheese

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On the tongue
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To the eye (and touch)
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Best enjoyed...

  • Served with pear or honey.
  • On warm toast.
  • Paired with cider.

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Tomme des Pyrénées

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Stink Level: 5/10

Pressed cow’s milk cheese with natural or waxed rind. It gives off a scent described as mild, nutty, earthy, cellar, with a taste that’s buttery, nutty, mild, slightly sweet, and a texture that's black or brown rind, semi-firm yellow paste. It’s often enjoyed served with nuts and ham, grated in casseroles, paired with madiran.

Other names: Tomme de chèvre de l'Île de Ré

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On the tongue
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To the eye (and touch)
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Best enjoyed...

  • Served with nuts and ham.
  • Grated in casseroles.
  • Paired with Madiran.

Think it deserves a second chance? Share your opinion in a comment.