Tête de Moine AOP – “Fleurolle”-Box

Eight centuries ago, in the Swiss Jura Mountains, monks of Bellelay Abbey had a sense of humor. Fashioning small cylindrical ”monk’s head” cheeses, they invented a tool, called a “girolle”, to thinly shave away layers from the top, exposing a bald spot. Made of raw cow’s milk, this semi-hard cheese has a dense texture and a seriously intense, fruity flavor. One of the stronger, sweeter Swiss cheeses you will experience, it pairs nicely with fresh or dried fruits or hearty dessert wines of equal intensity.
It is currently produced by fewer than 10 cheese dairies of the Swiss Jura Mountains.

As said, traditionally, the cheese is prepared for eating in an unusual way: the cheese is carefully scraped with a “girolle” to produce thin shavings (“Cheese-Flowers” or “Fleurolles”), which is said to help develop the odour and flavour by allowing oxygen to reach more of the surface.

To assure you can enjoy this specialty in the traditional way, we at Alphütte sell the “monk’s head” together with a “girolle”. Enjoy to make your very own beautiful and delicious “Cheese-Flowers”!