Frequently asked questions

What does A.O.C. mean?

"Appellation d'origine controllée". This classification is an EU classification. A cheese can obtain the AOC label, only when it fulfills well defined criteria with regards to origin and production technology.

What causes the holes in Emmental?

The holes are a result of the type of starter used in the making of Emmental (the starter is bacteria added at the beginning to prepare the milk for the rennet, which curdles the cheese). There are many types of starter cultures. The one used in the making of emmental is a propionic starter. This collects in the whey-filled cavities and with the warmth of the maturing room produces carbon dioxide which expands as holes. The size of the holes depend on three factors; temperature, acidity of the cheese and curing time.

Q. What is the orange colour in some cheeses such as Cheddar or Mimolette?

Q. What causes milk to curdle, anyway?