Cantal Cheese Is Worth The Wait

Jul 01 2025

Like a fine wine, the key to getting the most out of cheese is knowing when to consume it. And by that we don’t mean the time of day. We have yet to find any point of the 24-hour cycle that doesn’t suit a quick slice of cheese. No, we mean at what point of the aging process. The biological make-up of every type of cheese is different and therefore each one will behave differently as it ages. The taste, texture and aroma can change and will appeal to different palates at different stages. There are no strict rules around this and every cheese lover will have their own preferences, and the cheese that perhaps displays this robust aging characteristic the best is Cantal.
Cantal is a firm and supple cow’s milk cheese made in the Auvergne region of central France. In a cheese-making country that is famous for its history and tradition, Cantal is actually one of the oldest cheeses in France. But age is more of a factor in how it is enjoyed when eaten.

How does age affect the taste and smell of Cantal cheese?

A unique process of milling and double ripening the curd is responsible for how the cheese changes as it ages. A typical ripening period can be between three to nine months, but when you actually have it on the table, the characteristics can change quite significantly. An exceptional aroma develops over time to become richer and more intense, and so too does the taste. If you like your cheese to be balanced and more buttery, you will want to devour your Cantal straight away. The initial taste is fruity and sweet, and then the flavour will intensify. After a couple of days you might notice the taste becomes tangy and nutty, which appeals to more people and provides a much richer tasting cheese.

Cantal has been compared to English cheddar, perhaps due to its versatility as a bit of an all-rounder. Indeed, Cantal can be used on a simple cheeseboard, but also in soups, salads, fondues and gratins. But Cantal certainly has its own characteristics, and this developing smell and taste is perhaps what makes it unique. It also means it can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes, with people adopting it for baking and using Cantal for sweet cookies and savoury waffles. This recipe for Cantal shortbreads, which are topped with a strong Roquefort cheese and butternut squash, is a great example of how a traditionally sweet recipe can work with savoury ingredients, and Cantal is the key to that.

How do you like your Cantal cheese?

Ultimately, Cantal is a mild tasting cheese, and this subtle change in flavour gives it a wide appeal. As a hard, crumbly cheese, it is best eaten with soft, white bread, rather than a crusty loaf, but however you eat it, you will enjoy the melt in the mouth quality which really indulges the tastebuds. So our recommendation is that Cantal cheese is worth the wait, and leaving it a few more days can get the best flavour out of it and allow you to enjoy the distinctive, rich aroma of a quality French cheese.

If Cantal is the French cheese for you, then contact our team at Sodiaal UK today and we can arrange for a supply to your café or restaurant.