Camembert is a soft, aged cheese that goes well with crusty breads,
fruits, and cappuccino.
This soft, aged cheese is made in small flat wheels that are similar to Brie in appearance;
it has a slightly bitter, delicate, salty flavor and a soft, edible rind. The historic cheeses
of Camembert are documented in 18th-century French records and literature. Today,
Camembert-type cheese is manufactured worldwide.
Traditional Camembert is made in Normandy from fresh, raw cows’ milk. A three-day
process initiates the cheese preparation, during which the milk is ladled into molds, rennet
and distinctive bacteria are added, and the cheese mixture is salted. Penicillium
camemberti or Penicillium candidium are the bacteria that produce the
characteristic edible and velvety white or light gray mold of the rind. The cheese is aged for
a little more than two weeks, and is then ready for market. The ingredients and methods of
production are regulated by French government standards.
Varieties
Although “Camembert” is not a trademark, the Camembert de
Normandie version is, like a wine variety, a name-protected by the French government; the
individual cheeses are marked with an AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée)
insignia. Camembert-type cheeses made in the United States have a slightly different flavor as
they must by law use pasteurized milk.
Buying and storing tips
The softer the cheese, the more perishable it is. Ripe Camembert,
carefully refrigerated, keeps for just a few days. Due to concerns about Listeria
bacteria, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that unpasteurized, soft, aged
cheeses should not be eaten by children, older people, or those with compromised immune
systems.
Availability
Camembert is widely available in health food stores, specialty
stores, and markets.
Preparation, uses, and tips
Camembert goes well with a variety of foods, especially fresh fruits like sweet
berries or grapes, warm crusty bread, cappuccino,
red wines, and apple cider. It makes and enjoyable treat when baked in a pastry crust.
Nutritional Highlights
Camembert, 1 wedge (1.33 oz.) (37.6g)
Calories: 114
Protein: 7.5g
Carbohydrate: 0.17g
Total Fat: 9.2g
Fiber: 0.0g
*Good source of: Calcium (147mg)
*Foods that are an “excellent source” of a particular
nutrient provide 20% or more of the Recommended Daily Value, based upon United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines. Foods that are a “good source” of a
particular nutrient provide between 10 and 20% of the USDA Recommended Daily Value.
Nutritional information and daily nutritional guidelines may vary in different countries.
Please consult the appropriate organization in your country for specific nutritional values
and the recommended daily guidelines.
Copyright © 2002 Healthnotes, Inc. All rights
reserved. www.healthnotes.com
Learn more about Healthnotes, the company.
Learn more about the authors of
Foodnotes.
The information presented in Foodnotes is for informational
purposes only and was created by a team of U.S. registered dietitians and food experts.
Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using
any supplements, making dietary changes, or before making any changes in prescribed
medications. Information expires December 2003.
|
