Party pleaser extraordinaire
Extravagant is a triple cream cheese made by L’Artisan Organic in Mortlake, Victoria.
Head cheesemaker, Matthieu Megard, makes a range of cheeses using local organic cow’s milk and traditional French recipes. Moreover, this decadent cheese draws its inspiration from the most famous French triple cream cheese, Brillat-Savarin.
Double cream and triple cream are 2 very popular types of soft cheeses that originate from France. They are distinguished from other soft cheeses by the addition of cream to the milk during production. Having said this, the amount of cream added varies depending on the cheese.
What is a triple cream cheese?
The French dictate in their “cahiers de charge” (think of it as the regulating body’s recipe book) that a double cream will have between 60-75% butterfat content whereas a triple cream will have a minimum of 75% butterfat.
Actually, the butterfat percentage refers to the percentage of dry matter in the cheese that is fat. Because those cheeses are usually not pressed, they typically contain about 50% water. So, really, a triple cream is “only” around 37.5% butterfat.
As a result of the higher fat content, triple creams tend to have a softer, creamier texture with a milder, buttery flavour.
You can read more about triple cream cheeses in this article by The Cheese Wanker.
A fuzzy white rind
At 2 weeks, Extravagant is mild and creamy with a slightly chalky centre. It has a gorgeous fuzzy white mould rind. However, as it ages, it develops a little bit more bite and the texture becomes decadently oozy.
On the nose, this decadent soft cheese has hints of mushroom and cream. Moreover, its mouthfeel is buttery and velvety and its flavour mildly savoury with notes of hazelnut.
How to serve Extravagant
Serve at room temperature to achieve optimal texture and pair with strawberries and a glass of sparkling wine. We recommend Champagne!
