The French Cheese Book

Written by the author of "Great British Cheese Book", this examines the full range of France's cheese and tells of the history and tradition of French cheesemaking, from its origins to the present, together with descriptions of over 800 different cheses. Also a traveller's guide book, it details the history, landscape and traditions of each area of France and includes maps plus road and location details. The author divides the France into 18 regions and guides the reader through each one. Every single cheese of every region is discussed from its appearance, texture, aroma and flavour to its origins, development and methods of making. Mixing anecdote with information gathered from his research, Rance presents cheesemaking as a vital part of rural France's traditional pattern of life, and examines the current state of the art. At the end of each chapter is a dictionary of the region's cheeses: details of making and where to locate and buy them.