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The Carré du Poitou

Carré du Poitou is a traditional cheese from Poitou, which is now part of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. As its name suggests, it is recognizable by its square shape. It is a soft goat’s-milk cheese that is one of the iconic cheese specialties of the Poitou and Charente regions.

With its melt-in-your-mouth texture and flavors that are at once lactic, goat-like, and slightly nutty, it’s a fascinating specialty to discover when you want to sample the region’s traditional products.

History and Origin

The Carré du Poitou originates from La Mothe-Saint-Héray, in the southern part of the Vienne department. Its production has expanded to several departments in the former Poitou-Charentes region, notably Vienne, Deux-Sèvres, Charente, and Charente-Maritime.

The cheese belongs to the family of soft goat cheeses. Its square shape, quite unique among French goat cheeses, naturally explains its name.

Characteristics

The Carré du Poitou is traditionally made with raw goat’s milk. Depending on the producer, its production involves milk, rennet, salt, and starter cultures; some versions also use ash or vegetable charcoal to give the rind its slightly grayish color.

It generally features:

  • a square shape;
  • a weight of about 250 g, depending on the producer;
  • a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture;
  • a white to slightly grayish or ash-colored rind;
  • a particularly soft texture at the center;
  • aromas of milk, straw, and goat;
  • fresh, creamy, and slightly nutty notes.

The aging process generally lasts several weeks. A period of about four weeks is often specified, while some farmhouse versions may be aged longer and become firmer and more distinctive.

Tasting

Carré du Poitou is best enjoyed at room temperature. It is therefore recommended to take it out of the refrigerator about an hour before serving to allow its aromas and texture to fully develop.

Its texture then becomes particularly supple and melt-in-your-mouth. On the palate, it offers a mild goat cheese flavor accompanied by lactic, creamy, and slightly nutty notes.

It can be enjoyed:

  • simply with fresh bread;
  • on a cheese platter;
  • with nuts or dried fruit;
  • paired with fresh fruit or jam;
  • with a dry white wine, which pairs well with its freshness and goat-cheese character.

Variations

The Carré du Poitou can vary depending on the producer and the length of aging.

A young cheese will generally be fresher, milder, and creamier. With longer aging, the texture may become denser and the goat-milk flavors more pronounced. The rind may also take on a grayer or ash-colored hue.

These differences allow you to discover various expressions of the same cheese and highlight the diversity of expertise among Poitou’s goat cheese producers.

Where can you find this specialty?

Since the Carré du Poitou is a fairly local product, it isn’t necessarily available all the time in every cheese shop. The best approach is therefore to ask the cheesemonger directly if they have any in stock or if they can order some.

In Angoulême, several cheese shops are worth checking out:

In the area around Angoulême, you can also look for local goat farmers and farm-direct sales, including:

However, it’s important to note that the availability of Carré du Poitou isn’t guaranteed at these locations: the available information helps identify local cheese shops and producers, but doesn’t confirm their current stock of Carré du Poitou. Direct sales at farms run by goat farmers who also make cheese and at local markets are also recommended for finding this specialty.

When can you find it?

Carré du Poitou is available over a relatively long period, from March through November. Its optimal tasting period is generally considered to be from May through August, after it has been aged.

To fully appreciate its flavor, late spring and summer are therefore particularly good times to enjoy it.

Conclusion

The Carré du Poitou is a cheese specialty that perfectly embodies the goat cheese expertise of the Poitou-Charentes region. With its unique shape, melt-in-your-mouth texture, and fresh goat cheese aromas, it is a cheese that is both simple and characteristic of the regional terroir, be sure to discover it in Angoulême and the surrounding area.

To discover it in the Angoulême region, local cheese shops and markets are your best bet. By prioritizing farm-direct producers and short supply chains, you can also explore different versions of the Carré du Poitou and compare their textures and levels of ripeness.

Finally, for the best tasting experience, it’s particularly worth seeking it out between May and August, when the cheese is traditionally considered to be at its peak.