French cheese habits change in times of crisis (VIDEO)

The average Frenchman consumes 27 kg of cheese per year. About 90% of French people eat cheese at least once a week, and 40% once a day. As for varieties, everyone has their favorite. Judging by sales volumes, in 2022 the top three looked like this: Emmental, Camembert, raclette cheese. They are followed by mozzarella, aged goat cheeses, Comté and Coulommier. The popularity of emmenthal is explained by the fact that it is widely used in cooking.

Cheese sales overall were down 3.3% in 2022 compared to 2021. However, this did not apply to cow’s milk cheeses. Another important point is the decline in the popularity of departments where cheese is sold by weight. In order to save time and money, consumers prefer to buy cheese already packaged in self-service departments.

The French classification of cheese by milk type includes four categories:

Cow’s milk cheeses are the most common category of cheese in France and include many different varieties. Some of the most famous cow’s milk cheeses include Comté, Cantal, Morbier and Mont d’Or.

Goat’s milk cheeses – This category includes cheeses that are made from goat’s milk. Goat cheeses have a delicate, creamy taste and aroma, often with notes of herbal freshness. Some of the most famous goat cheeses in France are Chevre, Chabichoux du Poitou, Rocamadour, Crottin de Chavignoles.

Sheep’s milk cheeses are a category of cheeses made from sheep’s milk. Sheep cheeses have a rich taste and aroma, as well as a characteristic creamy shade. Some of the most famous sheep cheeses in France are Brebie Basque, Roquefort.

Mixed milk cheeses are a category of cheeses that are made from a combination of milk from several animals. These cheeses can be made from various combinations of milk, such as cow and goat or cow and sheep.