Comté is a very popular hard cheese made with unpasteurised cow’s milk from the Jura mountains in the east of France. It has a long 1000 year history and is the largest of the Protected designation of origin (PDO) cheeses made in France. Amongst the strict controls over its production Comté must only be made with the milk of Montbéliarde or French Simmental cows (or cross breeds of the two) and there must not be more than 1.3 cows per hectare.
The cheese is produced in large wheels up to 55kg with a dusty brown rind enclosing a pale creamy yellow cheese. Although a hard cheese it has flexibility and a slightly sweet, nutty, mild taste. Incredibly versatile, Comté can be used in a wide range of dishes including fondues, gratin, toasted sandwiches and creamy soups but is delicious on its own.

