Le Pico Germain

Le Pico Germain

Le Pico Germain is a washed rind cheese from the French countryside, with a slightly downy rind and a center that keeps changing as it matures. Young, it is mild and creamy at the surface; as it sits, the paste softens toward a firm, melty middle.

Why you'll love it

• Washed rind — tended as the cheese matures, which is where the character comes from
• Creamy surface — soft right under the rind where the flavor concentrates
• Firm, melty center — a paste that loosens as the cheese ages
• Mild and authentic — gentle enough for a first washed rind, with a quiet tang
• French farmhouse style — made in the way of the French terroirs

How to enjoy Serve it at room temperature with a crusty baguette and something crisp and acidic alongside, like cornichons or a green apple. A dry white from the Loire keeps it in balance.

A gentle introduction to washed rinds, and a good one to keep for the people who insist they do not like them.