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Fermentation Atlas

Cheese from France, Normandy

Neufchâtel

Cow milk is renneted at 22–34 °C and left to curdle for 18–36 hours until the curd reaches pH 4.2–4.6. The curd drains in bags, is pressed lightly, kneaded into a paste, moulded into hearts, squares or cylinders and dry-salted, then ripens at least 10 days under a white bloomy rind. Made in 6 steps over 13 days – 14 days. The longest step, ripen under a white bloom, takes at least 10 days (INAO 2012) and runs at 10–14 °C (INAO 2012). Lactic cultures that set the curd and Penicillium candidum (white rind), added to the milk, the paste or the surface do most of the fermenting.

Key numbers
Main stepat least 10 daysSet[neuf-cdc]Ripen under a white bloom
Temperature10–14 °CSet[neuf-cdc]Ripen under a white bloom
AciditypH 4.2–4.6Set[neuf-cdc]Rennet and let the curd set slowly

Recipe

Amounts from a sourceThe rennet dose is the only amount the specification sets.
Cow milk · Farm: raw, used within 12 h of milking without warming. Dairy: may be pasteurised or thermised; fat may be standardised[neuf-cdc]
At most 3 ml per 100 l of milk (rennet at 520 mg chymosin per litre)Rennet[neuf-cdc]
Harmless cultures of bacteria, yeasts and moulds · Penicillium candidum may be added to the milk, the paste or the surface[neuf-cdc]
Dry salt · In the paste or on the surface of the moulded cheeses[neuf-cdc]
Starterlactic cultures; Penicillium candidum for the rind

Total time across the recorded steps: 13 days – 14 days

Start
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What changes: Starting material: cow milk from the Pays de Bray

Step 1 of 6
Collect the milk
Time
up to 2 days
Set
Temperature
Not documented
Salt
None given
Acidity
Not documented
Which microbes the steps name, step by step
Lactic acid bacteria
Penicillium candidum

Output: cow milk.

Flavour
Not documented
Texture
Not documented
Colour
white

Microbes at work in this step

raw-milk flora in farm cheese

Method

Measured measured in a studySet fixed by a specification or tested recipeReported one source reports itTypical a general value, not sourced for this fermentUnconfirmed not yet checked against a source

What makes this one different

Unlike most bloomy-rind cheeses, Neufchâtel's curd is drained in bags, pressed lightly and kneaded into a paste before moulding. Its curd sets slowly by acid over 18–36 hours, while Camembert is ladled whole into moulds. It comes in six set shapes, the heart the best known.

Milk
Cow milk; raw on farms, may be pasteurised or thermised in dairies
Ripening
At least 10 days from moulding at 10–14 °C and 90–100 % RH
Size
Heart: 8–9 cm from centre to point, at least 200 g; fat at least 45 g per 100 g dry matter

Related ferments

Variants

  • Cœur and grand cœurHeart shapes, at least 200 g and 600 g.
  • Bonde, double bonde, carré, briquetteCylinder, double cylinder, square and brick shapes.

Safety

Farm Neufchâtel is made from raw milk; the curd must reach pH 4.2–4.6.

Hazards the sources name: Listeria monocytogenes; the NHS advises cooking mould-ripened soft cheeses with a white rind in pregnancy.

History and sources

Every number is labelled with how it is known. How this atlas is made

  1. [neuf-cdc] INAO, Cahier des charges de l'appellation d'origine « Neufchâtel », version submitted to national opposition (2012 file; changes marked in bold)spec
  2. [nhs-preg] NHS (UK), Foods to avoid in pregnancy (cheese section)gov