Feel like eating local? How about filling your plate with Quebec cheeses! Their reputation precedes them, and with good reason: brie, camembert, cheddar, gouda, mozzarella, parmesan, raclette, ricotta, Saint-Paulin, Swiss, and so many more varieties line grocery store shelves across the province, much to consumers’ delight. And they’re all just as good (if not better!) than their European counterparts! Spread across 14 regions, Quebec’s cheese shops produce excellent fresh, soft, semi-soft, firm, and marbled cheeses made from cow’s, goat’s, and sheep’s milk. It comes as no surprise that many of them have received numerous awards and distinctions, both locally and abroad!
Discover 5 Quebec cheese shops that produce refined, quality products you’re going to want to add to your menu.
Fritz Kaiser Cheese: Quebec cheese and the renowned know-how of the Swiss
Fritz Kaiser cheeses are ripened and washed on pine boards for weeks, even months. One such cheese is the Tomme de Monsieur Séguin, made from half cow’s milk and half goat’s milk, available at IGA. Originally from Switzerland, Mr. Kaiser infuses his Quebec-made cheeses with traditional Swiss know-how.
To discover how the famous Tomme is made, click here.
Saint-Benoît-du-Lac Abbey: delicious cheese made by monks!
When they first started making cheese in 1943, the Abbey monks made only one variety of blue cheese: l’Ermite. Then, little by little, other products were added, including Frère Jacques, a firm cheese that won 2nd prize at the British Empire Show . . . twice! Today, the cheese shop offers 12 different types of cheese, as well as cider made from apples on the estate, and jams and spreads that taste divine! Amen!
Fromagerie de L’Isle-aux-Grues: a Quebec cheese shop like no other
A unique place with an island microclimate, L’Isle-aux-Grues has been producing artisanal cheeses since 1900. Several decades later, Fromagerie de L’Isle-aux-Grues, the biggest artisanal cheese factory in Canada, was born. The factory, located some 75 km from Québec City and cradled by the St. Lawrence River, produces authentic masterpieces, like the Riopelle de L’Isle, an award-winning triple cream cheese made from unpasteurized milk. Make sure to also try the factory’s various washed rind firm cheeses.
Fromagerie Rang 9: eco-friendly cheeses
Young and innovative, Fromagerie Rang 9 produces their cheeses by leaving behind as little carbon footprint as possible. They use whole milk hailing from local farms, with the goal of keeping their distribution chain short and reducing emissions. Plus, they recycle their plant’s waste. This family-run artisanal cheese factory makes delicious cheeses like Le Ballot, available at IGA. Le Ballot stands out for the thin layer of vegetable ash that is visible across its surface (resembling a hay bale) and its fresh buttery taste.
Fromagerie Blackburn: the joys of discovery
Warm and inviting, Jonquière’s Fromagerie Blackburn proudly offers visitors a taste of their delicious cheeses the moment they step foot inside the boutique. An immense window overlooks the factory, where visitors can learn all about how the seven artisanal cheeses are made. One of their must-try cheeses is the Mont-Jacob, recipient of several World Cheese Awards. Discover the unique flavours of Fromagerie Blackburn cheeses!
To learn more about how Fromagerie Blackburn makes their cheeses, watch this video.
A cheese platter for dinner
Why not put together a platter of Quebec cheeses with dried fruit, nuts, and a few slices of Quebec deli meat for dinner? Served with a fresh baguette or crackers, it makes for a tasty and gourmet meal. A quick and easy dinner idea that requires no cooking and dirties almost no dishes!
To learn how to put together a cheese platter (with the right quantities) and pair it with wine or beer, read this handy article.