Food Encyclopedia

Neufchâtel

1. The French original, hailing from the town of Neufchâtel in the region of Normandy, is a soft, white, unripened cheese made from raw or pasteurized cow's milk. It undergoes ripening for a minimum of 10 days, but often for 4 weeks or more. When young, the flavor of Neufchâtel is slightly salty but delicate and mild. It becomes more pungent with age. Neufchâtel is available in a variety of shapes—square, rectangular, cylindrical and the special heart-shape variety called Coeur de Bray. 2. For information on the American version of Neufchatel, see cream cheese.