Tomme Chistera, sheep's and goat's milk, Pyrénées, France - 8oz/Cut

Tomme Chistera is a distinctive mixed-milk cheese from the Pyrénées-Atlantiques in southwestern France. It combines the richness of sheep’s milk with the brighter, tangier character of goat’s milk. It belongs to the traditional family of Pyrenean tommes and is generally approachable and mellow rather than intense. 

Chistera is a pasteurized, uncooked pressed cheese (pâte pressée non cuite) with a natural, dry rind and an ivory interior. Recipes can vary somewhat by producer, but commercial specifications show sheep’s milk as the majority, with goat’s milk making up the remainder.

The cheese is matured for around 8–10 weeks or longer, during which the paste develops a supple, smooth consistency while remaining pleasantly melting on the palate. The rind becomes rustic and beige to golden as it matures.

Recommended pairings: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Chenin Blanc