Chabichou du Poitou is named for the diminutive word for goat in the Poitevin dialect of the upper Loire Valley. This little drum-shaped French gourmet cheese is best bought during the summer and early fall. However, the creamery-made pasteurized versions of Chabichou du Poitou, the version we sell, are also very good and widely available throughout the year.
Chabichou du Poitou has a natural beige rind which occasionally develops a little blue mottling as it ripens. The white paste is firm and chewy when Chabichou du Poitou is young, but ripens to a moist, almost spreadable, texture. The taste moves from mild and sweet to a much more nutty and piquant flavor when Chabichou du Poitou is older. All Chabichou du Poitou cheeses have quite a "goaty" aroma.
The French gourmet cheese Crottin de Chavignol is similar to Chabichou de Poitou.