OSSAU-IRATY PDO CHEESE UNION Cheese Dairy in Ostabat-Asme

AOP OSSAU-IRATY
WELCOME TO THE LAND OF SHEEP

The Ossau-Iraty AOP is the only cheese AOP in the South of the Garonne.

It celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2020. Its production area extends from Béarn to the Basque Country, and moreover takes its name from the Pic du Midi d'Ossau (in Béarn) and the Iraty forest (in Pays Basque).

Its manufacturing is closely linked to the history of Béarn and the Basque Country. We have found writings on sheep's cheese in this region since the 1st century! The tradition of sheep's cheese has been established over the centuries and today the AOP Ossau-Iraty is emblematic of know-how anchored in this beautiful territory.

Its production is guided by a key word: RESPECT!

Respect for the land, people, know-how and, of course, respect for nature and animal welfare.

AOP Ossau-Iraty is an uncooked pressed whole sheep's milk cheese.
It can be made from raw milk or thermized milk. With a rather light and homogeneous or spotted natural rind, a white paste with few or no openings, a supple and melting texture, even creamy, it has a light and balanced taste. After a long maturation, its aromas assert themselves and its texture becomes firmer without excess.

It is made with the milk of 3 local, traditional sheep breeds.

These are Basco Béarnaise, Manech Tête Rousse and Manech Tête Noire.

Perfectly adapted to the terroir, they are able to withstand humidity. They spend most of the year outside grazing on pasture grass. A food supplemented with non-GMO cereals and oilseeds grown mainly in the PDO geographical area. To respect their natural cycle, the ewes are only milked for part of the year (between December and August maximum). Milking stops for a minimum of 100 days awaiting the arrival of the new lamb and the start of a new cycle. From June, most herds are taken to higher altitudes. This summer transhumance offers the sheep an incredibly rich flora. In the fall, many festivals are organized to celebrate the return of the sheep to the valleys.

The AOP Ossau-Iraty represents a whole sector of men and women passionate about their profession.

It has 1,105 milk producers, 166 farm producers, 24 collection companies; dairy and or farm processing and refining. In total, nearly 2,000 families live in Ossau-Iraty and contribute to the dynamism of the region.

How do you recognize an Ossau Iraty AOP?

The entire tomme will be presented with a gold and red headband.
And a hallmark allows you to distinguish farmers from dairymen.

• Sheep's head from the front = AOP Ossau-Iraty farmer (only raw milk)
• Sheep's head in profile = AOP Ossau-Iraty dairy cheese (from raw or heat-treated milk)
• Sheep's head in profile = AOP Ossau-Iraty dairy cheese (from raw or heat-treated milk)

The manufacturing rules are strict and respect specifications.

Every year, an independent Certifying Body visits the operators in the sector to verify compliance with the specifications. The Ossau-Iraty Union also carries out numerous inspection visits. In the event of non-compliance, and if the operator does not rectify his situation within a given period, he is excluded from the Ossau-Iraty AOP. Likewise, batches of cheese are taken each year from producers and subjected to organoleptic and physicochemical tests.

In the event of lasting non-compliance, the operator may be excluded.

You understand: there are a lot of things to tell about the AOP Ossau-Iraty!

Do you want to get closer to the producers of Ossau-Iraty? Discover the Ossau-Iraty cheese route and its 125 stages. 2024 guide with all the addresses and activities to download here. It is also available in the tourist offices of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, in the stages and at the headquarters of the defense union of the AOP Ossau-Iraty.

There are several types of steps; some offer specific activities.

• The farms where you will meet producers who, depending on the season and their availability, may invite you to visit their farm, witness milking, observe the work of the shepherd dog, etc.

• The cheese factories where the Ossau-Iraty dairy AOP is made

• The maturing cellars where dairy and farm cheeses are matured

• The summer huts where you can meet the shepherds with their flock in the heart of the mountains (open between the end of May and the beginning of October)

• Farm producer stores which offer a diversity of local products

• The interpretation center in Espelette and Etxola in Iraty where you will discover all the secrets of the appellation and pastoralism

Ossau-Iraty Union - Maison Apezetxea - 215 Latsagako bidea - 64120 OSTABAT-ASME

Administrative office. The public is welcomed at the Interpretation Center in Espelette.