Ossau Iraty AOP

Basque cheese making traditions date back at least 4000 years. Onetik is the largest dairy cooperative in the French Basque region collecting milk from 250 dairies across the Ossau Valley and Iraty Forest. Only milk from the local breeds of sheep – Manech and Basco-Bearnaise and traditional techniques can be used under PDO conditions.

An uncooked, pressed curd cheese, the rind is washed and hand salted during six months maturation which encourages a hard crusty rind. It develops a succulent firm texture and complex flavour, developing notes of hazelnut and a slightly sweet finish.