Ossau-Iraty

Ossau-Iraty stands as a firm, uncooked pressed cheese from the Basque Country, made exclusively from milk of local Manech and Basco-Bearnaise sheep breeds, yielding a dense paste with sweet, nutty notes and hints of dried fruit. Aged for at least 80 days, it contains 50% milk fat and develops a smooth texture that outperforms #7 Morbier in firmness and nuttiness. With a production volume of 4,500 tons annually, it is more widely available than the average sheep cheese, yet its flavor is less pungent than #6 Epoisses, making it a balanced choice for pairing with dried fruits or hearty breads. Its AOP certification ensures strict adherence to traditional methods, solidifying its reputation as a benchmark for alpine-style ewe milk cheeses.