-
France issues new cheese alert following earlier mass recall
Fears of E.coli outbreak has led to recall of several more products
-
Comment: Visitors battle to open shutters but I know better
Columnist Samantha David notes that unlike her sun-searching relatives she has embraced the use of shutters to keep her home cool
-
Massive supermarket cheese recall could be linked to two deaths
Over 20 people have been diagnosed with listeriosis potentially linked to recalled products
Craving Stilton - where are all the French blue cheeses?
No-one can deny France is ‘good at cheese’ but when it comes to blue, you cannot beat the British

Regarding your recent request for comments about English cheese overtaking French in terms of variety, I heard the same story some 20 years ago visiting the specialist cheese shop in Covent Garden, London, with my (then) new French wife.
Read more: Suggestions for French alternatives to popular British food
Read more: How I changed career: Banker to cheesemonger in France
I recall my wife pointing out somewhat defensively at the time that “many English ones are just variations of Cheddar” (with apricot, cognac, or whatever).
While the story may be true, it is certainly my observation that there is generally a greater selection of cheeses available in a French supermarket than an English one.
This is possibly because many of the English varieties are too low a production and without a sufficient customer base to be taken up by the big chains.
However, the place where I feel the French are sadly lacking is in the blue cheese arena.
They have nothing like a good Stilton or Shropshire Blue.
I recall my wife being shocked when I searched for ‘blue brie’ in France.
I was sure I had bought it in England.
Later I discovered it is more often called Cambozola and is usually from Bavaria.
Michael TURNER-SAMUELS, by email
Share a point of view on an aspect of French life at letters@connexionfrance.com The Connexion, Le Grande Bretagne, 30 av. Grande Bretagne, 98000 Monaco
Please include your name and department of France or country where you live. Letters used may be edited for space and sense; the Editor’s decision is final. Letters received may be used online and/or in print.
Related articles
Say fromage! The best cheeses for National Cheese Day in France