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Sèvre & Belle
Image by Sèvre & Belle via their website.
Located in Celles-sur-Belle, a small town in the south of Deux-Sèvres, France, the Sèvre & Belle was founded in 1893 as a part of the la Coopérative Laitière de la Sèvre, alongside the esteemed Echiré and Atelier de la Sèvre brands. Sèvre & Belle has evolved from a humble dairy cooperative into an internationally renowned purveyor of exceptional cheeses and butter.
History
The journey of Sèvre & Belle is intertwined with the transformation of the Deux-Sèvres region. Originally known for its wine production, the area faced a significant setback with the phylloxera blight of 1880, leading to the ruin of vine stocks and prompting a shift to milk production. The Vendéens played a crucial role in forging this new economy, laying the foundation for the Coopérative Laitière de la Sèvre, which later gave birth to the Sèvre & Belle brand in 1893.
Cooperative Spirit
Sèvre & Belle is an integral part of the Coopérative Laitière de la Sèvre, comprising more than 60 cow’s milk producers and over 50 goat’s milk producers, all situated in close proximity to the cheese dairy. This close-knit cooperative operates on a human scale, embodying a sense of unity and shared values that make it more than just a business—it is one big family.
Product Range
Sèvre & Belle takes pride in its diverse product range, showcasing the mastery of traditional dairy techniques. The brand produces ladle-moulded raw milk goat cheese, raw milk butter, fresh milk, thick cream, pasteurized, and raw goat cheese. Each product reflects the brand's commitment to quality, emphasizing the use of natural ingredients without preservatives or additives.
The ladle-moulded goats milk cheese from Sèvre & Belle is a masterpiece of slow maturation, where the addition of Grand Levain and renneting take place in basins. The meticulous process involves no preservatives or additives, with certain raw cheeses molded using a ladle. Slow draining and careful ripening by master cheese makers in dedicated rooms further contribute to the distinctive characteristics of Sèvre & Belle cheeses.
Sèvre & Belle's raw milk traditional butter is a testament to the brand's commitment to excellence. Produced exclusively with milk cream from cooperative members near the creamery, the butter undergoes a slow biological maturation phase, imparting it with a special character that sets it apart.
Sèvre & Belle cheeses have gained international acclaim, thanks to the brand's dedication to using high-quality milk and preserving time-honored techniques passed down through generations. Whether raw or pasteurized, natural or ashy, each cheese encapsulates the unique flavors of the French terroir.
Sèvre & Belle's journey from a small dairy cooperative to an internationally acclaimed brand is a story of resilience, tradition, and quality. Rooted in the cooperative spirit and guided by time-honored techniques, Sèvre & Belle brings the flavors of a unique French terroir to tables worldwide.